Shomari Wills, author of "Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Escaped Slavery and Became Millionaires." discusses the fascinating stories and explores the underlying values of the individuals who overcame tremendous challenges to succeed and transform post-Civil War America. We also talk about Shomari's own journey writing the book.

Shomari Wills is a journalist. He has worked for One Caribbean Television as a reporter, CNN where he served as a producer for Don Lemon, and Good Morning America where he won an Emmy as a producer. He has also contributed Slate and Vice. Currently he is developing a TV adaption of Black Fortunes with Dear White People producer Stephanie Allain. He is also hard at work writing a follow up to Black Fortunes and a young adult book. Shomari received an undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and a graduate degree from Columbia University, where he was named a Lynton Book Writing Fellow. Shomari was born and raised in Washington DC and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

This interview is part two of the Fortunes show, see part one with Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant, Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at the University of Vermont. Both interviews are inspired by "To Sing of Common Things: Making A Way Out of No Way," an even series moderated by Dr. Heading-Grant at the Clemmons Family Farm.

To learn more: clemmonsfamilyfarm.org