Business
African Ancestry Inc., the pioneers of genetics-based African roots tracing celebrates 10 year anniversary
• Of the Western and Central African countries traceable through AfricanAncestry.com, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Liberia respectively are the Top Five Countries of Origin for testing African Americans.
• Of the traceable countries in its database, surprisingly, NO testers’ ancestries have ever traced to Gambia, Ivory Coast or Republic of the Congo.
• Fifteen percent of Black testers trace to Europe. Only 2 percent are Native American, debunking a widely accepted myth among African Americans. One percent trace to the Middle East and less than one percent trace to Asia.
• Of the more than 125 African-American celebrities and notables to take African Ancestry’s tests, a majority share ancestries with the people of present-day Cameroon with Sierra Leone a close second.
Throughout 2013, AfricanAncestry.com has a variety of engaging, informative and inspiring events scheduled to celebrate its 10 years and lay the groundwork for the next 10. “Amongst the varied activities is a central goal to help African Americans understand the connection between who they are today with the influences of Africa,” said Paige. “When asked where they’re from, I want as many people as possible to proudly say their African homeland alongside Chicago or New York or Memphis or any other American identity,” said Paige.
• 10th Anniversary Partners: Helping to deepen the experience and reach of the 10th Anniversary celebration, African Ancestry has aligned with major African American alliances. AfricanAncestry.com is the official ancestry partner for the Centennial Celebration for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. African Ancestry has also partnered with Kunta Kinteh Island: “Coming Home in Shackles,” a new documentary chronicling the real journey of the most celebrated African captive transported to the Americas as cargo. Visit www.africanancestry.com for partnership details.
• African Ancestry 10th Anniversary Leader Board: African Ancestry’s expert leadership team will kick-off an engaging series of enlightening, motivational discussions designed to inspire continued interest in discovering the true you and the African in Americans. Check out Gina Paige’s new Do You Know? syndicated column in anniversary partner vehicles such as leading Black newspaper Washington Informer, Delta Sigma Theta Centennial newsletter and African Ancestry’s Blog. Dr. Kittles will debut a mix of interactive, online discussions about relevant science topics such as genetics ancestry matching, research and how it all works — hosted throughout the year on African Ancestry’s Facebook and other social media networks.
