My Luckie Afternoon With Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.!:-)
If you are among my genea-friends on Twitter, there’s a good chance you joined me — by way of *tweet* — on one of the most exciting genea-days I’ve EVER experienced!
In short, my plans were to arrive early at the Rialto Theatre lecture of Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (sponsored by the Liberian International Development Foundation), get a “peek” at THE Skip Gates and then jet back to Coca-Cola in time for my 3PM meeting. *tweet* >> Well, looks like I’m all ready for this afternoon’s lecture by Dr. Henry Louis Gates! Woot-woot!:-)
BUT obviously, the Ancestors had other plans that I was not aware of!:-)
I did not plan to find myself standing next to Event Coordinator, Ivo Philbert’s Aunt (so sweet she was!:-) and that my good-natured teasing of not being granted a ticket with a “red star”, would lay the foundation for the afternoon’s events.
As a just in case gesture, I’d printed copies of questions received [via Twitter] from Angela Walton-Raji that echoed the genealogy community’s strong desire to benefit from the amazing resources and genetic testing technology, shared with African-American Lives and Faces of America celeb recipients.
However when Ivo informed me that Dr. Gates would not be taking questions, I sucked it up and sent my *tweet* >> Just found out Dr. Gates will not be taking questions!:-(
Moving on, I took my Orchestra seat and waited and *tweeted*…
By the time Dr. Gates took the stage I’d learned quite a bit about the migration of manumitted slaves to Liberia in the early 1800s — honestly never really knew this — and was getting antsy because the clock was ticking and I needed to GO!
One of the biggest surprises of the afternoon, was just how likable and engaging Skip (that what we Atlantan’s call him!:-) Gates was! Sure, I’ve always respected his work and deemed him a cultural role model but I never expected that a lecture from Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. would feel like a conversation with a really cool, well-informed dude from the community. Lawd, Skip Gates is OLD-SCHOOL!
Now, I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to hear more. The mini-video, sharing snippets of African-American Lives choked me up (as usual) and for the record — I love me some Don Cheadle! His presentation deck made my genealogy-habit hungry, of course I asked Ivo for a copy which he politely replied – nope!:-)
I was hooked — sharing laughs, life stories and the beauty of genealogy research with Skip Gates! How could I leave?!
When I finally got the strength to head for the door, Ivo caught my arm to inform me that Dr. Gates was going to accept questions AND that my questions would be answered! *tweet* >> OMG!!! Publicist just grabbed my arm — Gates is gonna take our questions!!!
If that wasn’t enough, when I showed Ivo that a COMMUNITY of dedicated GeneaBloggers were following me tweet-for-tweet, he quickly found me a power source down in the “red star” section (Uh-huh!:-) where I could plug-up my laptop and get busy!
I was told that when the lecture ended to make my way to the mic and be ready to ask my question! *tweet* >> I am scared senseless!:-) OMG! How did I get myself into this @AYWalton!!!
When I finally calmed down and got my turn, after introducing myself of course, I asked:
America’s strength is in her ordinary people. Any plans in the future to focus on them as the real “faces” of America?
I was thrilled to hear Dr. Gates respond that he was currently in talks with PBS regarding a series much like that — BINGO! When he referenced the AAL2 Contest Winner Kathleen Henderson, as one of America’s real faces, I acknowledged that yes, she was ONE real face but thousands of genealogists want the opportunity she was afforded and suggested a History Detectives type workshop that would empower genealogists with the tools they need to seek out their own answers!
When Dr. Gates remarked that a workshop was a great idea and informed the crowd that I was the REAL DEAL I was as done as a good Thanksgiving Day Turkey!:-)
It took me 20 minutes — talking, shaking hands, writing down contact info (yes — I need a business card!:-) and accepting information from attendees — to make it back to my seat to gather my computer.
Aside from my unexpected but awesome opportunity, I also learned that Dr. Gates and Ethelbert J.L. Cooper of Liberia have formed a new foundation African African-American Foundation (A2A) that I am anxious to learn more about AND that in Gates own words, they will “revolutionize the public school history curriculum” when they take DNA testing to the Inner-City! Wooo-hooo!:-)
This is THE KEY to turning our youth around — empowering them with the knowledge of who they are!
Aside from EVERYTHING great that happened today (including my 5 minutes of fame!), this was the moment, the words, that meant the most to me — work being invested in healing the spirits of our youth (our future)!
Dr. Gates ended the lecture by simply saying:
Genealogy will transform your life…
You certainly got that right — Genealogy can transform a life, has forever transformed mine and God willing, will continue to do so for MANY years to come…
So happy to have chatted with you [Skip ~ we're on a first name basis ya'll!:-] and looking forward to doing it again real soon — coffee is on me!:-)
Still floating on air…
Luckie “with the big cheezy grin” Daniels.
[Special thanks to Ivo Philbert of IVO Consulting, you are EVERYTHING an Event Coordinator should be and more! Without a doubt, you hooked a Sistah up!:-]
What a fabulous day! You must have floated out of there for pizza with your kids…
Toni
Great report! Love hearing of your experience and good job with the questions!
~~Joan
OMG. I followed your tweets, but couldn’t keep up with them going back and forth to A Walton. I thought others were going with you, but….well anyway, I’m sitting here in MO, quite happy for you and hoping something good comes out of it for the AA researchers and participants.
So does he work with any AA genealogists?
