Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Underwritten by Grand Bank

In 1997, Dr. Gates was recognized as one of Time magazine’s "25 Most Influential Americans." His influence as cultural critic is effected from his position as Chair of Afro-American Studies and Director of the Dubois Institute for Afro-American Studies at Harvard University. He is the author of nine books and serves on many committees and boards. In 1999 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Dr. Gates will address "Bridging the Digital Divide." It his his goal to get more black people into cyberspace. He is doing this through his Africana.com, recently sold to Time Warner, and will continue by means of after-school programs where black children can learn about their heritage by clicking on Africana.com. "It’s not back to the future—it’s black to the future," he says.