In 2019, Ghana initiated a historic event called the “Year of Return,” marking 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were recorded in Virginia, USA. This event wasn’t just a commemoration; it was a powerful invitation for African Americans to reconnect with their heritage, sparking a movement that saw thousands of African Americans traveling to Africa to explore their ancestral roots. Among them were well-known figures like Tina Knowles-Lawson, Steve Harvey, and Jidenna, who embarked on a journey to rediscover their African identities.
This journey didn’t just stop with a visit. For many, it became a life-changing experience, leading them to embrace their African heritage in profound ways, including becoming citizens of African nations. Let’s explore the stories of 11 prominent African Americans who have traced their roots back to Africa and, in some cases, even claimed citizenship in the lands of their ancestors.
1. Stevie Wonder
The legendary musician Stevie Wonder, known for his timeless hits and 25 Grammy Awards, took a significant step towards reconnecting with his African roots when he was granted citizenship by Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo. Originally from Michigan, Stevie Wonder expressed his desire to make West Africa his permanent home, driven by the growing racial tensions in the United States. His visit to Ghana was not just a return to his roots but a statement about finding a place where he truly belongs.
2. Ludacris
Rapper and actor Ludacris, who rose to fame in Atlanta, made headlines when he announced his Gabonese citizenship on Instagram. His wife, Eudoxie Mbouguiengue, is from Gabon, and during a family trip, she surprised Ludacris and their daughters by securing dual citizenship for them. The family’s journey didn’t stop in Gabon; they also visited Ghana during the Year of Return, celebrating New Year’s Eve in Accra and deepening their connection to Africa.
3. Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson, one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, discovered his roots in Gabon’s Benga tribe through a DNA test conducted for the documentary series Finding Your Roots. In August 2019, he made the emotional journey to Gabon, where he was warmly received by President Ali Bongo Ondimba and granted Gabonese citizenship. For Jackson, this wasn’t just a visit but a homecoming that reconnected him with his ancestral lineage.
4. Tiffany Haddish
In 2019, comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish officially became a citizen of Eritrea to honor her father, Tsihaye Reda Haddish, who was born there. Even though she grew up in the United States and always identified as American, her father’s Eritrean heritage was a significant part of her identity. Tiffany’s first visit to Eritrea was in 2018 to bury her father. The next year, she returned to formalize her connection by obtaining Eritrean citizenship.
5. Idris Elba
Actor Idris Elba, celebrated for his roles in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and The Wire, embraced his Sierra Leonean roots by obtaining citizenship from the country of his father’s birth. Raised in East London, Elba’s connection to Africa has always been strong, but gaining Sierra Leonean citizenship was a powerful affirmation of his heritage.
6. Erykah Badu
In 2015, Erykah Badu, the soul singer known for her unique voice and style, discovered her Cameroonian heritage. Her journey to Cameroon, which was documented by OkayAfrica, was more than just a visit—it was a spiritual awakening. Badu, who learned she was part of the Bamileke tribe, engaged deeply with local chiefs and communities, further cementing her connection to her ancestral land.
7. Don Cheadle
Actor Don Cheadle, best known for his role in Hotel Rwanda, traced his paternal ancestry to the Ewondo ethnic group in Cameroon. His maternal ancestry also links him to the Bamileke, Masa, and Tikar people of Central Africa. For Cheadle, this connection to Africa adds a rich layer to his identity, bridging his American upbringing with his African heritage.
8. Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg, a prominent figure in American entertainment, has ancestral roots in Guinea-Bissau. Despite receiving an invitation from the country’s Tourism Ministry, Whoopi declined due to her fear of flying, leaving her ancestral journey incomplete for now. However, her DNA test reveals a deep connection to this West African nation.
9. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey, a prominent media figure, learned about her African ancestry on the show African American Lives. She discovered that her roots can be traced back to the Kpelle people of Liberia, the Bamileke of Cameroon, and Zambia. This discovery served as a powerful reminder of her strong connection to the African continent, a bond that she continues to honor through her work.
10. Chris Tucker
Comedian and actor Chris Tucker, known for his roles in Friday and the Rush Hour movies, found his roots in Angola and Cameroon. This discovery added a new dimension to his identity, linking his American success with his African heritage.
11. Blair Underwood
Blair Underwood, star of Who Do You Think You Are?, traced his paternal roots to Cameroon. He and his father later made an emotional pilgrimage to their ancestral homeland, reconnecting with their family’s African past and embracing their shared heritage.
The stories of African Americans reconnecting with their roots go beyond just heritage; they are about identity, belonging, and the strong influence of history. As more African Americans explore their ties to Africa, they not only pay tribute to their ancestors but also create new paths that connect the past to the future.
Source: Ghana Web
