November 7, 2017
“Gates was honored for his tireless work highlighting the history and accomplishments of Africans and African Americas. He has written or authored 21 books and created 17 documentary films.
He said his most important work was unearthing the writings and artistic creations of African and African America artists that were lost to history. Gates is credited with re-discovering the first book published by an African American in the United States, ‘Our Nig: Sketches from the Life of a Free Black.'”