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Author Talk: ‘The Black Box: Writing the Race’
Harvard’s DR. HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. distills his legendary African American Studies course into the story of Black American literary self-definition in his live talks and groundbreaking book The Black Box: Writing the Race. This conversation with Dr. Gates, Jr. elucidates the epic stories of brilliant creative thinkers from the nation’s founding through to today, touching on questions of identity, community, and self-definition.
Opportunities for Unity
Harvard University Professor and cultural critic DR. HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. shares his experiences as an award-winning documentary filmmaker and scholar to provide a fresh perspective on building unity in organizational contexts.
Finding Your Roots
Based on his groundbreaking PBS series of the same name, HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. shares insights from his influential series about genealogy, genetics, and history’s impact on our lives today. This keynote features a stunning visual presentation, including Professor Gates’ favorite moments from the show, such as the memorable appears of the late Congressman John Lewis.
DEI from Reconstruction to Today
Cultural critic and esteemed literary scholar HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. traces the influences of the history of Reconstruction on today’s vital issues, showing how that vital period of history is a mirror for what is happening in politics and society today. Professor Gates illuminates the historical impact in our current conversations about voter suppression, the rise of racist rhetoric, and increasing bipartisanship, and offers insights about the ongoing challenges as well as opportunities facing us today.
American Ancestors Dedicates Boston Headquarters to Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. at Grand Opening of the Family Heritage Experience
In a celebration of heritage, identity, and the power of storytelling, American Ancestors® officially opened its groundbreaking Family Heritage Experience today, marking the occasion by naming its newly renovated Back Bay building in honor of renowned historian and Harvard University professor DR. HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR.
“This exhibition is not just about history—it’s about identity, connection, and discovery,” said Dr. Gates, best known for his work on the PBS series Finding Your Roots, told the Boston Real Estate Times. “This is the best day of my life! I’m deeply honored to be part of a space that invites everyone to explore the rich stories of where they come from.”
See Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s skill as a keynote speaker here >>
Dr. Henry Louis Gates awarded the Vilcek Prize for Excellence in Literary Scholarship
Winning both the prestigious Spingarn Medal from the NAACP and the Vilcek Prize for Excellence in Literary Scholarship highlights Harvard University’s Emmy Award-winning Professor DR. HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR’s combination of widely-respected scholarly authority, amazing storytelling ability, and broad inter-cultural relevance, which taken together make him an ideal keynote speaker. Dr. Gates has made history and culture accessible to millions through his PBS shows like the extraordinarily popular series, Finding Your Roots, which blends entertainment with deep historical insights. His recognition elevates the significance of any event he participates in, attracting attention from media, academics, and thought leaders alike; his presence gives a sense of prestige and importance to any conference, symposium, or event.
Inviting Dr. Gates, recent Vilcek Prize awardee, to your event shows that you are aligning your event with values of education and intellectual exploration, highlighting the importance of preserving and advancing the study of history, literature, and culture.
Event Success Story: Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. ignites the Homestead Community Land Trust audience, and “community members are still talking about his appearance”
Emmy and Peabody award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, and acclaimed thinker Dr. HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. joined the Homestead Community Land Trust for their annual benefit event in Seattle. Drawing on the work of his celebrated PBS series Finding Your Roots, Professor Gates inspired Homestead’s audience with a history-focused program urging lawmakers to consider the past while driving towards a better future.
With his background as an esteemed professor and researcher, Professor Gates gave an honest but uplifting reflection on how voter suppression, the rise of racist rhetoric, and increasing bipartisanship have contributed to the factors governing today’s housing market. While he incorporated hard truths, Professor Gates carried an accessible and ultimately uplifting tone, keeping the audience engaged through his insightful reflections.
The Homestead Community Land Trust gave him a glowing review: “Our event with Dr. Gates was everything we hoped for and more. In exploring the rise and fall of reconstruction, he drew people into deeper awareness of the historical seeds of present-day inequities that make our work necessary and vital. Community members are still talking about his appearance; it will not soon be forgotten, and it will have lasting impact for good here in Seattle.”
See Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s skill as a keynote speaker here >>
Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s legendary Harvard course is now a book: ‘The Black Box: Writing the Race’
Harvard’s DR. HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. has distilled his legendary African American Studies course into the story of Black self-definition in America through the prism of the writers who have led the way in The Black Box: Writing the Race. Dr. Gates, Jr. details the literary history of how Black Americans have used the written word to define and redefine themselves, in resistance to the lies of racism and often in heated disagreement with each other, over the course of the country’s history. The New York Times reviewed, “This is a literary history of Black America, but it is also an argument that African American history is inextricable from the history of African American literature.”
Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. is an unparalleled MLK Day and Black History Month speaker
As the director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University, DR. HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. is the best possible speaker for a thoughtful, educational, and uplifting MLK Day or Black History Month.
Dr. Gates has spoken on civil rights at Columbia University, Yale University, The Brookings Institute, and many more. Upon booking Dr. Gates for a regional MLK Day engagement, Peoria City’s Mayor said, “As we gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we are honored to have one of the most widely known scholars on African American studies in the world today.”
Dr. Gates’ message of unity brings hope to audiences nationwide. Routinely booked out through the beginning of every year, reach out soon to inquire about bringing Dr. Gates to your organization.
Watch Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. in conversation with Amanpour and Co. >>
Dr. Henry Louis Gates’s Great Migrations is a reflection on migration’s impact on culture, politics, and identity
HENRY LOUIS GATES, a leading historian, scholar, and acclaimed documentary filmmaker, is a powerhouse speaker who brings unmatched insight and passion to every stage. As the host and executive producer of PBS's Great Migrations: A People on the Move, Dr. Gates crafts compelling narratives that highlight the profound impact of African American migration on American society. This groundbreaking four-part docuseries explores the historical and ongoing shifts in the African American experience, demonstrating how migration has shaped culture, politics, and identity across generations. Dr. Gates' work dives deep into the rich histories and personal stories that define the African diaspora. His expertise in African American history and his ability to connect complex historical events to contemporary issues make him a captivating and insightful speaker for any organization looking to engage with themes of culture, migration, identity, and social change.
Dr. Gates’s powerful presentations blend historical expertise, personal narrative, and cultural analysis in a way that inspires, educates, and challenges audiences. His thought-provoking work continues to spark conversations and inspire action, making him an ideal choice for speaking engagements that seek to address the ongoing cultural movements shaping our world.
Invite Dr. Henry Louis Gates to speak at your next event and allow your audience to explore the deep impact of migration, identity, and the African American experience through the eyes of one of the foremost scholars of our time.
Watch Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. in conversation with Amanpour and Co. >>
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University. Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic, and institution builder, Professor Gates’s most recent books are The Black Box: Writing the Race, Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow and The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song. He has also produced and hosted an array of documentary films. The Black Church (PBS) and Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches (HBO), which he executive produced, each received Emmy nominations. His latest history series for PBS are Gospel and Making Black America: Through the Grapevine. Finding Your Roots, Gates’s groundbreaking genealogy and genetics series, is in its tenth season on PBS.
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