Join “Art of Controversy” series host and popular podcaster, Gloria Purvis, as she engages New York Times Journalist, author, and NYU Professor, Rachel L. Swarns in conversation about her new book, The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build The American Catholic Church. The book tells the harrowing story of how, in 1838, a group of prominent Jesuits sold 272 enslaved people to financially save their biggest mission project, what is now Georgetown University. Purvis and Swarns will be joined by a member of the current Georgetown community to discuss how the university is trying to address this dark chapter of its history and bring hope, healing, and restitution to descendants of the 272.

Swarns will be joined virtually by Monique Trusclair Maddox, the Board Chair and CEO of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation. Also joining her virtually is Fr. Timothy Kesicki, S.J., President of The Jesuit Conference of Canada and The United States who is a frequent contributor to CNN and CNBC.