Karen Wright-Sori Brengettsy-Chatman

Karen Wright Sori Brengettsy-Chatman is an American historian, genealogist, author, institutional president, and humanitarian. She is the President and Sovereign of The Official Royal House of Sori (TORHOS) and the Founder and Chairperson of the Root Nine Foundation and Institute (R9). Born and raised in Natchez, Mississippi, she is a direct descendant of Abd al-Rahman Ibrahim ibn Sori (1762–1829) — known historically as "the Prince Among Slaves" — a Fula prince and scholar from Timbo in the Futa Jallon region of present-day Guinea, who was enslaved for more than forty years in Natchez, Mississippi before gaining his freedom. Brengettsy-Chatman descends from the prince specifically through Esther one of the nine children the couple were forced to leave behind when they sailed for Africa in 1828.

Her scholarly and institutional work centers on the historical documentation, preservation, and global recognition of Prince Abdulrahman's legacy and the broader African diaspora. Through TORHOS and R9 she leads a network of partnerships spanning the United States, the Republic of Guinea, Liberia, and Morocco. She has earned formal recognition from the United States government and the City of Hartford, Connecticut: in December 2024, U.S. Ambassador to Guinea Troy Fitrell acknowledged her in an official Embassy letter as representing "the descendants of Prince Abdul Rahman and the historical impact of his life in the United States," and in May 2024, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam issued a formal city proclamation naming her and TORHOS in recognition of their work to honor Prince Abdul Rahman's legacy.

Her work has been covered across three continents: in the United States by the Los Angeles Sentinel, the Jackson Advocate, the Natchez Democrat, and NBC Connecticut; and in the Republic of Guinea by four national newspapers: Le Populaire de Guinée, Le Guide Info, Guinée Live, and Investigator Guinée.

Prince Abd al-Rahman Ibrahim ibn Sori

Abd al-Rahman Ibrahim ibn Sori (1762–1829) was a Fula prince, scholar, and military commander born in Timbo, the capital of the Futa Jallon Islamic confederation in present-day Guinea, and the son of Almami Ibrahim Sori, sovereign ruler of nine provinces and territories. He was captured in battle at age 26 in 1788 and sold into the Atlantic [...], transported to Natchez, Mississippi where he was enslaved at the plantation of Thomas Foster — known as Foster's Fields — for more than forty years. Upon learning of his royal lineage, Foster began calling him "Prince," a title he retained until his final days.

He was freed in 1828 by order of President John Quincy Adams and Secretary of State Henry Clay, following diplomatic intervention by the Sultan of Morocco. A portrait of Prince Abdul-Rahman is preserved in the Library of Congress. He and his wife Isabella sailed aboard the ship The Harriet from Norfolk, Virginia to Monrovia, Liberia, where he died before reaching his home in Timbo. His nine children — collectively the foundation for the name of the Root Nine Foundation and Institute — remained enslaved at Foster's Fields. Two of those children, Levi and Simon, would later join their mother Isabella in Liberia.

The Hartford Proclamation of 2024 confirmed that prior to sailing, Prince Abdul-Rahman and Isabella visited the Center Church Meeting House on Main Street in Hartford, Connecticut, where Rev. Thomas Gallaudet held a fundraiser in their honor as part of a national tour organized by the American Colonization Society to purchase the freedom of their children.

Early life, lineage, and scholarly formation

HRH Princess Karen Wright Sori Brengettsy-Chatman was born and raised in Natchez, Mississippi — the city where her ancestor endured more than forty years of enslavement at Foster's Fields. She descends from the prince through his wife Isabella, specifically through the children who remained enslaved in Natchez after the prince's departure. Her mother, a Natchez native, ensured from childhood that she understood her lineage in full historical detail. In an interview with Total Prestige Magazine, Brengettsy-Chatman stated: "From my early childhood, I was told that Prince Sori was my Great-Great Grandfather who was an African prince from the country of Futa Jallon and of his connection with Timbuctoo and his connection to the royal family of Morocco. It was not until I became an adult, that I fully understood the significance of Prince Sori being born a prince; yet lived his life as a slave, and how his journey would pave the way for who I am today."

