Fanbase Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, recently hosted an insightful discussion with Tara Roberts, the National Geographic Explorer featured in the upcoming documentary Clotilda: The Return Home. This documentary, set to air on June 17th on Disney+, unveils the untold story of the last American survivors of the Clotilda ship, Kossola Oluale and Gumpa Lee, in remembrance of Juneteenth.
Clotilda: The Return Home – A Journey of Resilience and Connection
The Clotilda, a slave ship that wrecked in Mobile, Alabama in the 1800s, was rediscovered in 2018. This ship carried the last known survivors of the transatlantic slave trade to the United States. Some of those survivors went on to establish a thriving community in Mobile—one that still exists today.
The new documentary Clotilda: The Return Home follows the descendants of two survivors as they symbolically return the spirits of their ancestors to Africa. It’s a powerful narrative of resilience, homecoming, and cultural connection.
Filmmaker Roberts has been involved with this story for over six years. Her journey began when she saw a striking photograph at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The image showed Black women in wetsuits on a boat. They were members of Diving With a Purpose, an organization of Black scuba divers dedicated to locating and documenting slave shipwrecks around the world. Inspired by their mission, Roberts joined them and began filming their work.
“In 2019, the Clotilda was found, making it the only known slave ship where the descendants know the stories of their ancestors,” Roberts explained.
This made the discovery uniquely significant. Roberts has since devoted herself to telling this story and preserving its history.
The film’s release around Juneteenth adds to its impact. Juneteenth marks the delayed announcement of emancipation to enslaved people in Texas, symbolizing the long-overdue recognition of freedom. Similarly, Clotilda: The Return Home revives a long-buried story, celebrating the strength and spirit of the African American community.
“When I am below the surface and I am looking at an artifact of the past that can’t be denied, I feel such a sense of agency, of power, of connection to the past,” Roberts said.
The documentary also shines a light on Africatown, the community founded by Clotilda survivors. It stands as proof of extraordinary resilience, resourcefulness, and unity.
“We come from a resilient, resourceful, and brilliant stock, and let’s give honor to them,” Roberts shared.
Roberts, an award-winning writer and storyteller, has spent years exploring the origin stories of Africans in the Americas. Her work earned her recognition as the 2022 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year.
One of the film’s most emotional moments occurs when descendants visit a graveyard carrying representations of their ancestors.
“It felt purposeful, like we were here to do a job that would make a difference for these ancestors,” Roberts reflected.
Clotilda: The Return Home is more than a documentary—it’s a journey of cultural reconnection and pride.
“I hope people come away thinking, ‘Oh my goodness. We’re not a sad people. We come from extraordinary individuals,’” Roberts concluded.
The film premieres June 17 on Disney+ and serves as a moving reminder of the power of history and the enduring legacy of African American resilience.
RECOMMENDED
“For People Who Value Content And Community, Fanbase Is The Next-Generation Social Creator Hub That Allows Any User To Earn Money From Day One. Unlike Other Social Apps, Fanbase Is The One Place You Can Truly Be You. Without Limits.To download Fanbase on iOs click hereTo download on Android click here
