Ep 1. The Impression

In the season 4 premiere of Finding Your Roots, entitled "The Impression," Henry Louis Gates Jr. continues to explore the family trees of prominent figures in society. In this episode, he delves into the roots of three guests: director Ava DuVernay, politician Cory Booker, and musician Questlove.

DuVernay, known for her work on films such as Selma and A Wrinkle in Time, discovers an unexpected ancestor who was a free woman of color in the early 1800s. Gates helps her research her family further, uncovering a history of education and civic engagement that goes back generations.

Booker, a senator and former mayor of Newark, New Jersey, has long been aware of his family's involvement in the civil rights movement. However, Gates uncovers a lesser-known figure in his family tree: an ancestor who fought in the American Revolution. This discovery prompts Booker to reflect on the complex legacy of being both black and American.

Finally, Questlove, musician and drummer for The Roots, is surprised to learn that his family has a strong connection to music going back several generations. He discovers a great-great-grandfather who was a musician, and Gates even helps him track down a songbook that this ancestor used. Questlove also learns about an ancestor who was born into slavery but went on to found his own successful business after Emancipation.

As with previous episodes, Gates weaves together genealogy, history, and personal narrative to give viewers a deeper understanding of these individuals and their place in the world. "The Impression" is a poignant and illuminating look at how the past can shape the present.