Gayle Jessup White has American history running through her veins. Her family tree traces back to Thomas Jefferson, our third president.
It also traces back to Sally Hemings, Jefferson's slave who gave birth to six children likely fathered by Jefferson. It took decades for Gayle to make these connections, and to process what they mean to her and her family.
Now, she works at Monticello, Jefferson's home, where part of her job as community engagement officer is to tell her story as a way to tell America's story.
Let's keep the conversation going. Send a tweet to @tommytomlinson or @wfae, and use the hashtag #WFAESouthBound. You can also email me at ttomlinson@wfae.org.
New episodes of SouthBound will come out every other week on Wednesday. Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts Google Play Stitcher NPR One
SouthBound is a production of WFAE. Our host is Tommy Tomlinson. Our producer is Nick de la Canal. Our audience engagement producer is Joni Deutsch, and our theme music comes from Josh Turner.