Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 21 at 6 p.m. on KPBS TV / On demand with KPBS Passport!
On this episode, host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves deep into the roots of two African-American guests, actor S. Epatha Merkerson and athlete and television personality Michael Strahan. Both discover unexpected stories that challenge assumptions about black history.
About Season 5:
Season 5 features an array of celebrated guests who are cultural trailblazers with fascinating family stories, including Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei; Emmy and Golden Globe Award winners Laura Linney and S. Epatha Merkerson; and actors Michael K. Williams, Andy Samberg, Chloë Sevigny and Kal Penn. This season also includes superstar author George R.R. Martin; acclaimed journalists Christiane Amanpour, Ann Curry, Joe Madison and Lisa Ling; bestselling author and Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg; TV hosts Seth Meyers and Michael Strahan; artists Marina Abramovic and Kehinde Wiley; politicians Marco Rubio, Tulsi Gabbard and Paul Ryan; Academy Award-winning filmmakers Alejandro Innaritu and Michael Moore; and comedians Tig Notaro and Sarah Silverman.
WATCH ON YOUR SCHEDULE:
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FINDING YOUR ROOTS GENETICS AND GENEALOGY CURRICULUM
In a very personal episode, the new season also explores Gates’ own DNA story and takes a look at how science and history can inspire the next generation.
Concerned about the lack of diversity in STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Gates worked with Penn State professor Nina Jablonski and a committed group of historians, artists, biologists, geneticists, anthropologists, genealogists and educators to develop the “Finding Your Roots Genetics and Genealogy Curriculum,” an educational model that invited students to consider who they are genetically, geologically/socio-culturally and intentionally.
Once designed, the team piloted the curriculum in a two-week camp environment at two different locations in the U.S., where students developed hypotheses and research protocols. The project video won Facilitator’s Choice and Viewer’s Choice awards at the 2018 STEM For All Video Showcase, receiving tens of thousands of unique visitors from 154 countries.
Assembling the extensive family trees and family narratives alongside Dr. Gates are DNA expert CeCe Moore (Founder, The DNA Detective) and expert genealogist Johni Cerny (Founder, Lineages). Watch 9 episodes with the young scientists who took part in the very first Finding Your Roots Genetics and Genealogy camp!
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Explore and share your family histories via social media, using the hashtag #FindingYourRoots.
FINDING YOUR ROOTS is on Facebook.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is on Facebook, Instagram + @HenryLouisGates on Twitter
CREDITS:
A production of McGee Media, Inkwell Films, Kunhardt Films and WETA Washington, D.C., in association with Ark Media. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the writer, host, and executive producer. Dyllan McGee and Peter Kunhardt are executive producers. Dalton Delan and Anne Harrington are executive producers in charge for WETA. Bill Gardner is the executive in charge for PBS. Sabin Streeter of Ark Media is the senior producer. Hanna Olson is the series producer. Hazel Gurland-Pooler and Sabin Streeter are directors.
