Bill Haley, Jr.

Bill Haley, Jr. Speaker Biography

Grandson of Roots Author Alex Haley, Co-Founder of the Inherited Roots Project, and Advocate for Cultural Heritage, Diversity, and Family History

Bill Haley, Jr. is a cultural heritage advocate, co-founder of the Inherited Roots Project, and grandson of legendary author Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize-winning book Roots: The Saga of an American Family transformed America’s understanding of slavery, ancestry, and the importance of preserving family history. As a direct descendant of the family whose extraordinary story inspired one of the most influential books and television productions in American history, Haley carries forward a remarkable legacy of storytelling, cultural discovery, and historical preservation. Through his work connecting African American communities with their ancestral heritage in The Gambia, he encourages people of all backgrounds to explore their family histories, appreciate cultural diversity, and recognize the connections that unite generations. With the 50th anniversary of the publication of Roots in 2026 and the approaching 50th anniversary of its groundbreaking television adaptation in 2027, Bill Haley, Jr. is helping introduce his grandfather’s enduring message to new audiences.

Keynote Speaker Bill Haley, Jr. at a Glance

• Grandson of Alex Haley: Continues the legacy of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Roots: The Saga of an American Family.
• Co-Founder of the Inherited Roots Project: Works with Malick Manga to preserve the historical and cultural connections between African Americans, The Gambia, and the African diaspora.
• Cultural Heritage Advocate: Participates in international initiatives celebrating African ancestry, historical preservation, and intergenerational storytelling.
• Roots 50th Anniversary Ambassador: Helps commemorate the book’s 2026 golden anniversary and the television miniseries’ upcoming 2027 milestone.
• International Heritage Collaborator: Has worked with Gambian community leaders, diplomatic representatives, and cultural organizations to strengthen historical ties.
• Champion of Educational Opportunity: Supports descendants of the Kinteh family in The Gambia through educational sponsorship.
• Former Disney Professional: Brings experience creating meaningful family experiences to his work promoting cultural heritage and ancestral discovery.
• Recipient of a 2026 Maryland Governor’s Citation: Recognized for his participation in a Roots 50th-anniversary program.

Growing Up as the Grandson of Alex Haley

Bill Haley, Jr. was born in New York City to William “Bill” Haley, Sr., the only son of Alex Haley, and Lelia Haley. Growing up in a family whose history would become internationally celebrated, he experienced firsthand the extraordinary impact of his grandfather’s commitment to discovering and preserving his ancestral heritage. In January 1977, when the landmark television miniseries Roots premiered, Bill was just 11 years old, approaching his twelfth birthday. Like more than 130 million viewers, he watched the dramatic story of Kunta Kinteh and his descendants unfold over eight consecutive nights. Unlike most Americans, however, the people portrayed on screen were members of his own family history. The experience filled him with pride, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility, while the sudden national attention surrounding his grandfather initially proved overwhelming for a shy young boy. Over time, Bill Haley came to appreciate the extraordinary significance of his family’s story and the opportunity to help preserve its lessons for future generations.

The Extraordinary Legacy of Roots: The Saga of an American Family

Published in 1976, Alex Haley’s Roots: The Saga of an American Family became a cultural phenomenon that fundamentally changed how millions of Americans understood African American history, slavery, and the importance of ancestry. The book traced the Haley family’s history through generations, beginning with the story of Kunta Kinteh, a young African man taken from his homeland in The Gambia and enslaved in colonial America. Its success was followed by the groundbreaking 1977 television adaptation, which became one of the most widely watched productions in television history and received nine Emmy Awards. Alex Haley received a special Pulitzer Prize in 1977 for his extraordinary contribution to American literature and historical understanding. The book and television series inspired an unprecedented interest in genealogy, encouraging families across racial, cultural, and national backgrounds to investigate their origins and preserve stories that might otherwise be lost. For Bill Haley, Jr., the legacy of Roots is both a profound family inheritance and an ongoing responsibility to encourage historical understanding, cultural appreciation, and connections between generations.

Preserving the Haley Family’s Ancestral Connection to The Gambia

One of the most important elements of Alex Haley’s research was his connection with Ebou Manga, a Gambian student whom he met in 1966 while investigating the African words preserved through generations of family storytelling. Manga helped interpret the family’s oral history and became instrumental in connecting Haley with individuals and communities in The Gambia who could assist his search. Their collaboration ultimately helped lead Alex Haley to Juffureh, the Gambian village associated with his family’s ancestral history. The relationship between the two men developed into a lifelong friendship that continues through their descendants. Today, Bill Haley, Jr. maintains a close friendship and professional partnership with Ebou Manga’s son, Malick Manga. Together, they work to preserve the historical connections established by their fathers and grandfathers while encouraging new generations to appreciate the importance of family history, cultural understanding, and international cooperation.

The Haley Family’s Return to Its Ancestral Homeland

Following Alex Haley’s death in 1992, Bill Haley, Jr. and his father helped organize a meaningful return to the family’s ancestral homeland. In 1994, they partnered with McDonald’s to sponsor the Haley Family’s Adventure to the Homeland, a weeklong journey that brought family members to The Gambia and Senegal. The experience provided an opportunity to reconnect with the communities, landscapes, and traditions that had played such an important role in Alex Haley’s research. For Bill, the journey reinforced the importance of maintaining relationships with the people and places connected to his family’s history. His commitment to The Gambia has continued through subsequent visits, cultural initiatives, and personal investments in the region. Haley owns land in the Juffureh and Albreda area and has supported members of the Kinteh family through college, extending his family’s tradition of preserving cultural relationships while creating educational opportunities for future generations.

