For our 10^th anniversary, African Ancestry is exploring the African influence on various areas of African American life today. This month our focus is art.

Our most personal and innate connections to Africa often happen in artistic ways that are subtle and unrecognized. We don’t even realize that there are spiritual beliefs and social purposes that have historically and ancestrally belied the art in our world. From the brightly colored, highly patterned fashions we wear to the “bling” we sport to the tattoos that adorn our bodies, we are Africa.

What do you think of when you think of African art? Do you think conceptually in terms of color, pattern and symbolism? Or do you imagine objects such as jewelry, sculpture and fabric? One of the first things that comes to mind for me is African masks.

Do you know that masks are an African tradition-based art that were actually functional items? They weren’t created to hang on walls, which is how we experience them today. They held unique significance, were worn on various parts of the body and were “danced” during every day rituals and special ceremonies to represent the spirits of ancestors.

Ask any Black man which African tribe he thinks he is from   and there’s a good chance that he will say “Mandingo”! The 1976 film is often the impetus for this response.

Do you know that the true Mandinka reputation is one of being fierce, highly skilled warriors? They founded the Mali Empire in the 13^th century. Traditionally, the Mandinka face mask is worn by men in Senegal, Gambia and Mali and represents strength, courage, virility and male tribal roles. It is made out of materials such as animal skin, tree bark and calabash and frequently adorned with cowrie shells. Pierced ears are another common feature of the Mandinka mask.

(Mandinka mask courtesy of gallerie Sowei)

Mothers play a special role in African and African American families. Big Mama, Ma’dear and Nana are revered for their female power and wisdom.

Do you know that Yoruba men of Nigeria wear Gelede masks during a special celebration that honors women? The celebration recognizes the power of women as elders in the society. The Gelede mask is worn on the head while the male dancer calls on divine spirits for protection and blessing. Facial adornments are a consistent feature in this mask.

(Gelede mask courtesy of gallerie Sowei)

One of the ancestries that we find most often for African Americans is Mende from Sierra Leone. A large number of enslaved Mende were taken from Africa to farm rice plantations in South Carolina and Georgia.

Do you know that Mende women have a secret society, Sande, which initiates girls into womanhood? The Sande society is lead by an elder who is the “Sowei”. She wears the Sowei helmet mask, the only mask worn by women. It embodies the ideals of Mende culture including wisdom, health, elegance and serenity. Rites of passage programs in our communities are often modeled after the Sande and Poro (male) societies.

(Sowei sculpture courtesy of gallerie Sowei)

Africa is in you! I encourage you to celebrate the art of your ancestry and explore the places that it lives and can live in your life. Share your favorite African and African American art with us at doyouknow@africanancestry.com or facebook.com/africanancestry.

I was once interviewed by a mainstream women’s publication about my role as the President and Co-founder of AfricanAncestry.com. As I shared my experience through a Black lens, the frustrated interviewer – a White woman – finally asked, “But what about the fact that you’re a woman?” It had never occurred to me that the challenges I faced resulted from my being a WOMAN any more than my being Black. For African-American women, race and gender are beautifully intertwined. With that, I think this Women’s History Month is the perfect time to explore the distinct qualities of our ancestral mothers who have influenced today’s Black businesswomen like myself.

Did you know that in our history, most West African societies were matrilineal, meaning that they were led by women? African women were queens, chiefs, warriors, political leaders and business leaders. These were not just titles, but active roles in which women owned land that generated tax revenue, set the laws of the nation, led armies, and set the education system. These roles required innovation, tenacity, networking, coalition-building, and hard work. All of these skills come naturally to Black women.

Did you know that while women are underrepresented among business owners, women-owned businesses contribute significantly to our economy?

When Maggie Lena Walker became the first woman to charter a bank in the U.S in 1902, St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, in Richmond, Virginia, she may have been influenced by the DNA and social mores of the Egbe women in Nigeria. These women developed the nation’s trade and market system, setting taxes and the terms of trade.

Did you know that fewer than 2 percent of American venture capitalists are African American? As the co-founder of Fairview Capital, a private equity “fund of funds,” in Hartford, Connecticut. JoAnn H. Price has invested in the success of entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. since 1994. Her professional endeavors are firmly rooted in her genetics. As a matrilineal descendant of the Bamileke people, she hails from women who are the leaders of women’s entrepreneurship in Cameroon both formally and informally.

Did you know that Black women comprise about 14 percent of all Black farmers in the U.S.? Historically, Kikuyu women in Kenya were the major food producers of that country. They had authority over how land was to be used and cultivated. Alabama organic farmer Rose Hill develops and empowers women farmer/entrepreneurs through her organization, Women and Youth in Agriculture, and sets an example by supplying produce to Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Did you know that fewer than 1 percent of all small businesses are Black woman-owned? Bridewealth often provided African women with a source of income that they controlled, thus serving as an investment in their economic futures. The business model created by Nadine Thompson, founder of Soul Purpose in Exeter, NH empowers women to pursue financial success through beauty. Perhaps Nadine’s warm spirit reflects the Sande Society in Sierra Leone, which protects the ideals of the beauty of Mende women.

