Uncovered Legacy

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Dancing to Her Own Rhythm: The Legacy of Valarie Pettiford from Queens, New York to Hollywood | S06 E12
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March 31, 2026

Dancing to Her Own Rhythm: The Legacy of Valarie Pettiford from Queens, New York to Hollywood | S06 E12

Valarie's roots run deep in Oxford, North Carolina, where both her parents were born and raised. Her parents were young, hip visionaries who decided to leave everything they knew in the South and move north during the 1950s migration. Her maternal grandparents moved to Jersey first, setting the groundwork, and her parents followed, settling in Harlem before eventually moving to the Bronx where Valarie was born in the 1960s. After two years in the Bronx, the family moved to Queens, where Valarie
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Point of View: Why Your Network Matters More Than Your Resume with Layne Eskridge | S06 E11
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March 24, 2026

Point of View: Why Your Network Matters More Than Your Resume with Layne Eskridge | S06 E11

Layne Eskridge grew up in Shakers Height, Ohio attending an all-girls private school, from preschool through 12th grade. She learned to navigate spaces where she was often the only one who looked like her. She didn't realize how much that shaped her until she moved to Los Angeles. Growing up as an only child with parents who met at The Ohio State University, Layne learned early on the power of independence, imagination, and community. In this episode, Layne shares what it was like starting
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The Multiverse of Carl Weber: When Every Door Opens at the Right Time | S06 E10
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March 17, 2026

The Multiverse of Carl Weber: When Every Door Opens at the Right Time | S06 E10

Carl Weber’s story begins between worlds. Born in Jamaica and raised in Queens and Long Island, his early years were marked by constant shifts between cultures, expectations, and environments. Growing up, he often found himself navigating the tension of being the “smart kid” in the room while also facing the realities of racism and identity. Everything began to change when he discovered sports. Football, swimming, and track gave him a sense of direction and discipline, eventually leading him to
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Making Movies with Faith and Hustle: The Tri Destined Story with Trey Haley | S06 E09
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March 10, 2026

Making Movies with Faith and Hustle: The Tri Destined Story with Trey Haley | S06 E09

Trey's story begins in Arlington, Texas, an only child raised by parents who were high school sweethearts. His father became a criminal defense attorney, his mother worked in sales, and Trey grew up with deep Texas roots and big dreams. He attended Lamar High School, played the trombone, taught himself keyboards, and knew early on that entertainment was his calling. When it came time for college, Morehouse felt like destiny. He had the stickers on his car, the shirts, the vision. But Morehouse w
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Making Your Mess Your Message: Reinventing Your Story When the Dream Shifts with Kevin John Peters | S06 E08
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March 3, 2026

Making Your Mess Your Message: Reinventing Your Story When the Dream Shifts with Kevin John Peters | S06 E08

Kevin loves Stockton, California, but deep in his heart he knew he had to leave if he wanted more. Raised in a middle-class home until his parents divorced when he was eight, Kevin watched friends get pulled into gang life while his mother made sure he had a different path. Through Jack and Jill, an organization for African American families, Kevin was exposed to HBCUs, life beyond Stockton, and the possibility of something greater. When Morehouse College offered him a full ride scholarship, his
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The Gift And The Calling: A Psychologist's Journey From Chicago's South Side with Dr. Jamila Young | S06 E07
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Feb. 24, 2026

The Gift And The Calling: A Psychologist's Journey From Chicago's South Side with Dr. Jamila Young | S06 E07

Dr. Jamila Young’s story begins on the south side of Chicago in an area known as the low end, raised by a single mother until age four when the man who would become her father entered their lives. With no memory of her biological father except a faded photograph from age three, Jamila grew up in a working-class home that valued education above all else. Her parents made sure she attended the best magnet schools Chicago had to offer, even when that meant traveling miles across the city from the w
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About the Host

Curtis Burke Profile Photo
Curtis Burke

Host

My name is Curtis Burke. I am married with twin toddlers and live in Los Angeles, CA.

I was born in Charleston, SC (known as the Low Country), and moved to Atlanta, GA, as a young teenager. I graduated from Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and theater. I later moved to Los Angeles where I received a master’s degree in human development and social change from Pacific Oaks College.

During my time in graduate school, I developed a particular interest in studying how humans grow, change, and socially evolve. After taking an ancestry DNA test, I experienced firsthand the limitations that I and many other Black Americans have when learning about our backgrounds. Investigating my own family legacy, along with studying human development and social change, I became inspired to start the Uncovered Legacy podcast.

Uncovered Legacy provides a platform for those like me, who do not have an overwhelming social media presence or the benefit of fame to widely share their own stories and family legacies. My goal is to provide a voice to ordinary people from a wide array of backgrounds who want to highlight themselves, the people around them, or the ancestors whose memory they want to maintain and preserve.

Reviews

Refreshing and Inspiring

"I LOVE what you’re doing here! The voice and stories are just what we need in times like today; reminders of hope and what we get to share as time goes on."

Candace Claiborn | June 12, 2021

Inspirational

"We really enjoyed the interview and wanted to hear more."

Glenn and Mary | May 9, 2023

Thank you for an excellent presentation!

"Dear Curtis, I just finished listening to the Uncovered Legacy about Franklin Henderson! It is superb! I was prompted to listen to it by my dear friend Judi Henderson, the daughter of Doris and Fr…"

Gaye Walton-Price | Feb. 11, 2026

Little League Perseverance

"I throughly enjoyed the interview with John Rivers. The story captured the essence of perseverance and strong ties in the Black family and hopefully someone is encouraged and motivated to help our yo…"

Mary R. Burke, daughter-in-law of Walter T. Burke | Oct. 3, 2023
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