Event Overview
Thursday, April 24, 2025; 6:00–9:00 p.m. ET
The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
138 St. James Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
6:00 - 6:45 pm Cocktails
6:45 - 9:00 pm Dinner and Program
Cocktail Attire.
2025 American Stories, American Lives Gala
The Power and Promise of Family History
Engaging in family history enriches lives. It is a source of joy, education, inspiration, empowerment, and a means of healing and repair. It is an undertaking that can profoundly influence the lives of individuals and holds the power to impact society positively. By exploring family histories, we uncover the stories of our ancestors—their triumphs, struggles, cultures, and traditions—and bring context and meaning to the world in which we live.
The American Stories, American Lives gala celebrates the work of American Ancestors and the contributions of those in the fields of genealogy and history.
Proceeds of the American Stories, American Lives Gala help fund our groundbreaking work, including educational programs, youth outreach, original research and scholarship, diversity programming, publications, online services, and content development.
In Conversation
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University. He is an Emmy and Peabody Award winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic, and institution builder. He is the host of the popular PBS show, Finding Your Roots, now in its eleventh season.
Bill Griffeth covered Wall Street for almost 40 years. In 2019 he retired from day-to-day anchoring duties at CNBC and became an Anchor-At-Large. Among many awards, he was nominated for six Cable ACE awards as Best News Anchor. Bill is the author of numerous books including The Stranger in My Genes and Strangers No More, both published by American Ancestors.
Kendra Taira Field is Associate Professor of History and Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at Tufts University. Field is the author of Growing Up with the Country: Family, Race, and Nation after the Civil War. As a public historian, Field co-founded the African American Trail Project and the Du Bois Forum, a retreat for writers, scholars, and artists of color.
Presenting Benefactors
Thomas B. Hagen
Gold Benefactors
Brady Brim-DeForest of Balvaird
Silver Benefactors
Cheryl L. Edwards
Gerry and MaryLee Halpin
Tawny Welch
Brookline Bank
Capital Group
Schwartz/Silver Architects
SIT Investments
Bronze Benefactors
Brenda L. Johnson
Aislie McEnteggart
Stephen J. McCarthy
Bonnie A. Reilly
Tim and Julia Schmolke
M. David Sherrill
Lionel and Vivian Spiro
Richard Lewis Taylor
Jonathan Buck Treat and Leslie Aitken
David M. Trebing
Morrison D. Webb
Dale and Jim Yoe
Shawmut Design and Construction
Parking and Directions
Parking
The Hotel offers the following valet parking services:
- Overnight Parking: $72 USD
- Late Fee: $30 for any time after 1 p.m.
- Daytime Function: $45 USD
- Evening Function: $45 USD
- Restaurant: $30 USD, with validation
For more information, please visit https://www.fairmont.com/copley-plaza-boston/
Contact
Questions? Please contact Special Events Manager Kelly Neagle at kelly.neagle@americanancestors.org or 617-226-1215.