Did you know fewer than 1 percent of Internet startups are founded by African Americans? Queen Nzinga was a brilliant military strategist who successfully fought the expansion of Portuguese colonialism in Angola. Angela Benton in Silicon Valley is a present-day warrior queen for Blacks and women in technology through her NewME accelerator, preparing those groups for entrepreneurial success in today’s new economy.

A Black woman in America is often expected to be a woman first and Black second, as if she has a choice between the two. As demonstrated by the women I’ve written about here and the many women who you know, we are at our best when we are both. An entrepreneurial spirit has been inherent within us for centuries, whether we realize it or not. So if you’ve ever thought about starting a business, recommending a process improvement at work, or pursuing a leadership role in your community … Do it. It’s in your DNA!

In 2003, Gina Paige co-founded African Ancestry, Inc., and in doing so, pioneered a new way of tracing African lineages using genetics. As the leading Black female authority on DNA-based African ancestry tracing, Paige travels the globe collecting experiences and sharing insights that help people better understand who they are in today’s world. As African Ancestry celebrates its 10^th anniversary, Paige shares her collected wisdoms that remind us of the rich influences Africa has in our lives today. 

Black History Month is coming! We are excited to partner with The Africa Channel for a unique promotion this February. Stay tuned!

Click inside frame to view trailer.

On December 26, 2010, over 50 African Ancestry family members traveled to Cameroon as part of the first ever, Ancestry Reconnection Program. The ARK Jammers Connection, an international group of musicians and music lovers who perform Acts of Random Kindness, sponsored this journey for DNA descendants of Cameroon to return to their country of origin.

There is no way to describe the impact of the 10-day experience in a single blog post. So, throughout the month, we will be sharing reflections of the trip here and on facebook.

One of the highlights for me was our visit to the primary school, Cite des Enfance in the city of Kribi. We were greeted by the 2-year old students who sang the national anthem with everything that they had.

The program that followed was a combination of poems, recitations, singing, and dancing. These primary school students are amazing. Their program was in English and French.

One of the members of our delegation, Sharon Dennis Wyeth, is a highly acclaimed children’s book author. She read her book, “Something Beautiful”, to the students and later donated 100 copies to the school.

But let me tell you….the dancing stole the show! As one member of our group put it, we are born with rhythm. It is in our DNA. Check out this showstopper.

dancing boy at school – kribi, cameroon from ralston smith on Vimeo.

Each of us was invited to leave an inspirational message for the students and plant a tree with two students to leave a legacy of something beautiful from their Cameroonian American brothers and sisters.

The entire ceremony was humbling and deeply moving.

View more photos of our experience at Cite des Enfance on our Flickr page!

AFRICANANCESTRY.COM UNLOCKS ANCESTRAL ROOTS OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND MARCUS GARVEY USING DNA AND THEIR LIVING DESCENDENTS

Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau identified as present-day countries of origin for Descendents of Renown Leaders

WASHINGTON, DC (September 2010) – For the children of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and social justice icon Marcus Garvey, DNA roots tracing has confirmed they have something genetically in common:  Both their paternal ancestries trace to Europe; and both their maternal ancestries connect them directly to Africa. AfricanAncestry.com, the pioneers of DNA-based ancestry tracing for African Americans, recently revealed the paternal roots of King and Garvey through their sons — Martin Luther King III and Dr. Julius Garvey respectively – during a special DNA Reveal Dinner hosted by the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation’s African Policy Summit in Atlanta on Sept. 26.

For the King Family, AfricanAncestry.com’s results complement the paper-trail research they’ve done on Dr. King’s paternal side, which traces to Ireland.  Martin Luther King III’s test also revealed his mother’s line, the late Coretta Scott King, who it was determined shares ancestry with the Mende people of Sierra Leone.

“One test can reveal the lineage of an entire family,” said Gina Paige, co-founder and president of African Ancestry. “As an African American, I’m personally proud and passionate about all the families we’ve been able to help since our inception several years ago.  It is of the highest professional honor that we’ve contributed to history by tracing the ancestries of these iconic families. This is truly a milestone for us.”

While Dr. Garvey’s paternal lineage traced to Portugal and Spain in Europe, his maternal line traced to present-day Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone and Senegal.  “It is actually not uncommon for paternal lineages of African Americans to trace to Europe due to the number of white male slave owners fathering children with enslaved African women,” said Dr. Rick Kittles, co-founder and Scientific Director for African Ancestry.

