Rooted: How a Daughter of the South Traced Her Bloodline Back 44,000 Years and Calls Us to Remember Who We Really Are

NOTE: This edition contains a black and white photo section.

About this Edition

This is the Paperback Edition of Rooted. It includes the complete memoir in its entirety, with all photographs presented in black and white. This edition offers the same powerful story of faith, ancestry, and legacy in a format that is both affordable and accessible. Perfect for everyday reading, book clubs, and classrooms.

When a Southern woman's family DNA test uncovered an ancient and uncommon 44,000-year-old maternal legacy, it redefined everything she thought she knew-about identity, inheritance, and the women who came before her.

One test. 44,000 years. A lineage from East Africa to Eastover.

At a time when conversations about identity, ancestry, and generational healing are growing louder, Rooted steps in with both honesty and grace, honoring the truth of Black women's experiences. This isn't just a cultural memoir-it's a reclamation of stolen history, voices that were silenced, and a legacy that refuses to fade away.

Rooted follows Michell Pulliam's journey from the backroads of South Carolina to the highlands of East Africa-not by plane, but by blood. What began as a simple DNA test sparked a spiritual awakening, deepening her understanding of identity, inheritance, and the legacy of the women who came before her.

Traced through a rare mitochondrial haplogroup found in fewer than 1% of African Americans, the test uncovers a maternal line that stretches back 44,000 years to the Sandawe and Hadza (Hadzabe) peoples of East Africa-carrying some of humanity's oldest surviving genetic roots. But this isn't just a story about science or ancestry-it's about the women. The foremothers who survived, who birthed nations, who whispered their truth across generations. And the one descendant-Michell-who finally chose to tell their story and honor their memory.

With tenderness, grit, and a reverence for faith and family, Rooted blends memoir, cultural history, and spiritual reflection to honor the women who carried us all. Rooted speaks to every woman who's ever felt the call to come home-to herself, to her lineage, and to the God who never forgot her name. It's a book about reclaiming identity, making peace with the past, and remembering who you were-before the world told you who to be. Rooted stands as a powerful anthem for Black women, a testament to resilience, strength, and the enduring legacy of those who came before and those who will continue the legacy.

If you've ever wondered where you come from, why your soul feels older than your years, or what stories still live in your bones... this book is for you.

Rooted also includes companion resources that enrich the reading experience, guiding readers to engage, reflect, and discover more about the legacies that shape us all.

Rooted is available in paperback and hardcover editions, featuring photographs presented in black and white, as well as in eBook format.

Please note: The ebook edition does not include photographs that appear in the print version.

MICHELL F. PULLIAM is a passionate storyteller, founder of a copywriting agency, and a midlife advocate, dedicated to empowering women as they step into new seasons of life. She inspires women to embrace their journeys and find the courage to rewrite their stories. Now embracing her new normal as a divorced, midlife woman, Michell draws from her journey to help others live with purpose and resilience. Michell writes with the soul of a storyteller and the rhythm of a poet. Her voice is both grounded and transcended-connected to ancestral memory, faith, and the quiet power of everyday women. She doesn't just tell stories. She resurrects them. Her work blends reflection and spiritual insight into a cadence that feels both personal and universal-inviting readers to remember who they are, reclaim what's been lost, and rise from the silence that's been passed down. Whether exploring maternal lineage or reflecting on the quiet strength of womanhood, her words speak to something deep and enduring, offering honest insight into identity, legacy and faith.The mother of three adult children, a son-in-law who's like her own, and the proud grandmother of two, Michell values family and the strength that comes from their connection and support of one another. Over a span of 25 years, she and her former husband pioneered ministries in Michigan, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, where their work centered around creating compassionate, faith-driven communities. Today, she channels this experience into her work, guiding women through the unique challenges and triumphs of midlife. An accomplished writer, Michell's works include Real Talk, a book on marriage and relationships, The Roots of Roswell, a coming-of-age novel exploring identity, resilience, and self-discovery, and Bliss: The Simple Key to Living Wide Open in a World Without Limits-an invitation to reclaim joy and live with bold, unapologetic purpose. She also developed the Doing You Well Signature System(TM), a suite of coaching programs and resources that support women in achieving personal and professional growth. Additionally, Michell has another book in the works, A Cold Day in July-a cozy mystery set to be released in the spring of 2026. Her most recent book, Rooted: How a Daughter of the South Traced Her Bloodline Back 44,000 Years and Calls Us To Remember Who We Really Are, is a memoir that blends history, healing, and Holy Spirit revelation. A poetic work of remembrance, Rooted speaks to every woman who's ever felt the call to come home-to herself, to her lineage, and to the God who never forgot her name.Through her work, Michell encourages women to live life with purpose and faith. Her motto in life, "Do you well!" is a call to honor oneself while embracing the beauty of who you are in every season. She is a firm believer in helping others uncover who they are in Christ and how He sees them... in their finished state! Michell's writing will inspire, engage, and empower you, helping you see yourself through the lens of your potential.