Her engagement with oral histories passed through generations, archival research, genealogical documentation, and ancestral records formed the scholarly foundation of her work as a historian of the Sori dynasty. Investigator Guinée reported that her royal title was conferred in 1978 by King Hassan II of the Kingdom of Morocco — reflecting the historical ties between the Moroccan royal court and the Sori dynasty of Futa Jallon — and that she and Dr. Artemus Gaye were the first direct descendants of Prince Abdulrahman to return together to Guinea, in 2022 and 2023, establishing what that paper described as "a bridge between Africa and the African diaspora through research, cultural preservation, and humanitarian service."

The Official Royal House of Sori (TORHOS)

Brengettsy-Chatman is the founder and President of The Official Royal House of Sori (TORHOS), established in 1993 and formerly known as The Royal House of Sori, rebranded under its current federally protected name. TORHOS holds a U.S. federally registered trademark and operates as the sovereign custodian of the verified historical legacy of Prince Abdulrahman Ibrahima ibn Sori under its own governance. It is the sole institution with custodial authority over the prince's authenticated historical, genealogical, and cultural record which it has collected.

The Hartford city proclamation formally recognized TORHOS by name as a leading institution in preserving the legacy of Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima ibn Sori. The Greenberg Center at Trinity College's formal partnership agreement designated TORHOS as "the sole official custodian of the historical legacy of Prince Abdulrahman Ibrahima ibn Sori," with the Greenberg Center committing to engage exclusively with TORHOS and R9 on all related academic and public initiatives.

Investigator Guinée quoted Brengettsy-Chatman on the scope of TORHOS's mission: "As Sovereign of The Official Royal House of Sori, the mission of my life goes beyond the simple preservation of history. Through the Root Nine Foundation and Institute, we weave together the narratives of Liberia, Guinea, the United States, and Morocco. Our work transforms historical archives into living bridges of resilience, sovereignty, and shared humanity."

Root Nine Foundation and Institute (R9)

Brengettsy-Chatman is the Founder and Chairperson of the Root Nine Foundation and Institute (R9), the charitable and academic arm of TORHOS, structured as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The name Root Nine commemorates the nine children of Prince Abdulrahman and Isabella who remained enslaved at Foster's Fields when their parents sailed for Africa — the unresolved wound at the center of the prince's story that Brengettsy-Chatman has made her life's work to address.

R9 advances its mission across several domains: historical research and archival preservation; education and student exchange programs linking Guinea, the United States, and the diaspora; environmental protection initiatives including beach cleanup operations and waste management education programs; advocacy for persons with disabilities, including work with deaf and hard-of-hearing communities; women's education and leadership programs; and public education on Guinean and diasporic history before and after the period of French colonial occupation.

The Greenberg Center at Trinity College described R9 as "committed to uncovering and preserving the hidden histories of African, African American, and other marginalized communities through research, education, and advocacy."

The National Institute for the Legacy and Cultural Preservation of Prince Abdulrahman Ibrahima ibn Sori (NICPAS)

NICPAS is the dedicated scholarly and preservation institution operating under TORHOS's governance. It focuses on the rigorous documentation, authentication, and dissemination of the historical legacy of Prince Abdulrahman Ibrahima ibn Sori, ensuring that all representations of the prince's life and legacy are historically grounded, culturally respectful, and institutionally authorized. NICPAS works in coordination with academic partners and archival institutions to build a comprehensive, authenticated record of the Sori dynasty and its American descendants.

The Natchez to Timbo Connection (NATCO)

NATCO is the local Natchez-region operating body of TORHOS, managing cultural exchange, community research, and ongoing engagement between the Natchez descendants of Prince Abdul-Rahman and the Elders of Timbo, Guinea. As reported by the Jackson Advocate, NATCO maintains a Natchez office managed by volunteer liaison Darrel White and Director of History and Culture Kerri Lewis, and works to establish institutional relationships with the Natchez Historical Society, the Historic Natchez Foundation, the African American Museum of History and Culture, and Visit Natchez. The organization is also advocating for a road or street in Natchez to be named in honor of Prince Abdul-Rahman along the path to the Thomas Foster property where he was enslaved.

