“I was excited to learn that I had such deep African roots but it brought up questions about my moms family who are American & have very light skin. It kind of broke down some assumptions Black Americans have about skin color for me. I also want to say that although I’m mostly Nigerian, I grew up with Ghanaian jollof rice and that’s where my allegiance will always be.”
Africa
Nigeria 35%
Mali 21%
Cameroon/Congo 19%
Ivory Coast/Ghana 6%
Benin/Togo 3%
African Southeastern Bantu 3%
Africa South-Central Hunter-Gatherers 2%
Senegal 2%
Native American
Native American 1%
Europe
Scandinavia 3%
Ireland 2%
Finland/Northwest Russia 1%
Europe West 1%
Iberian Peninsula 1%
“My mother always believed her non-African roots were Italian and Indigenous, while my father fantasized that he was Kenyan. Turns out, my ancestry aligns with one of the most common narratives of the Transatlantic Slave trade. I immediately felt affirmed in my connections to the West African homies who previously ‘allowed’ me to partake in their culture. I then felt conflicted upon realizing the great-great grandmother believed to be Indigenous was now likely half-White and my British surname, is now likely a birthright as much a mark of ownership. Discomfort aside, I’m looking forward to a new sense of purpose and awareness.”
Africa
Nigeria 20%
Benin/Togo 17%
Mali 13%
Ivory Coast/Ghana 10%
Cameroon/Congo 5%
Europe
Great Britain 20%