Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s dream as a 10-year-old boy was to trace his roots and unveil his genealogical history. Now, more than 40 years later, Gates has not only accomplished his goal, he is also helping others to do the same, through www.theroot.com and the second installment of a documentary, “African American Lives 2.”

“These discoveries about our ancestors are fascinating stories that every one, regardless of race, can identify with and draw inspiration from,” Gates said. “They’re stories that together offer a new understanding of not only the African American experience, but also of race in America.”

After the death of his grandfather, Gates, a Harvard University professor and author, said he was obsessed with knowing his history.

Gates holds a master’s degree in English Literature from Clare College at the University of Cambridge and a bachelor of arts degree from Yale University. He was the first Black person to receive a Mellon Fellowship. He has earned nearly 50 honorary degrees and has taught at Yale, Duke and Cornell universities.

In the installment of “African American Lives,” launched in 2006 and 2007, Gates traced Oprah Winfrey’s roots.

The first episode of “African American Lives 2” featured stories of Tom Joyner, radio personality, whose great uncles were electrocuted for crimes they did not commit. Joyner and his family had been told that his uncles were lynched, but through Gates’ research, they discovered that they were killed, despite witness statements that they were innocent. Joyner is now rallying for his great uncles to be exonerated.

The second episode features actors Chris Rock and Don Cheadle. Rock learned that his maternal great-grandfather was a Civil War veteran and was twice elected to the South Carolina State Legislature. He also found out that his ancestors were enslaved by the Chicksaw Indians and taken to Oklahoma.

“Through even a greater depth of research and more powerful storytelling, all of the stories in ‘African American Lives 2’ share a common thread – they show the value of knowing who you are and where you come from,” Gates said.

The series also feature Maya Angelou, Morgan Freeman, Linda Johnson Rice, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Tina Turner.

In addition to the televised series, Gates plans to launch a curriculum to revamp the teaching of African American history.

“I want the curriculum to revolutionize how Black history is taught,” he said. “Our kids are not doing well in science and our kids are not doing well in history.”

Additionally, www.pbs.org/aalives2 will provide resources for individuals to research their genealogical history. Teachers can also obtain information that can be taught in classrooms.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History features kiosks to teach individuals how to trace their heritage. Last week, nearly 200 educators visited the museum to learn how to implement the program in their classrooms.

“That is how ‘African American Lives 2’ has legs and moves,” Gates said. “We’ve lost our way because we lost our history; we lost our history because we lost our history because it was painful.”

Gates encourages people to face the emotional challenge and truth about their heritage to understand their history.

General Motors’ Buick brand sponsored the series, which airs on PBS Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. Visit www.detroitptv.org, for additional air times.