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.

We turned the camera on Pierre to get his perspective on the African Ancestry Experience!

We Are Africa 2010 Road Tour – Pierre Bennu from ralston smith.

Barbara Harrison found her maternal ancestry in Guinea-Bissau! There were plenty of “cousins” in the audience to welcome her into the family.

Egypt? Ethiopia? … Nope, Nigeria! Carla Hall found her maternal ancestry right at home in the Embassy of Nigeria. Amazing.

Ralston had been sitting on his MatriClan Test Kit for two years. I guess it’s because he knew where he was from. Ralston guessed correctly…Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone…”Give Us Free!”

Home is a special place. Our DC-based African Ancestry team got a chance to be involved in the Road Tour and I got to see my best friend, Gina and her mom!

We are fortunate to have tremendous partnerships with different kinds of African-focused organizations. Thank you to Step Afrika! and ARKJammers for helping us to celebrate our cultural connections to Africa.

Eric Chinje of ARK Jammers

C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika!

This little guest danced the night away! She Is Africa! Do You Know?

A great crowd turned out for our Richmond event. Drumming, dancing, and knowledge all made for a good time for everyone. Dr. Maureen Elgersman-Lee looked to Delegate Delores McQuinn for emotional support as we revealed her Mandinka roots.

Waiting for the Reveal

Delegate McQuinn’s family was excited to learn of their Nigerian roots.

Nigeria!

Speaking of family, Kea’s family came out to support the Tour and I Still Do. She was really glad to see them.

Prathers and Taylors from Luisa County

I must admit that the highlight of the day was little Nana Sekou. He stole the show from beginning to end. I need to bottle his energy for the rest of the Tour! Click here to see more images from Richmond.

Still not Tired!

Energy for Days!

Nana Draws a Winner

We Are Africa 2010 road tour – Dr. Menzies – Fisk University & ancestors

Kea is a proud graduate of University of North Carolina. So as soon as we crossed the state lines she began reminiscing about her college experience in Chapel Hill. We even found her favorite spot, Pantana Bob’s, and had wings for old times sake.

Our event at the African American Cultural Complex was a good time. We learned more than we taught once we got a tour from Dr. and Mrs. Palmer who have dedicated their lives to the documentation of our history.

And we have to shout out our first African Ancestry groupies! They missed us in Charlotte and high-tailed it to Raleigh to join the Road Tour. Now that’s love

Click here for a scrapbook of our Raleigh experience!

We Are Africa 2010 Road Tour – moments from the road – dancing from ralston smith on Vimeo.

Rev. Martha Orthey
New Orleans, LA

Click photo for more images from New Orleans