Early Years
Henry Louis Gates Jr. was born on September 16, 1950 in Keyser, West Virginia. His parents, Henry Louis Gates Sr. and Pauline Augusta Coleman Gates, were poor but loving and hardworking. From an early age, he was instilled with a passion for education and a sense of pride in the African American community.
Career
Gates is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and founding director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. He is also a professor at Yale Law School and the University of Michigan Law School.
Encarta: A Pioneer in the African American Community
Henry Louis Gates Jr. is a pioneer in the African American community who has dedicated his life to creating educational programs and resources to bring African American and African diasporic history to light and to celebrate the accomplishments of Black people. He is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and founding director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. Gates has written 26 books, produced six documentary series, and founded the Encarta Africana encyclopedia and the Encarta Africana multimedia CD-ROM. He is also the executive producer of Wonders of the African World, the first documentary series to explore the great civilizations of Africa.
Geneology: Illuminating African American History
Henry Louis Gates Jr. has made a tremendous impact on African American history and geneology. He is the executive producer of African American Lives, the first African American-centered genetic genealogy series, which illuminated the genealogical history of prominent African Americans. Through this project, Gates provided a platform for African Americans to learn about their ancestry, which was often lost due to the history of enslavement. He also wrote the book In Search of Our Roots: How 19 Extraordinary African Americans Reclaimed Their Past, which documented the genealogical journeys of 19 prominent African Americans.
Educator: A Beacon of Knowledge
Henry Louis Gates Jr. is an educator, philosopher, and mentor to generations of African Americans. He is a professor at Yale Law School and the University of Michigan Law School, and has taught at many universities, including Harvard and Princeton. Gates has written a number of books about African American history and culture, including Colored People: A Memoir, The Trials of Phillis Wheatley, and African American Lives. He is also an active member of the African American community, advocating for the education and empowerment of African Americans. Gates' work has had a lasting impact on generations of African Americans and will continue to inspire future generations.
Accomplishments
Gates has accomplished a great deal in his lifetime, including:
- Writing 26 books, including Colored People: A Memoir, The Trials of Phillis Wheatley, and African American Lives
- Producing six documentary series, including Wonders of the African World and Africa’s Great Civilizations
- Founding the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University
- Creating educational programs and resources to bring African American and African diasporic history to light
