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.

📚 Grab your copy and support local indie bookstores through bookshop.org/shop/larosareads
📩 DM your thoughts on Instagram: @larosareads

🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the podcast!

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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

🔔 Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to Rooted in Story, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it.