How a single decision made a century ago split a family in half by race

NPR | By Tonya Mosley

Published June 3, 2026 at 12:31 PM EDT

Pope Leo's Black family roots inspired journalist Susan Saulny to research her Creole great-uncle who moved to Chicago, became white and didn't return. She describes her journey to reunite her family.

Tonya Mosley

Tonya Mosley is the LA-based co-host of Here & Now, a midday radio show co-produced by NPR and WBUR. She's also the host of the podcast Truth Be Told.

See stories by Tonya Mosley

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