Rooted in Story - Exploring the stories that ground us

A powerful, human-centered story set during the Tulsa Race Massacre. Vanessa Miller brings this devastating event in American history to life by centering characters inspired by real people. It’s a reminder that behind every historical tragedy are human beings — mothers, fathers, sisters, grandmothers — who lived it.

📚 Grab your copy of The Filling Station through ⁠⁠⁠LaRosa Reads on Bookshop⁠⁠⁠ to support indie bookstores.

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Black love at its finest. Myah Ariel delivers sensual romance layered with real-life struggles. We talk about Ella Simone, a superstar wrestling with insecurities, and Miles, the gorgeous pro athlete who proves he’s more than just his looks. Plot holes aside, this one is a delightful, vulnerable, and necessary addition to the Black romance canon.

📚 Grab your copy of No Ordinary Love through ⁠⁠LaRosa Reads on Bookshop⁠⁠ to support indie bookstores.

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A swoony, lyrical romance set against the backdrop of country music’s Black roots. We dive into the history of Black musicians in country music, today’s mainstream breakthroughs with Beyoncé, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell, and others, and how Regina Black blends generational complexities, romance, and trauma into a unique love story.

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Poetry, pain, and possibility. We explore Tupac’s iconic collection through the lens of resilience, voice, and the power of storytelling. These poems remind us that even in the harshest environments, beauty can grow — and thrive.

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What happens when pain becomes purpose? In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Denise LaRosa reflects on An Unspeakable Hope by Leon Ford—a powerful memoir that chronicles Ford’s life after a violent act of police brutality left him paralyzed at the age of 19.

As a Black woman, mother, and diversity practitioner, Dr. LaRosa shares how Leon’s story of resilience, radical love, and healing struck a chord on both personal and professional levels. She explores the book’s themes of trauma, transformation, and truth-telling, and highlights how An Unspeakable Hope offers a blueprint for justice, healing, and community change.

💬 Tune in to hear why this is the most important book Dr. LaRosa has read for the times we’re living in—and how Leon Ford’s story continues to shape a more compassionate future.

📚 Grab your copy of An Unspeakable Hope through LaRosa Reads on Bookshop to support indie bookstores.
💛 Support the work of The Hear Foundation, co-founded by Leon Ford.
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What happens when history isn’t passed down, but buried? In this episode of Rooted in Story, Dr. Denise LaRosa explores Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez—a dual-timeline novel that shines a powerful light on the loss of generational wealth and generational memory for Black Americans.

With narratives from Luella and Nikki, this novel is a stunning meditation on land, legacy, and the stories that often go untold. As a Black woman currently journeying through the South to retrace the footsteps of ancestors and civil rights heroes, Dr. LaRosa reflects on how this novel hits home—and how it reminds us that discovering our roots is both personal and political.

✨ Whether you’ve read Happy Land or are adding it to your TBR, this episode will leave you inspired to ask questions, recover truths, and reconnect with your own lineage.

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What happens when the stories of trailblazing Black ballerinas are left out of history books, dance studios, and our cultural memory? In this episode of Rooted in Story, Dr. Denise LaRosa—a former professional dancer with a deep love for ballet—dives into The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby, a powerful reclamation of five extraordinary women who defied the odds and danced their way into history under the banner of Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theatre of Harlem.

With heartfelt reflection and informed insight, Dr. LaRosa explores the beauty, brilliance, and heartbreak woven into the lives of these unsung artists—and how their legacy reshapes the story of ballet in America. She also reckons with the complexities of Arthur Mitchell’s leadership and the ways we can hold space for imperfect visionaries while demanding more for future generations of dancers.

Whether you’re a dancer, a reader, or someone passionate about unearthing the stories that shape us, this episode invites you to reflect, learn, and spread the word.

📚 Want to read The Swans of Harlem and support local bookstores at the same time? Purchase your copy through my Bookshop store: bookshop.org/shop/larosareads

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Black hair is more than just hair—it’s history, identity, and resistance. In this episode of Rooted in Story, we’re diving into Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture by Emma Dabiri. This book unpacks the complex social, political, and cultural forces that have shaped Black hair narratives for centuries.

From Eurocentric beauty standards to the power of natural hair movements, Twisted challenges us to rethink what we’ve been taught about Black hair and its significance. Let’s explore the deep-rooted history, personal connections, and ongoing fight for self-expression woven into every curl and coil.

Diane Oliver’s Neighbors and Other Stories is a brilliant yet overlooked collection that offers a powerful glimpse into Black life in the 1960s. Though her life was tragically cut short, Oliver’s writing remains riveting, deeply rooted in its time, and reflective of the struggles and complexities of race, class, and identity.

In this episode of Rooted in Story, we’re uncovering why Diane Oliver’s work deserves more recognition and how her short stories continue to resonate today. If you love discovering underappreciated literary voices, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.

Few novels capture the profound, generational impact of enslavement like Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. This sweeping, multi-generational saga follows two sisters—one sold into slavery, the other remaining in Ghana—and traces the ripple effects of their fates across centuries.

In this episode of Rooted in Story, I reflect on how Gyasi’s storytelling is layered, nuanced, and deeply human. As a Black woman, I was both captivated and devastated by the journey of these families and the haunting legacy of history. And that ending? Breathtaking. Let’s unpack this powerful novel and sit with the truths it reveals about Black America.