In addition to the Kings and Garveys, African Ancestry.com revealed the roots of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who shares ancestry with the Igbo people of Nigeria, and Dr. Carlton Brown, president of Clark Atlanta University, who shares ancestry with the Yoruba and Fulani people of Nigeria.

Contacts:

Nichole D. Taylor

ntaylor@africanancestry.com

We made it! We started in New Orleans and ended up in Boston. Woo hoo!

Road Scholar has partnered with us on several events and so we were glad to be on their turf this time and to get to associate faces with emails. Kathy Taylor, Associate Vice President of Road Scholar, is a driving force behind engaging programming that reflects the African American experience.

Kathy introduces the Road Tour

The Boston group was unique in comparison to the rest of the Tour. We had a roomful of Lifelong Learners who were able to engage in a discussion from a more experienced point of view

My last presentation of the Tour!

DNA - for the 15th and final time

We Are Africa - for the 15th and final time

The second to the last stop on the Road Tour was amazing! We were hosted by Joann Price and the Seniors Ministry of Union Baptist Church in Hartford, CT. The church was such a beautiful backdrop for sharing and learning about history from the seniors of the community.

Union Baptist Church

We revealed the ancestries of 10 members of the group and their results were met with much enthusiasm and excitement!

Excited Reveal!

Very Happy!

Now I have to tell you, I absolutely love JoAnn. She is a longtime supporter of African Ancestry. So I could not figure out WHY it was taking her so long to do her own test…until I got to the church. She has such a generous spirit that she kept giving hers away to one of the seniors! So, with their help, we got her to FINALLY do her test. I hope that she is my Fulani cousin!

JoAnn Takes the Test!

It wouldn’t be a church Seniors event without lunch. Woo-hoo!

Not everyone was a Senior…

Not Just for Seniors

We enjoyed meeting all of the families that joined us too. Ramona and John O’Neal have been following us online and we finally got to meet them in person!

The O'Neal Family

One more stop to go. Boston, we are on our way!

Victoria Reflects

Click here for more photos or video from Hartford.

I hate to play favorites, but…I can honestly say that Ardenia Brown was by far our most enthusiastic host! Ardenia came to us through a mutual friend and was immediately like family. She has an extensive promotions background and so she was like a one woman African Ancestry PR machine!

Gina and Ardenia

As a proprietor of Butternut Market, Ardenia is part of a group of local entrepreneurs who are changing the way that Bedford-Stuyvesant views itself as a neighborhood. She organized her colleagues at Therapy Wine Bar and House of Art Gallery Brooklyn to bring the We Are Africa Road Tour to Brooklyn.

House of Art Gallery

Butternut Market Tasting

Butternut Market’s tasting also attracted a number of people from the neighborhood to the presentation, which was standing room only. The reveals were quite moving and the good times continued in the gallery and at Therapy Wine Bar. Bed-Stuy has roots from all over!

Angela Terry - Native American Roots!

Richard Beavers - Angolan Roots!

Alexia Billiart - Ghanaian Roots!

Ardenia Brown - Guinea Bissau Roots!

We had a great time in Brooklyn meeting the neighborhood’s architects, artists, young people, genealogists, and entrepreneurs. We were encouraged by the engagement of the youth and the number of families that came out to learn about finding their roots. Thank you Brooklyn!

A Family Affair

Click here for more photos and video from Brooklyn!

Imagine an African-centered high school with a 100% graduation rate, a 100% college acceptance rate, and a 100% scholarship receipt rate. It exists. In Philadelphia. Imhotep Institute Charter High School is led by Mama Christine Wiggins and was the location for the Philadelphia stop on the We Are Africa Road Tour.

Philadelphia was a special stop for many reasons. First, my family is from there. So we had four generations of the Paige family celebrating our Nigerian roots.

Second, we revealed the ancestries of Former Mayor Wilson Goode, the first African American mayor of Philadelphia and Stanley Straughter, Chairman of the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs. Mr. Straughter is a devout Pan-Africanist and so it took some arm-twisting to get him to find his maternal roots. I promised to let what is revealed at Imhotep, stay at Imhotep! Mayor Goode was kind enough to join us during his 50th wedding anniversary weeklong celebration. And, for good reason. We revealed that his maternal roots are in Guinea-Bissau and his paternal roots are Yoruba, from Nigeria!

Gina and Stan Straughter

Mayor Goode

Plus, we had some serious African Ancestry family members in the house! One of our elders walked through the door ready to share her story. As she tells it, when she opened her results envelope, she was so happy that she “went beserk”.

Telling Her Story

Muhammad Aliyu doesn’t leave home without his African Ancestry Certificate of Ancestry! How’s that for showing your pride?

Wallet Size!

Click here for more photos from the Philadelphia scrapbook! Do You Know?

We Are Africa 2010 Road Tour – Carla Hall-African Cuisine from ralston smith.