United Global Research Center

Brengettsy-Chatman serves as President of the United Global Research Center. In this role she oversees the Bright Star-Agnes Thompson Scholarship, awarded to Natchez High School graduates. The scholarship is open to all qualifying students regardless of academic standing, reflecting Brengettsy-Chatman's commitment to expanding access to educational opportunity in her home community. The Natchez Democrat reported on the scholarship and its recipients.

Princess Karen Chatman Foundation of Ancestry and Global Development

Known also as the Royal House of Sori, this non-governmental organization partners with research institutions worldwide to pursue cures for diseases including cancer and HIV/AIDS. In an interview with Total Prestige Magazine, Brengettsy-Chatman explained the foundation's approach to genetic research: "DNA, rather Genetic testing, can help scientists decode the information received from genetic testing such as why one family member is more susceptible to a disease like cancer and why another seems to be almost immune." The foundation also delivers outreach programs providing clean water, food, and housing in impoverished communities across Africa and the Middle East, and has facilitated genetic matching that has enabled life-saving organ transplants for patients with no known donor matches within their immediate families.

She also founded Think Pink for a Cure and Think Pink International, breast cancer awareness campaigns active across the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Historical scholarship and collaboration with Dr. Artemus Gaye

A key scholarly partner in Brengettsy-Chatman's work is Dr. Artemus Gaye, a Liberian historian, author of Rooted Beyond Boundaries, and direct descendant of Prince Abdulrahman Ibrahima ibn Sori. Dr. Gaye serves as Guardian of the Sori heritage in Liberia — where Prince Abdulrahman died in 1829 — and is a cousin of Brengettsy-Chatman through their shared descent from the prince. His scholarly credentials include appearing as a featured historian in the award-winning 2007 PBS documentary Prince Among Slaves, directed by Andrea Kalin and co-directed by Bill Duke, narrated by Mos Def, and based on the biography by historian Terry Alford. In the documentary, Dr. Gaye was shown meeting his American relatives — the Sori descendants left behind in Natchez — marking the first publicly documented reunion of the Liberian and American branches of the family.

Brengettsy-Chatman's partnership with Dr. Gaye strengthens the scholarly authority of her institutional work significantly. Together they are two independently verified descendants of Prince Abdulrahman — one representing the American branch, one the Liberian — working as historians and institutional leaders across two continents. Investigator Guinée described them as "the first direct descendants of King and Prince Sori to have returned together to Guinea," establishing what the paper called "a bridge between Africa and the African diaspora through research, cultural preservation, and humanitarian service." The U.S. Ambassador to Guinea formally recognized both in his official Embassy letter, and the Greenberg Center at Trinity College's partnership agreement formally acknowledges their joint custodianship of the prince's legacy.

Prince Among Slaves documentary

The film won the Best Documentary Award at the 2007 American Black Film Festival, as well as the Cine Golden Eagle, the TIVA DC Peer Award, and the Grand Goldie at the World Media Film Festival. It premiered nationally on PBS on February 4, 2008, leading off the network's Black History Month programming, and was screened in over 50 cities including at the Natchez Wilkinson Public Library in Natchez, Mississippi.

Brengettsy-Chatman and Dr. Gaye's collaborative institutional work through TORHOS and R9 represents a continuation and formal deepening of the cross-continental reunion that the documentary first brought to public attention — now anchored in the Greenberg Center partnership at Trinity College, U.S. State Department recognition, and coverage across four Guinean national newspapers.

U.S. Embassy Guinea

On December 14, 2024, U.S. Ambassador to Guinea Troy Fitrell issued an official Embassy letter formally welcoming the TORHOS delegation to Conakry and acknowledging its three representatives:

  • Elhadj Mody Oury Barry of Timbo, Guinea — representing Prince Abdul Rahman's birthplace and his role in Guinean heritage
  • Karen Wright Sori Brengettsy-Chatman of Natchez, Mississippi — representing the descendants of Prince Abdul Rahman and the historical impact of his life in the United States
  • Dr. Artemus Gaye of Monrovia, Liberia — representing the legacy of Prince Abdul Rahman's final years on the African continent

The Ambassador stated: "We are inspired by the ambitious initiatives undertaken by the Official Royal House of Sori, Dr. Gaye, and the High Council of Timbo Elders to preserve and share the story of Prince Abdul Rahman. Through your dedication, you are building a lasting foundation that connects Guinean and American histories while fostering meaningful dialogue about our shared heritage."

