Henry Louis Gates Jr. Explores America's 'Infinite Storylines'

The 'Finding Your Roots' host discusses famous guests, his new show 'Black and Jewish in America,' and fighting hate.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:39am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Henry Louis Gates Jr., the host of the popular genealogy series 'Finding Your Roots,' discusses the show's latest season, which features a diverse array of guests including musicians Rhiannon Giddens, Lizzo, Wiz Khalifa, and Flea. Gates also talks about his new PBS series 'Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History' and his efforts to combat the rise of hatred and white supremacy in the country.

Why it matters

Gates' work on 'Finding Your Roots' has captivated viewers by exploring the complex and often surprising family histories of prominent figures, shedding light on the 'infinite storylines' that make up the American experience. His new project examining the intertwined histories of Black and Jewish Americans also comes at a critical time, as the nation grapples with growing antisemitism and racism.

The details

Over 12 seasons, 'Finding Your Roots' has profiled hundreds of people, tracing their family trees and uncovering both joyful and painful truths about their ancestry. This season features a diverse array of musicians, including Rhiannon Giddens, whose family tree includes a moonshiner, a Confederate soldier who owned enslaved people, and an enslaved ancestor. Other guests include Lizzo, whose ancestors were nearly sent to Liberia as part of the American Colonization Society's plan, and Wiz Khalifa, who learned the heroic story of his great-grandfather who fought in World War II. While Gates has faced some controversies, such as the revelation that Ben Affleck's ancestors owned enslaved people, he remains committed to uncovering the full truth, even when it's uncomfortable.

  • In 1844, Lizzo's ancestors were slaves on a Mississippi plantation and almost got sent to Liberia.
  • Flea's great-great-grandfather emigrated from Hungary in the early 1850s to join the gold rush.
  • Wiz Khalifa's great-grandfather joined the Army in 1943 and was sent to New Guinea during World War II.

The players

Henry Louis Gates Jr.

The host of the genealogy series 'Finding Your Roots' and the upcoming PBS series 'Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History'.

Rhiannon Giddens

A musician who has appeared on 'Finding Your Roots' and is known for her connections to early American music.

Lizzo

A musician who appeared on the latest season of 'Finding Your Roots' and learned that her ancestors were nearly sent to Liberia as part of the American Colonization Society's plan.

Wiz Khalifa

A musician who appeared on the latest season of 'Finding Your Roots' and learned the heroic story of his great-grandfather who fought in World War II.

Flea

A musician who appeared on the latest season of 'Finding Your Roots' and is the show's first Australian-born guest.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To be of the South is to hold infinite storylines. This is the fullness of who we are.”

— Rhiannon Giddens (Rolling Stone)

“I know you're coming after me, but I'm afraid of what you would find on my Southern roots.”

— Anonymous actor (Rolling Stone)

What’s next

Gates' new series 'Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History' is set to premiere on PBS on February 3, 2026.

The takeaway

Through his work on 'Finding Your Roots' and his upcoming series, Gates continues to shed light on the complex and often surprising histories that make up the American experience, while also using his platform to combat the rise of hatred and white supremacy in the country.