NATCHEZ — A grant will soon allow a nationwide conversation on history and slavery to return to its roots.

Locals can score free education, entertainment and a DVD Sunday, June 5 at a screening of PBS documentary “A Prince Among Slaves” at the City Auditorium.

The 90-minute documentary portrays the life of West African prince Abdul Rahman, who was enslaved in Natchez in 1788 for 40 years before winning his freedom.

“It’s a great story; you wouldn’t believe it was true,” said George W. Armstrong administrative assistant Casey Hughes said.

Terry Alford, who wrote the book for which the film was based, and Amad Shakur, the founder of a Charlotte, N.C., research institute called Center for the African Diaspora, will lead group discussions following the film.

A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture museum.

The screening in Natchez and 15 other cities was funded by a grant from The National Endowments for Humanities to the documentary filmmaker company, Unity Productions Foundation, a nonprofit.

Hughes said the goal is to allow the film to trigger conversations about the lessons of Rahman’s life applies to today’s world.

“The film brings up several issues and the idea is to have the community talking about it,” Hughes said.