Karen Branan, author of The Family Tree: A Lynching in Georgia, A Legacy of Secrets and My Search for the Truth (Simon & Schuster, 2016), is a seasoned reporter and documentarian whose work has contributed significantly to uncovering and addressing historical injustices and racial trauma in the United States. Her investigative storytelling has appeared in Life, Mother Jones, Ms., Christian Science Monitor, The Guardian, as well as on major television networks including CBS, PBS, CNN, ABC, and BBC, making her an internationally respected voice in journalism and historical truth-seeking.

Through her work with the Equal Justice Initiative’s (EJI) Community Remembrance Projects, Branan has dedicated herself to memorializing lynching victims and addressing the legacy of discrimination. These projects involve documenting, preserving, and acknowledging the traumatic histories of racial violence in America, and Branan’s leadership in these efforts has provided invaluable support to communities seeking justice and remembrance. Her collaborations with EJI and numerous other organizations have fostered community healing by bringing to light stories that were once buried or silenced.

As a member of the Besa Saka Historical Research and Preservation Advisory Council, Branan’s expertise and commitment to racial justice are instrumental to the council’s goals. Her deep understanding of racial trauma and the significance of historical accountability enable her to guide the council in addressing difficult histories with integrity and sensitivity. Her experience in journalism, her access to national and international media, and her established role as a truth-seeker allow her to bring both credibility and reach to Besa Saka’s mission of preserving African American heritage.

Branan’s work on the council supports Besa Saka’s objectives of honoring African American history by emphasizing accountability, truth, and healing in historical preservation. Her insights into community remembrance practices provide a powerful framework for the council’s work in promoting racial reconciliation and justice, particularly in areas impacted by historical trauma. With her extensive experience in storytelling and community advocacy, Karen Branan strengthens the council’s capacity to tell underrepresented stories, helping ensure that Besa Saka’s initiatives are informed, impactful, and connected to a broader movement of historical justice and remembrance.