Growing up, Tara Roberts always wanted to be an adventurer. Roberts, who is now explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society, has spent years traveling across four continents to learn more about transatlantic slave trade wreckage.
It’s work she believes her ancestors called her to do and a topic she explores on her podcast, “Into the Depths,” which follows a team of Black divers on a quest to explore the complex history of the global slave trade.
On Monday, Roberts, who was a previous guest on “Closer Look”, returned to the program to discuss her new memoir, “Written in the Waters: A Memoir of History, Home, and Belonging.” In the book, Roberts writes about personal truths, Black identity and her experiences as a diver and researcher.
During the conversation, the podcasster spoke with show host Rose Scott about why she feels it’s important to dig up Black history, honor it and memorialize in order to heal. She also talked about the power and agency she feels while underwater.
Research shows that 12,000 ships brought over 12.5 million Africans to the Americas, and it’s estimated 1,000 ships wrecked. However, Roberts says about 20 of those ships have been discovered and even fewer of them have been properly documented.
