(BPRW) AFRICANANCESTRY.COM LEADERSHIP HONORED FOR GROUNDBREAKING WORK IN GENETIC ANCESTRY TRACING AND AS STEWARDS OF CULTURAL WELL-BEING

— Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award, USBC 2026 Power 50 Women of Influence, and Forbes 250 Innovators Among Recent Recognitions for Co-founders Dr. Gina Paige and Dr. Rick Kittles–

(Black PR Wire) Washington, DC – Once approached with hesitation in the African American community, DNA has become increasingly accessible and valuable for Black people. AfricanAncestry.com, a pioneer in genetic ancestry tracing, has helped more than 1 million people reconnect with their African roots while advancing DNA literacy and reshaping the narratives about Africa and Black identity. These efforts have earned recognition from respected organizations across the country.

At a recent VIP ceremony, Dr. Paige received the esteemed Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award, presented by the Shabazz Center in New York. The award honors individuals committed to social justice, human rights, truth, equity, and youth mentoring. Guided by her deep passion for Black people and culture, Dr. Paige travels the world speaking about the vital role identity plays in the wellness and healing of people of color, and how genetics, history and culture can provoke new thought on who we are in America and across the globe.

“I am so thankful to do this work. Every day, I am surrounded by the wonders of Africa and get to create pathways for our people to reconnect essential parts of their identities,” said Dr. Gina Paige, co-founder and CEO of African Ancestry, Inc. “I share these honors with my family, my team, and especially our ancestors, who did the real work and were never recognized.”

Dr. Paige was also named to the U.S. Black Chambers 2026 Power 50 Women of Influence class in recognition of her leadership, innovation, and global impact. She and 49 fellow honorees including Lena Waithe, Shonda Rhimes and Serena Williams were celebrated on July 13 at the new USBC Innovation Campus in Washington, DC. This year’s theme, “Women Who Lead the Movement,” honored women who are not only excelling in their fields, but also creating pathways, shifting narratives, and building lasting legacies.

“The Power 50 Women of Influence represent excellence in every sense of the word,” said Ron Busby Sr., President and CEO of U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. “These women are visionary leaders, barrier breakers, and change agents who continue to redefine what is possible. We are honored to celebrate their extraordinary contributions and the lasting impact they are making across industries and communities.”

African Ancestry co-founder and Scientific Director Dr. Rick Kittles was also recognized as one of the Forbes 250 Innovators of 2026. The honor celebrates leaders who bring breakthroughs to market, transform industries, and create new ones. Dr. Kittles built African Ancestry’s database of African lineages—one of the largest in the world. A leading geneticist, Dr. Kittles has been recognized for his research, which focuses on understanding the complex issues surrounding race, genetic ancestry, and health disparities. His team’s expertise serves as the innovation engine of African Ancestry.

To learn more, visit www.AfricanAncestry.com or sign up for Dr. Paige’s free upcoming webinar — Black Identity Under Siege — at https://webinar.africanancestry.com/webinar-optin–bda68.

ABOUT AFRICANANCESTRY.COM

Founded in 2003 by Dr. Rick Kittles and Dr. Gina Paige, African Ancestry is the world leader in tracing maternal and paternal lineages of African descent having helped thousands of Black families re-connect with their African roots. With the industry’s largest and most comprehensive database of indigenous African DNA samples, African Ancestry determines specific countries and ethnic groups of origin with an unrivaled level of specificity. Headquartered in Washington, DC and Black-owned and operated, African Ancestry is committed to providing a unique service to the Black community by working daily to improve the cultural, emotional, physical, spiritual and economic wellbeing of people across the African Diaspora.