Hartford city proclamation

On May 13, 2024, Arunan Arulampalam, Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, issued an official city proclamation bearing the seal of the City of Hartford, formally recognizing Brengettsy-Chatman, TORHOS, and the Elders of Timbo for their dedication to preserving the legacy of Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima ibn Sori. The proclamation declared the occasion for TORHOS, the Elders of Timbo Guinea, Dr. Artemus Gaye of Monrovia Liberia, and Princess Karen Chatman of Natchez Mississippi USA to visit Hartford "to pay homage and trace the footsteps of Prince Abdul Rahman Sori on his quest to freedom."

Guinea–USA cultural diplomacy

Four independent Guinean national newspapers have covered Brengettsy-Chatman's activities in Guinea as matters of national heritage and cultural diplomacy.

Le Guide Info described TORHOS as a "pont diplomatique vivant" — a living diplomatic bridge — recognized from the Kingdom of Morocco to the ancestral lands of the Futa Jallon, and reported on the formal launch of the Walking in the Footsteps of a Prince tour in Conakry in partnership with Guinea's National Tourism Authority.

Le Populaire de Guinée covered the December 10, 2025 book presentation at the American Center in Conakry — attended by students, journalists, and U.S. Embassy officials — describing Brengettsy-Chatman's work as "le livre du retour aux sources" — the book of the return to roots. The paper described the event as part of Brengettsy-Chatman's ambition to "weave deep cultural ties between Guinea and the United States" through her writing and institutional work.

Investigator Guinée reported that Brengettsy-Chatman formally notified Djiba Diakité, Chief of Staff to the President of Guinea, of the conferral of an honorific title within the House of Sori upon American actress Meagan Good, who has documented ancestral connections to the Imamate of Futa Jallon — an appointment treated as an affair of state by the Guinean national press.

Guinée Live reported on the TORHOS delegation to Guinea, framing the commemoration as "a landmark moment for Guinea and its diaspora."

Walking in the Footsteps of a Prince

Walking in the Footsteps of a Prince is an annual global heritage and educational initiative co-created by Brengettsy-Chatman and Dr. Artemus Gaye. The tour retraces the documented historical journey of Prince Abdul-Rahman: beginning in Guinea, where he was born a prince and scholar; passing through Natchez, where he was enslaved for more than forty years; continuing to Hartford, Connecticut and Washington, D.C., where he and Isabella fundraised to purchase the freedom of their nine enslaved children and grandchildren; and concluding in Monrovia, Liberia, where his earthly journey ended in 1829.

The tour traces the historical footsteps of the prince's 1828–1829 national tour, during which he visited Hartford's Center Church Meeting House — where Rev. Thomas Gallaudet held a fundraiser in his honor — and other cities along the Eastern Seaboard. The Greenberg Center at Trinity College committed to participating in the annual Hartford lecture and discussion event each May.

Hartford: Center Church, the American School for the Deaf, and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

NBC Connecticut reported that Brengettsy-Chatman presented at the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford alongside representatives from the Republic of Guinea, with West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor also in attendance. Executive Director Jeffrey Bravin noted that the school was among the first institutions in the United States to accept Black Americans when they were still enslaved — a direct historical connection, as the school's founder Thomas Gallaudet was among the Hartford abolitionists who championed Prince Abdul-Rahman's cause.

On November 7, 2025, Brengettsy-Chatman presented her book The Lost Crown of Prince Abdulrahman Ibrahima ibn Sori and the Sovereign's Redemption at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford — the historic home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. The event drew approximately 45 attendees including academic scholars, historians, educators, and descendants of Prince Abdul-Rahman. A formal agreement between the Stowe Center and TORHOS was established in connection with the event.

