Food For the Soul with Dr. LaKisha T David

Food For the Soul with Dr. LaKisha T David
Join the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC) for Food for the Soul, a noontime discussion series dedicated to exploring topics relevant to the African Diaspora and its global impact. This event features Dr. LaKisha David, who will share an engaging overview of her research on genetic genealogy and the courses she teaches at UIUC. Discover how her work bridges science, history, and cultural identity to illuminate ancestral connections and advance community understanding. Attendees will also learn about opportunities to engage with these transformative topics in her classroom and beyond. Lunch will be provided.
Dr. LaKisha David, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, leads the Beloved African Genetic Genealogy Lab. Her groundbreaking research focuses on reconstructing extended genetic genealogies to uncover the demographic histories of African-descended individuals. By integrating computational genetic analyses with historical and cultural narratives, Dr. David’s work empowers individuals to reconnect with their African heritage, fostering identity and healing from the historical trauma of mass human trafficking from Africa. Her teaching emphasizes equipping students with computational and genealogical tools to analyze familial lineages, offering a unique lens into human migration patterns, cultural evolution, and family structures.

Host or Publisher The African Kinship Reunion