Award-Winning Filmmaker; Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University

Boston, MA, USA
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Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Biography

Henry Louis Gates Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University (on leave 2025-26). Gates is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic, and institution builder. He has published numerous books and produced and hosted a range of documentary films. "The Black Church" on PBS and "Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches" on HBO, both executive produced by Gates, received Emmy nominations. "Finding Your Roots," Gates’s genealogy and genetics series, has aired multiple seasons on PBS. He also created the history series "Gospel" for PBS.

Gates has received several honorary degrees, including from the University of Cambridge. He was a member of the first class awarded MacArthur Foundation "genius grants" and became the first African American scholar to receive the National Humanities Medal. Gates discovered "The Bondwoman’s Narrative" by Hannah Craft, recognized as the first novel written by a Black female author.

A native of Piedmont, West Virginia, Gates earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Yale University and a Master of Arts and doctorate in English literature from Clare College at Cambridge, where he is also an honorary fellow. Gates is a former chair of the Pulitzer Prize board and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He serves on boards including New York Public Library, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Aspen Institute, Whitney Museum of American Art, Library of America, and The Studio Museum of Harlem. His portrait by Yuqi Wang is displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Gates is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

BOOK Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 01/25/2026.

Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Speaking Topics

  • Finding Your Roots

Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Videos

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. ('Finding Your Roots') reveals Iliza ...

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. ('Finding Your Roots') reveals Iliza ...

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. ('Finding Your Roots') reveals how Iliza Shlesinger had one of the most memorable reactions to her family tree.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. On Black Identity And Taking A Stand Against

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. On Black Identity And Taking A Stand Against

African American History and the Culture Wars with Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Discovered Pope Leo

Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Discovered Pope Leo

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. talks about discovering Pope Leo's genetic ties to Madonna Angelina Jolie Justin Bieber and more.

  • How do I book Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to speak at my event?

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  • What topics does Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. speak about?

    Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Anti-Racism, Author, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Civil Rights, Culture, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, History, Professors, Social Activism, Social Justice
  • Where does Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. travel from?

    Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. generally travels from Boston, MA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Finding Your Roots. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. for your event is available upon request. Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. generally travels from Boston, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Michael Eric Dyson, Ijeoma Oluo, Bakari Sellers, Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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