From These Roots: My Fight with Harvard to Reclaim My Legacy

Описание: Tamara K. Lanier is a tireless champion for truth and justice whose advocacy has taken her across Connecticut, the nation, and the globe. A 27-year veteran of the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch, Lanier retired in 2017 as Chief Probation Officer II in the Norwich Probation Office. She has a long and distinguished record of public service and social advocacy. Recently, she was appointed by Governor Ned Lamont to Connecticut’s first Hate Crime Advisory Council.


Recognized for her dedication to justice, Lanier was named Woman of the Year in 2015 by the Connecticut General Assembly’s Commission on Afro-American Affairs. In 2016, she received the Connecticut Commission of Human Rights and Opportunities’ Leaders and Legends Award and was honored with the Inspirational Women’s Award in 2019.


Lanier has passionately advocated for a national dialogue on slavery’s enduring impact on society. Her advocacy has led to meetings with such dignitaries as Congressman John Lewis and Congressman John Conyers where the need for federal legislation to protect the cultural relics of slavery was discussed.


With the support of nationally acclaimed Civil Rights Attorneys Benjamin L. Crump and the late Michael Koskoff, Lanier filed a landmark reparations lawsuit against Harvard University, challenging their ownership of her enslaved ancestors’ images and forcing the nation to reckon with its legacy of slavery.


Lanier is also an accomplished writer, her memoir “From These Roots”, has drawn praise from scholars, historians, and activists for its riveting account of her battle for justice.


• Jill Abramson, former executive editor of The New York Times, describes the book as “the riveting and moving story of one woman’s crusade for simple justice on behalf of her beloved ancestors.”

• Historian Peter H. Wood calls it “a disturbing and provocative window into four centuries of American history,” bringing Renty and his lineage back to life.

• Ariella Azoulay of Brown University hails it as “a must-read book for anyone who cares about justice in an unjust world.”

• Pulitzer Prize finalist Linda Villarosa highlights the story’s inspiring lesson in perseverance.

• Attorney Ben Crump calls the memoir “a must-read for those who believe in Justice.”



From These Roots is more than a personal story—it is a call to confront the enduring afterlife of slavery and America’s unfinished business of reparative justice. Through this powerful work, Tamara Lanier invites readers to grapple with history, stand against injustice, and honor the legacies of those who came before us.