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Washington, Dc--African Ancestry, Inc. www.africanancestry.com, is a leading, DNA-based ancestry testing firm. Its pioneering tests use DNA to trace WHERE people with whom an individual shares genetic "roots" are found in Africa today.
"African Americans are the only group in the United States that cannot point to a country of origin. While there is a growing national interest in genealogy, the real question that we have is, 'Where in Africa am I from?' African Ancestry is the first company to answer that question using the world's largest collection of African lineages to deliver scientifically and analytically sound results," says African Ancestry co-founder and President Gina Paige. "We have transformed the lives of tens of thousands of African Americans in meaningful and empowering ways."
Co.'s DNA Test Links Blacks, Others to African Ancestors
Because of miraculous advances in DNA science, the bridge to an African past that collapsed for millions due to slavery is being rebuilt. Over 50,000 people--including several celebrities and leaders such as OPRAH WINFREY, WHOOPI GOLDBERG, Oscar® Winner FORREST WHITAKER, SPIKE LEE, QUINCY JONES, ROBERTA FLACK, INDIA.ARIE, U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE (D-Oakland), ISAIAH WASHINGTON and FORMER U.S. UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR ANDREW YOUNG--now know WHERE in Africa people with whom they share genetic ancestry are found today, thanks to African Ancestry. The firm's tests are the leading ones of their kind. The results have inspired people to travel, invest, build schools, learn languages, and even adopt or name children. African Ancestry tests have also been mentioned in USA TODAY, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, TIME, CNN, Forbes.com, British Broadcasting Corporation, BLACK ENTERPRISE, FORTUNE and National Public Radio stories.
How It Works
As part of the company's confidential testing process, its scientists compare cells swabbed from the inside of your cheek with over 25,000 units of African Lineage Database™ genetic information (both maternal and paternal lineages, representing over 30 countries and over 200 ethnic groups). African Ancestry's exclusive African Lineage Database™ is the largest of its kind in the world. The repository of molecular blueprints of African peoples was created out of extensive research by company cofounder and scientific director, Rick Kittles, PhD.
African Ancestry's African Lineage Database™ has a particularly strong focus on West and Central Africa. These were the primary regions from which individuals were procured for the Trans-Atlantic slave trade that occurred from about 1600 to 1850. The database also includes lineages collected by other sources.
African Ancestry offers two DNA-based ancestry tests--its MatriClan™ test of maternal DNA inherited from your mother; and its PatriClan™ test of paternal DNA, inherited from your father if you are male. Currently, each test costs $349US. Prices are subject to change without notice.
The technology African Ancestry uses is being embraced by family reunions and gatherings to add new information to their celebrations. Some relatives have traced the African ancestry of as many as eight of their family's lineages. This means that they've located approximately where people with whom each of their eight great-grandparents shares genetic ancestry are found today in Africa!
About African Ancestry
Headquartered in Washington, DC, and wholly owned by African Americans, African Ancestry, Inc. (www.africanancestry.com), is a cutting-edge genetic genealogy company. The firm was cofounded in 2003 by Gina Paige, president and Rick Kittles, PhD, an expert at the forefront of efforts to use DNA to trace ancestry.
For more information about African Ancestry and its products, see: www.africanancestry.com
About African Ancestry’s Cofounders
Dr. Rick Kittles, Scientific Director
Kittles received his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from George Washington University. Dr. Kittles went to Howard University in 1998 and helped to establish a national cooperative network to study the genetics of hereditary prostate cancer in the African American community. As co-director of Molecular Genetics at the National Human Genome Center at Howard University he established large-scale, high throughput genotyping and DNA sequencing. Dr. Kittles’ research exploits gene genealogy in studies of population history and disease associations. He has had a strong research focus on using DNA to trace ancestry of African Americans and has published on prostate cancer genetics of African Americans. Currently, Dr. Kittles is Associate Professor, The University of Chicago Department of Medicine.
Gina Paige, President
Ms. Paige brings a wealth of diverse management and entrepreneurial experience to her role as president of African Ancestry. Ms. Paige was the founder and president of GPG Strategic Resources, a boutique New York consulting firm specializing in strategy development, new product development and project management. Prior to that, she helped manage and improve the profitability of some of America’s most well-known consumer brands. The list of firms to which she has contributed her considerable talents includes Fortune 200 companies such as Sara Lee (from which she received two corporate distinctions) and Colgate-Palmolive. Ms. Paige holds a degree in Economics from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Michigan Graduate School of Business.
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