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SALT LAKE CITY — Four keynote speakers with a variety of backgrounds were announced on Tuesday for this year's upcoming RootsTech, a family history conference hosted by FamilySearch and supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The theme for this year's conference is "Remember."
For Feb. 29, the opening day of the conference, the keynote speaker will be Henry Cho, a comedian known as Mr. Clean. Cho will use memories of his upbringing in Tennessee with Korean parents to bring laughter to his presentation.
On March 1, Lynne M. Jackson, the great-great-granddaughter of Dred and Harriet Scott, will take the stage at the Salt Palace Convention Center to talk about her grandparents' fight against slavery, which they took to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The announcement from the church said the theme "Remember" will be highlighted in Jackson's address. She created a foundation to educate others about history and ensure the struggle for freedom and equality is not forgotten.
Kristin Chenoweth, an actress and Broadway star famous for originating the role of Glinda in "Wicked," will share her family history story on March 2. She sang with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during its 2018 Christmas concert.
Nancy Borowick, a renowned photographer and another keynote speaker for the event, created a photo tribute to her parents, who both passed away from cancer one year apart from each other. Now, she speaks to various audiences including at hospitals and oncology units.
In addition to hearing the four keynote speakers, people attending the conference will be able to hear from actor Kirby Heyborne, who emceed the 2023 conference.
Also on March 2, former BYU basketball player Jimmer Fredette will talk about his family, hold a meet-and-greet, and participate in a shoot-out with youth.
During Family Discovery Day, an event held that same day and designed for members of the church, a newly released video from the late President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be shared. In the video recorded before his passing, he speaks about his marriage and discovering his own family history.
RootsTech content will be available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Registration for virtual attendance at the conference is free on RootsTech.org. Registration for attending the experience in Salt Lake City, where in-person research help and classes with Q & As will be available, is also available at the same website.
The in-person experience includes a mobile app this year, which allows attendees to customize their schedules, network and obtain support in real time.
A new live-chat feature will also allow participants both online and in person to communicate with other viewers.
