PBS’ Finding Your Roots, author and Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates has been named the Los Angeles Press Club’s 2023 Luminary Awardee for Career Achievement.
“What a wonderful honor, truly a lovely surprise,” said Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Gates has written, produced and hosted the popular PBS show Finding Your Roots for more than a decade. The show focuses on the work of genetic researchers, who give insights to guests about their history and that of their ancestors.
“Through these fascinating DNA investigations, Henry Louis Gates Jr. has helped shed light on American history as well as the saga of individual families,” said Los Angeles Press Club President Lisa Richwine.
Gates is a professor, literary critic, historian and renowned filmmaker. He has devoted his career to the impact of African-American literature on culture.
He has worked tirelessly for educational and social equality for Black people and continues to play a prominent role in fighting for the position of African Americans in the U.S. history canon. He advocates for advancing all people through history education and continued learning.
The Luminary Award for Career Achievement will be presented at the 16th National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards Gala on Sunday, December 3rd at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel DTLA.
In addition to honoring Henry Lous Gates, Jr., there will be several other honorees to be announced in the upcoming days.
The evening will be dedicated to Bob Barker, our 2015 Legend Awardee.
Hundreds of journalists and media executives are expected to attend this prestigious event.
Proceeds from the Gala are the largest source of income for the Los Angeles Press Club a 501(c) 3 that speaks for journalists across all media platforms. All contributions are tax-deductible.
For more information about this event or to sponsor, advertise or buy tickets go to www.LApressclub.org or contact Executive Director Diana Ljungaeus at 310.210.1860 or email Diana-AT-LApressclub.org.
The LAPC is one of the oldest and most respected journalist organizations in the nation with a storied history of honoring the most celebrated reporters of the past century. In recent years the Los Angeles Press Club has continued to uphold its tradition of acknowledging excellence in spite of the fact that Journalism itself has struggled in the face of ever-declining budgets