Natchez–Timbo connection

In 2022, Brengettsy-Chatman under the House of Sori led a delegation to Conakry, Guinea — alongside a fellow descendant — to meet the Elders of Timbo for the first time. During the visit she received the Guinean name Khadija Barry, meaning "mother of believers." Investigator Guinée described this journey as the first time that direct descendants of Prince Abdulrahman had returned to Guinea together, establishing "a bridge between Africa and the African diaspora." The Elders of Timbo subsequently made their first visit to Natchez in May 2023, meeting their American relatives on the soil where Prince Abdul-Rahman was enslaved for more than forty years.

As reported by the Jackson Advocate, the Elders returned to Natchez in May 2024, with the theme "Walking in the Footsteps of a Prince." Brengettsy-Chatman organized a symposium at the Natchez Convention Center featuring speakers from the Office of the U.S. Secretary of State, and debuted the documentary film From Prince to Slave — produced in collaboration between the Elders of Timbo and the U.S. Embassy in Guinea. Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson joined the delegation for subsequent engagements in Hartford, Connecticut and Washington, D.C. Mayor Gibson stated: "The story of Prince Rahman is like no other. His is a noble tale of tragedy intertwined with both the best and worst of humanity."

The Natchez Democrat reported that Brengettsy-Chatman led the "Reign of Royalty: African Kings and Queens — A Living Legacy" cultural event in Natchez, featuring African rhythm and song, a fashion showcase, spoken word, and a Royal Coronation of Modern Day Royalty.

The Lost Crown of Prince Abdulrahman Ibrahima ibn Sori and the Sovereign's Redemption

Published and presented at the American Center at the U.S. Embassy Guinea in Conakry on December 10, 2025, this scholarly historical work is Brengettsy-Chatman's central contribution to the historiography of the Sori dynasty and the African diaspora. Le Populaire de Guinée reported that the book was presented to an audience of students, journalists, and Embassy officials and described it as "le livre du retour aux sources" — the book of the return to roots. The work retraces the trajectory of Prince Abdulrahman from prince and scholar of Futa Jallon, through his enslavement in Natchez, to his emancipation and final journey to Liberia, while extending that story forward through the two centuries of descendants — including Brengettsy-Chatman herself — who carried on the Sori lineage in America. The book is available on Amazon.com and is the first scholarly work by a verified descendant of the Sori royal line to address the full scope of the prince's historical and genealogical legacy.

Brengettsy-Chatman presented the book in December 2025 at Kofi Annan University of Guinea in Conakry to 350 English-speaking students — two days after the U.S. Embassy presentation — extending its reach to the next generation of Guinean scholars.

Chained Free

Chained Free is a historical novel described by Brengettsy-Chatman in Total Prestige Magazine as "a book like no other ever written about slavery. It does not focus on slavery itself but embarks on taboo subjects such as adultery, homosexuality, the non-existing voice of white women in those times and forbidden love relationships. It provides readers with a different perspective of slavery — one that allows the reader to live and to see from the eyes of both slave and slave master, woman and man." The narrative is drawn from oral histories passed through generations by Brengettsy-Chatman's grandmother, Mama Mae.

The Adventures of the Lost Prince (children's series)

Brengettsy-Chatman is the author of two published volumes in the children's series The Adventures of the Lost Prince:

  • The Adventures of the Lost Prince: The Journey to the Whispering Trees — the first volume of the series, following a young prince on a journey rooted in African royal heritage, designed to introduce children to the history and culture of the Sori dynasty and the African diaspora.
  • The Adventures of the Lost Prince: Escape from the Whispering Trees — the second volume, continuing the prince's journey and deepening the historical and cultural themes introduced in the first installment.

The series is designed to make the story of Prince Abdulrahman Ibrahima ibn Sori accessible to young readers, fostering cultural pride, historical literacy, and connection to African royal heritage across generations.

African Royalty Database

Brengettsy-Chatman curates the African Royalty Database, a monumental archival initiative spanning over 400 years of royal lineages across the African continent. The database serves as a research tool for historians, genealogists, and institutions working to document and authenticate the histories of African royal dynasties and their diaspora descendants.

Personal life

Brengettsy-Chatman is married to Rayshon Chatman. She has three children.