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Artistic Roots

Season 12 Episode 8 | 52m 09s

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the roots of filmmaker Spike Lee and Broadway superstar Kristin Chenoweth, uncovering ancestors who made bold decisions to lay the groundwork for their success. Moving from the Texas frontier to World War One battlefields to plantations in the old South, Gates introduces his guests to the women and men who used their creativity to build a future for their families.

Aired: 02/23/26 | Expires: 03/26/26
Corporate support for Season 11 of FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. is provided by Gilead Sciences, Inc., Ancestry® and Johnson & Johnson. Major support is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Support is also provided by Ford Foundation; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Candace King Weir; by the Inkwell Society together with many of its members; and by public television viewers.
Extras
Explore the life and legacy of notable Black scholar and civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois.
Follow filmmaker Julie Forrest Wyman as she searches for her place in the little people community.
Rosalind faces a troubling domestic issue as Joyce befriends a single mother with placenta previa.
A potential rabies outbreak causes panic in Poplar. Trixie cares for a patient in difficult labor.
One woman exposes abuse within Amish communities and helps survivors find the strength to speak out.
Preview: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Hour 3
The new season kicks off in 1971 as several of the ladies embrace Women’s Lib.
The new season kicks off in 1971 as several of the ladies embrace Women’s Lib.
It’s 1971, and a new era of social change dawns as the nuns and midwives face serious cases.
Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces musicians Flea and Lizzo to their inspiring ancestors.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. heads west to map the family trees of Sara Haines and Tracy Letts.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of basketball stars Brittney Griner and Chris Paul.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Lizzy Caplan and comedian Hasan Minhaj.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the Caribbean heritage of Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of rapper Wiz Khalifa and actor Sanaa Lathan.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers America Ferrera & Darren Criss’ immigrant ancestors.
Family mysteries are solved for actor Laurence Fishburne & scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Sheryl Lee Ralph & historian Lonnie Bunch.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family trees of actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey.