Henry Louis "Skip" Gates Jr. is an acclaimed American literary critic, teacher, historian, filmmaker, and public intellectual. He holds the prestigious position of the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and is the Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University.

Gates has made significant contributions to literature by rediscovering what are believed to be the earliest books by African-American writers, both of them women. His extensive publications promote the inclusion of African-American literature within the Western canon. Beyond his academic pursuits, Gates is also known for his role as a trustee of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

His influence extends into television, where since 2012, Gates has hosted the PBS series Finding Your Roots. The show explores the family histories and genealogy of notable American figures, combining expert research in history and genetic science to unveil the ancestral stories of its guests.