Lee Hawkins

Lee Hawkins is an American investigative journalist and author, who was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2022. His work documents the lives of Black American descendants of slavery and survivors of Jim Crow, focusing on the intergenerational impact of racial violence and racism on their families. His reporting addresses individuals affected by multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences, exploring childhood trauma and its long-term effects on health and life expectancy. Hawkins's speeches examine the enduring impact of slavery, Jim Crow segregation, and integration on the Black family and America as a whole. He aims to facilitate truth, reconciliation, and healing between Black and white families with legacies on opposite sides of slavery, drawing on his experiences with his newly discovered white cousins. His forthcoming book, NOBODY’S SLAVE: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free (HarperCollins, January 2025), is an introspective journey into his family history, tracing its roots back to pre-Revolutionary America. Utilizing genetic testing, investigative reporting, and historical documentation, Mr. Hawkins explores 400 years of his family’s lineage, revealing the intertwined lives of Black and white families, their resilience, sufferings, and the impact of historical trauma. This personal exploration serves as a broader commentary on the significance of genealogical research in healing and bridging racial divides in contemporary America. Mr. Hawkins is the series creator, co-executive producer, and host of the forthcoming podcast ‘What Happened in Alabama?’ for American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio.