Suzanne Bonnar: The Blacksburg Connection

A Garfield Kennedy Production for BBC Scotland

Suzanne Bonnar was the first black baby to be born in a small seaside town on the west coast of Scotland. Her mother lived near an American military base and fell in love with her father, an African American serviceman. She had not seen her father since she was two years old and was brought up in an all white community.

Twenty-six years later, longing to meet her father, she contacted an organization that specializes in uniting servicemen's families. Her unique and moving voyage of discovery began in a railroad station in London where, for the first time as an adult, she met her father.

Together with her father she journeyed to South Carolina to meet her extended family, including three half brothers she never knew existed. Suzanne felt immediately at home with her black family as they welcomed her into their lives. In Scotland she was known as a blues singer with a powerful, vibrant voice. Now, in a stirring scene, we see her singing in a Southern church with all the fervor that spiritual music inspires.

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, 1997

"Bonnar's emotional journey and cultural awakening unfold with gentle, affecting power." Booklist