Division of Diversity and Inclusion to host “Genetic Consequences of the Transatlantic Slave Trade” lecture series

The Division of Diversity and Inclusion invites the campus community – students, faculty, and staff – to attend a two-part expert lecture series on Oct. 15 and 22, presented by 23andMe scientists Dr. Steven Micheletti and Dr. Joanna Mountain and moderated by Dr. Robin Muhammad, associate professor of African American Studies. The two interactive sessions will explore the genetic legacies of the transatlantic slave trade, followed by a researcher’s roundtable.

Based on historical data and the DNA of more than 50,000 people, the groundbreaking 23andMe study reveals how the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade shaped the genetic landscape of African ancestry in the contemporary Americas. This layered method provides evidence of the sexual violence that permeated every aspect of the slave trade and contextualizes the forced cross-continental displacement of African peoples.

Part 1 | Oct. 15 | 5 P.M. Interactive Lecture: Combining consumer genetic data with historical records elucidates details of the transatlantic slave trade.

Part 2 | Oct. 22 | 5 P.M. Researcher’s Roundtable with 23andMe Geneticists.

Check out the study that informs the content presented during this event here.

This event will be hosted via Zoom and pre-registration is required at https://bit.ly/33L18zu.