Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (ΦBK, Yale University) is the recipient of Phi Beta Kappa’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Humanities. The Society presented the award to Gates during the 47th Triennial Council.
Presented once every three years, the award recognizes individuals for their significant contributions in the field of the humanities. It includes a $10,000 prize and a medal named for Mr. and Mrs. William B. Jaffe, whose gift enabled the creation of the award in 1970. Mr. Jaffe was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Union College.
“Henry Louis Gates, Jr. exemplifies the very best of the humanities through his groundbreaking research, compelling storytelling, and unwavering dedication to cultural education,” remarked Secretary Frederick M. Lawrence. “His achievements have illuminated important aspects of our collective history and will have a lasting impact on both academia and society. It is a privilege to present him with this distinguished award.”
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University. Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic, and institution builder, Gates has published numerous books and produced and hosted an array of documentary films. The Black Church (PBS) and Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches (HBO), which he executive-produced, each received Emmy nominations. In January 2025, Finding Your Roots, Gates’s groundbreaking genealogy and genetics series, will return for its 11th season on PBS. His four-part history series for PBS, Gospel, premiered in February 2024.
Phi Beta Kappa Secretary Frederick M. Lawrence presents Henry Louis Gates, Jr. with the Jaffe medal.