From more than 2,000 applications by ordinary Americans, Kathleen Henderson of Ohio has been selected to participate in AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES 2. Henderson, a college administrator, was selected after a thorough evaluation of applicants who were asked to describe the extent of their knowledge of their family's history and why they would be the ideal candidate to participate in AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES 2.

"I remember when Oprah's Roots was on, a couple of older relatives said, 'They keep doing famous people, they ought to do some regular people,'" said Henderson. "This is the greatest gift I can give to my family, and the stories they uncovered about my ancestors absolutely surprised me."

Milestones in Kathleen Henderson's ancestry:

1849 Abraham van Meter of Lexington, Kentucky, owner of Kathleen Henderson's ancestors, chairs an emancipation meeting, but he never frees his slaves.

1864 Kathleen Henderson's great, great grandparents Dennis Jackson and Julia Mason are married by a black minister. Under slavery, their union is not recognized, so in 1874, they are married a second time in Lexington, Kentucky.

Put Kathleen Henderson's life and ancestry in historical context with the Interactive Historical Timeline.

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