When she came across a photo of a predominantly Black, female dive team in the National Museum of African American History and Culture archives, Tara Roberts felt a sense of purpose emerge in her heart. As she recounted the experience during a Catalina Island Conservancy speaker series chat in early June, Roberts explained how seeing herself represented in the photo ignited the spark to begin diving for sunken slave ships. 

Roberts, a National Geographic Explorer in Residence, addressed a packed room at the Conservancy’s Trailhead Visitor Center in Avalon, CA. She described her journeys around the world, diving with historians to locate ships that sank between the 16th and 19th centuries while carrying enslaved African Americans. 

“The ancestors were calling on us to tell their stories,” said Roberts. “When I’m under the waves, I feel nothing but agency and power.” 

That sentiment has propelled Roberts’ work documenting largely untold history from the depths of the sea. “There are about 1,000 shipwrecks to explore and less than 20 have been discovered so far,” she said at the speaker series. 

Following her presentation, Roberts sat down with Conservancy CEO Whitney Latorre for a question-and-answer session. The two were already familiar, as Latorre previously executive produced a National Geographic podcast with Roberts around her work. The discussion with Latorre included the Conservancy’s student engagement programs, which led Roberts to underscore the value of representation and access to the outdoors.  

“It’s important to get out of urban areas and engage with the natural environment,” she said. “It’s not only about opportunity, but the need to be represented.”  

The Conservancy provides essential learning opportunities and programs for California students from diverse communities to explore the Island and learn about conservation. Before departing for Washington D.C., Roberts met with a dozen sixth grade students from Roosevelt Elementary in Lynwood during their visit to the Island. The encounter, where students got to ask Roberts about her explorations, was an exciting kickoff to their weekend camping trip on the Island. 

Guided by Catalina Island Conservancy’s education team, students ventured into the wild interior of the Island. For most, it was their first time stepping foot on Catalina and many had never camped before this visit. The students were immersed in nature and participated in conservation efforts at the Ackerman Native Plant Nursery. The experience was funded by a grant through the Watershed Conservation Authority. 

Roberts’ visit was one of many esteemed professionals in conservation and related industries to participate in the Conservancy’s Catalina Speaker Series. Visit the calendar for the latest events and future speaker series sessions.