Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North

History books tell us that American slave trading was strictly Southern business. But history was turned upside down for filmmaker Katrina Browne when she suddenly found out her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history—and that her family's prestige and wealth was tied to human trafficking.

In her P.O.V. documentary, Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North—airing on MPT January 27 at 10 p.m.—Browne and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain a powerful new perspective on the black/white divide.

On the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the historic inauguration of America's first African American president, MPT and a distinguished group of panelists will discuss if racial healing is possible in America Sunday, January 18 at 4:30 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture in downtown Baltimore.

The event—held in conjunction with the broadcast premiere of Traces of the Trade—is free (but an RSVP is required; call 443-263-1875 to book your spot!), and part of MPT’s ongoing Campaign for Love & Forgiveness.

Dr. David Terry, executive director of the Lewis Museum, will head the discussion with a distinguished roster of panelists, and special guest Tom DeWolf, author of Inheriting the Trade and family member featured in the film, will also be available to provide insight into the documentary and answer questions from the audience.

If we haven't grabbed your attention just yet, check out the clip above. We hope to see you there!