Note: This program is a rebroadcast. It originally aired May 2, 2016.
Michelle Lanier鈥檚 roots in North Carolina are so deep that she describes 鈥渆very branch of her family tree having at least a sapling that crosses into the state.鈥� She has a great-grandparent who preached at the oldest black Episcopal church in the state, one who was salesmen on Durham鈥檚 , and one who helped establish the state鈥檚 first black high school.
'One of the reasons I am on this earth is to bear witness to the stories of others'
From a young age, Michelle Lanier has been curious about her roots and how history and culture shape the world around her. She did a monologue on Rosa Parks in 5th grade, attended a makeshift weekend school on African-American history in high school, and was mentored by important leaders in . In her adult life, she has turned her deep curiosity about the world into a profession. She has served as the curator of multicultural initiatives for the state鈥檚 historic sites, taught classes about , and now directs the .
Host Frank Stasio talks with Michelle Lanier about the forces that shape her, and how she aims to continue her family鈥檚 legacy of civic engagement in North Carolina.
