Actor Courtney B. Vance hosts this special celebrating Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s work with focus on his five quintessential documentary series about American, African and African American history for PBS.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Courtney B. VanceSelf - Host | Self - Host |
 Ken BurnsSelf - Director and Producer | Self - Director and Producer |
 Deepak ChopraSelf - Author | Self - Author |
| KKwame Anthony AppiahSelf - New York Univeristy | Self - New York Univeristy |
 Jelani CobbSelf - Columbia University | Self - Columbia University |
| EEric DeggansSelf - NPR Television Critic | Self - NPR Television Critic |
| DDrew Gilpin FaustSelf - Harvard University | Self - Harvard University |
 Jodie FosterSelf - Actress and Director | Self - Actress and Director |
 Henry Louis Gates, Jr.Self - Professor, Author and Filmmaker | Self - Professor, Author and Filmmaker |
| PPaula KergerSelf - President of PBS | Self - President of PBS |
 LL Cool JSelf - Musician and Actor | Self - Musician and Actor |
| DDyllan McGeeSelf - Executive Produce | Self - Executive Produce |
 Cornel WestSelf - Harvard University | Self - Harvard University |