Co-Founder of the Inherited Roots Project

Bill Haley, Jr. is the co-founder of the Inherited Roots Project, a nonprofit organization established with Malick Manga to honor and preserve the intertwined legacies of Alex Haley and Ebou Manga. The organization’s mission extends beyond celebrating the historical achievements associated with Roots. It seeks to inspire individuals and families throughout the African diaspora and around the world to investigate their ancestral histories, understand their cultural identities, and reconnect with the communities and traditions that shaped previous generations. Drawing on his professional experience with Disney and his family’s extraordinary heritage, Haley is helping develop initiatives that make ancestral discovery meaningful and accessible to new audiences. The Inherited Roots Project emphasizes that understanding one’s origins can strengthen identity, encourage respect for cultural differences, and create meaningful relationships across national and generational boundaries.

International Cultural Diplomacy and Community Engagement

Bill Haley’s commitment to preserving his family’s history has taken him to important cultural and diplomatic events in the United States and West Africa. In 2016, he participated in The Gambia’s International Roots Festival, an event celebrating the connections between the African diaspora and its ancestral homeland. He returned in January 2023 with Malick Manga to commemorate several significant anniversaries associated with Roots and Alex Haley’s historic journey to The Gambia. During that visit, the two met with representatives of Gambian government agencies, private organizations, and cultural institutions, and attended a reception hosted by then-U.S. Ambassador Sharon L. Cromer. In December 2024, Haley and Manga participated in hosting a presidential delegation from The Gambia during a visit to the United States. The delegation’s activities included meetings with selected members of the Congressional Black Caucus and a special viewing of historical documents at the Maryland State Archives. These experiences reflect Haley’s continuing efforts to strengthen international relationships through shared history, cultural appreciation, and educational engagement.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Roots in 2026 and 2027

The years 2026 and 2027 represent extraordinary milestones in the legacy of Alex Haley and the cultural impact of Roots. The original book celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, followed by the golden anniversary of the historic television miniseries in 2027. Bill Haley, Jr. has embraced these commemorations as opportunities to renew public interest in African American history, ancestral discovery, and the importance of preserving family stories. Working through the Inherited Roots Project, he has participated in anniversary activities that connect the book’s historical significance with contemporary conversations about identity, historical memory, and cultural understanding. In 2026, Haley received a special citation from Maryland Governor Wes Moore recognizing his participation in a Roots 50th-anniversary program. He has also joined his cousin Chris Haley, an archivist and fellow descendant of Alex Haley’s family, in public discussions about the continuing cultural significance of Roots and the importance of protecting access to historical knowledge. These commemorations offer a new generation the opportunity to discover the remarkable story that inspired millions of families to investigate their own ancestry.

The Power of Family History, Storytelling, and Cultural Identity

Throughout his work, Bill Haley, Jr. emphasizes the transformative power of understanding where we come from and how our family histories shape our identities. His grandfather’s research demonstrated that stories passed down through generations can preserve valuable connections to people, places, and historical experiences that might otherwise disappear. For Haley, ancestral discovery is not simply an academic exercise or a matter of documenting names and dates. It is a deeply human process that can strengthen relationships, inspire personal reflection, and encourage appreciation for the experiences of previous generations. His family’s remarkable history illustrates how storytelling can bridge centuries, cross oceans, and connect communities separated by geography and historical circumstances. By encouraging individuals to explore their own heritage, Bill Haley helps audiences recognize that every family has a meaningful story and that understanding those stories can deepen our appreciation of one another.

Diversity, Inclusion, and the Shared Human Experience

The enduring influence of Roots offers a powerful foundation for contemporary conversations about diversity, cultural understanding, and inclusion. Bill Haley, Jr. draws on his family’s history and his continuing relationships with communities in The Gambia to illustrate how learning about different cultural experiences can encourage empathy and strengthen connections across backgrounds. His perspective emphasizes the importance of acknowledging historical injustices while recognizing the resilience, traditions, and shared humanity that connect individuals and communities. Through the Inherited Roots Project, Haley encourages people to explore both the distinctive elements of their cultural identities and the common experiences that unite families around the world. His work provides a meaningful perspective for organizations, educational institutions, cultural associations, and community groups seeking to encourage understanding, strengthen relationships, and celebrate the value of diverse histories.

Continuing a Remarkable Family Legacy for Future Generations

As a grandson of Alex Haley, Bill Haley, Jr. understands that preserving a legacy involves more than celebrating the achievements of previous generations. It requires an ongoing commitment to ensuring that their stories, values, and contributions remain meaningful to those who follow. Through his work with the Inherited Roots Project, his educational support in The Gambia, and his participation in international heritage initiatives, Haley has transformed a remarkable family inheritance into an opportunity for continued cultural engagement. His experiences demonstrate how individuals can honor the past while creating new relationships, educational opportunities, and traditions for the future. Today, Bill Haley lives in California with his wife and two daughters, continuing his efforts to ensure that the lessons of Roots remain relevant for generations to come.

Bill Haley, Jr. brings audiences a deeply personal and inspiring perspective on family history, cultural heritage, diversity, and the enduring power of storytelling, encouraging individuals and organizations to honor the past, embrace their identities, and build meaningful connections across generations and cultures. Bill Haley, Jr. can be booked for keynote presentations, Black History Month celebrations, diversity and inclusion conferences, educational programs, university events, cultural heritage celebrations, genealogy conferences, community gatherings, and Roots anniversary commemorations through Speakers.com. Contact Speakers.com to learn more about Bill Haley, Jr.’s speaking fee, availability, and customized presentation options.