Augustus Tolton

Our goal was to create an immersive, multicast audio drama introducing our family entertainment audience to the inspiring but little-known life of Father Augustus Tolton, the first African-American ordained to the Catholic priesthood. Opening with Tolton’s dramatic escape from enslavement as a child in Missouri, the series follows his encounters with racial injustice and discrimination in Illinois and his discovery of a profound calling to serve those suffering around him.

Rather than approach Tolton’s life as a traditional biopic, we set out to tell an emotionally gripping story about a heroic man whose perseverance, courage, and sacrifice remain relevant today. We embraced the challenge of portraying the harsh realities of enslavement and racism for a younger family audience while maintaining an uplifting focus on faith, resilience, and human dignity.

The series does not shy away from the obstacles Tolton faced, including being refused admission to every Catholic seminary in the United States because of his race. After ultimately being ordained a priest in Rome, Tolton returned to the United States and devoted his ministry to Chicago’s Black Catholic community. His journey invites listeners to engage with a difficult chapter of American history while discovering the impact one individual can have through perseverance and service.

Historical accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and a nuanced tone were central to our approach. We worked closely with Bishop Joseph N. Perry, a leading authority on Tolton’s life and legacy, throughout development.

Chicago-based writer Jacob Groth wrote the series, directed by Margaret Smith. Designer Michael Spina (Hard Knocks, Call of Duty) used Pro Tools to create an intricate soundscape evoking the gritty atmosphere of late-19th-century America, complemented by composer Jacob Brusseau’s original score.

The cast is led by Mpho Osei-Tutu (Resident Evil), alongside Sean Gormley (The Blacklist), LaKecia Harris (Chicago Med), CJ Richmond (Chicago Fire), and Desiree Gonzalez.

Released on Spotify and Apple Music in February 2026, as part of our Black History Month programming, the series generated more than 78,000 downloads and reached 23,000 unique listeners in its first week.