Kathleen
a3genealogy
What an amazing experience and entry. The one day I don’t stalk my favorite genea-tweeps during my lunch and I miss all of this, lol! Congrats on this amazing opportunity! You did us all proud!
Sara Beth
@InnerCompass
Thanks for sharing, love it.
I am so happy for you Luckie, how can anyone not see that shining light in you!
What a wonderful opportunity for you for them and for all genealogists…thank you..as Sara said it perfectly,… “you did us all proud”!
I was following all the tweets this afternoon and I could just sense the excitement – this is the power of social media. It allowed me in Chicago to feel like I was right there next to you.
Congrats on a great event and your ability to snag a Q&A opportunity with Dr. Gates!
Wow, Luckie you represented the genealogical community so very well. And as one who researches and documents the Freedmen of Indian Territoy–whom Dr. Gates has admitted that he knows nothing of—I am happy to hear that he is open to new avenues in the genealogical realm. It IS the ordinary people who are America’s strength and not those of fame and fortune that are the backbone of our nation.
Hopefully, the questions that I sent to you will provide some opportunity for reflection as the staffers of Kunhardt and others in Cambridge Mass, plan for future programs.
Your devotion as a researcher, blogger, and yes–a leader in the community represent the next generation of genealogists, and your assertion is what is needed in the 21st century fast-paced times in which we now live. You have honored the Ancestors today, and we were they were indeed proud of you.
Lucky, Lucky, Luckie! I loved sharing the afternoon with you. I am looking forward to those workshops.
-fM
Thank you, thank you, thank you for asking that question! Yes! Let’s get the plain folk on the tube with their genealogies!
Great work! And hug yourself again for getting one-on-one with Dr. Gates!
I got goosebumps just reading that. I LOVE the question you asked too. Perfect.
I am SO excited about the idea of taking genealogy to the inner city. That’s huge. The more kids get where they come from, the more they see how they can stand on the shoulders of their ancestors and rise above.
WOW!!! What an afternoon WE had, huh?!:-) All I could think about was this is OUR chance to be heard! It was the genea-day of DREAMS!:-)
Only after the pizza celebration, when I returned home to laundry, homework & baths did I realize I was officially back in Kansas!:-)
Until our next adventure! I love ya maannnnn!:-)
Luckie.
Wow, I would have been too excited to speak! What a wonderful opportunity!
Hey Luckie, Was so fun to read about your exciting experience! Thanks for sharing! BTW, I had the privilege of researching Katherine Henderson’s roots for AAL2. Did you know that over 2,000 videos were submitted for that chance?? Was a kick to find the unexpected connection to Skip! You just never know . . .
So glad I decided to join you yesterday. I could hear your excitement in every tweet.
I normally try to stay off of Twitter at work. But I am SO glad I didn’t yesterday. I was vicariously living out my own dreams through you. Thank you, for sharing that with all of us…live! I would have been too nervous to ask my question, let alone tweet! Dr. Gates summed you up well. You are the real deal! (-:
Luckie,
When you do your business cards, consider Moo-Minis. fM brought her Moo-Mavens to Jamboree last year. They were a huge hit.
What an experience!! Thanks for sharing.
That is truly an amazing day. I’m in genealogy jealousy!! LOL. but glad the ancestors put you in place to ask those questions!!!
Wow! Luckie!
(I’m on the late freight, here).
That had to be a great moment!
Representing us ‘regular folks’!
To that, I say, THANK YOU!
Peace,
“Guided by the Ancestors”
Go on with your bad self, Luckie. I heard about your adventure through the Afrigeneas chat. I am so pleased to read more about your adventure on your blog. Thanks for representing the blogging and genealogy communities.
Luckie,
What else can be said?
You are a guiding light and I, among many others, look towards you for encouragement and direction. Thank you for being there on the horizon.
P.s. Hi, Angela…
Jack
GySgt., U.S. Marine Corps, ret.
Hi Luckie. Thanks for asking Skip what I’ve been dying to know about – genealogy that honors and helps the regular folk, not just the celebs. I love your site…it’s so informative and engaging and I look forward to following your journey.
Best,
Dionne (findingjosephine.com)
I love it… the ancestor’s are simply blowing breaths into your ears every day. I wish I had been there, it sounds like it was an incredible event.
Luckie, you sure had the right name at the Rialto! Wowwwww… And taking DNA testing to the inner city – what a MARVELous idea! This will be a HUGE life-changing experience for many!
Dear Luckie, I found out from watching Skip Gates on television that he is a distant relative of mine related through the Redman family in Hardie County, Virginia.
Thanks everyone for your show of support! The afternoon would not have been 1/2 the fun had I not had you guys/gals to share it with!:-)
Here’s to our genea-future! Something tells me, we’re just getting started!:-)
Luckie.
Luckie, just back from travel since the event and finally able to catch up. What an awesome write up! On behalf of the Liberian International Development Foundation, thank you for your support of “A Conversation with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.!” You definitely added to the success of the event. For more information on the Liberian International Development Foundation, please visit ww.liberiafoundation.org.
To learn more about IVO Consulting,visit http://www.ivoconsulting.com!
All the best!
Ooops, that should have been http://www.liberiafoundation.org.
Ivo, thanks so much for tagging OGR! As you can see from the comments, we had a captivated audience that day! Looking forward to future events, you did a MARVELOUS job!
Here’s hoping Dr. Gates heard my request. The community is waiting & hoping with me!:-)
Luckie.
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