Meet Gigi Nelson | Genealogist & Historian

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gigi Nelson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gigi, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Many people think of genealogy as just a hobby that isn’t really for Black people. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our history beings with family, not slavery. I think for generations, our elders have missed opportunities to speak to younger generations because the focus was always on slavery and suffering and trauma. And understandably–much of our past is difficult. But by not speaking about it at all meant that our youth never heard stories of resilience, tenacity, perseverance, strength and joy. They don’t realize that they already have everything they need inside them. Because they don’t know their past, many don’t believe they have an identity or a future.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart from others. Well, with a first name like Aungelic, you’re kind of bound to be a little different. I was very blessed growing up. We didn’t have a lot of money, but my father was in the Army so I got to live in a lot of places and experience a lot of different cultures. I also went to very good schools where it was expected that students attend class, get good grades, and go to college. It wasn’t always easy or fun. I was a shy quiet kid, not into sports or any of the clubs, and usually one of the few (if not the only) Black kid in class. In all my years of school (grade through grad), I never had any teacher really try to get to know me or encourage me about anything. So I credit God and my family for getting me through those years. I earned degrees in history and taught for a number of years. Then I became an Air Force historian which was truly an awesome job. Then during the pandemic, I think, like a lot of people, I had the time and space to really think about what I wanted to accomplish in terms of a legacy. I’d always loved genealogy and had dabbled in it for years. Then, in 2020, I got an idea for a nonprofit dedicated to introducing Black youth to genealogy as a way to empower them and strengthen their self-esteem and ground them in a more truthful identity of exactly who they are. So that’s how my 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Majani Project, was born. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that I didn’t grow up around extended family and community that looked like me, so I never had that specific kind of affirmation that you get from that.

2022 was a busy year. I launched the website (www.majani.org). Also, Majani is the Swahili word for leaves. The idea is that our youth are the leaves on their branch of the family tree. Later that year, when I realized there was no introductory genealogy book specifically for Black youth, I wrote and published For The Culture: A Genealogy Handbook For The Cool Kids which is available anywhere that books are sold. If your local bookstore doesn’t have it in stock, they can order it for you. Our history is unique, so it makes our study of genealogy somewhat different than other ethnicities in some ways. So there is a tiny bit of other stuff like history and geography in there. I think its really important for our youth to understand that there are countries in Africa and be able to name at least five and their capitals. The way that we are made to memorize European nations and capitals. So there are maps and tables of the entire African diaspora–from Canada to Latin America and South America. Places most of us never learned that people of African descent live and have lived for centuries.
So there are tons of pictures–its definitely not a history book. There are a bunch of fun activities that anyone can do as well as blank family tree charts in the back. It’s a great gift for anyone of any age.

So for the past few years, I’ve been giving genealogy presentations for adult civic and social organizations, doing school programs, and also library presentations. This year, we developed a genealogy-focused block party that we called FAMILY 365. It was pretty epic with free food, live music, a game truck, a panel of genealogists, and an indoor exhibit. It was our way of celebrating Juneteenth and honoring the ancestors.
We had over a hundred people come out and celebrate culture and heritage with us. We took on something that had never been done before–creating a social event around genealogy! By including different aspects like music, dance, martial arts, and expert genealogists (special shout-out to the Daughters of the American Revolution for pulling up, and especially to our celebrity guest Ms. Kenyatta Berry from the Genealogy Roadshow!), we were able to get people to look at family history in new ways.

Knowing one’s family history increases self-esteem and resilience, and provides a grounded identity. You show up differently in the world when you know not only the challenges, but also the strengths and joys of the ancestors who came before you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well anyone who knows me knows I’m all about vintage anything and everything. So a trip to Junkman’s Daughter is always on the agenda! Then the Madame CJ Walker museum, the carillon players at Stone Mountain ( not Atlanta proper, but worth a visit), and then the Carlos Museum.
Finally, I actually like to cook and with inflation being what it is…even still, we’d go to Tiny Lou’s for the brioche. Bread is the food of the gods.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many people deserve credit for who and where I am today. That list is pretty long. But at the very top is my mom, Kathleen Bono and my family for always supporting me. And of course God, without whom I definitely wouldn’t be here!

Website: https://www.majani.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majaniproject/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MajaniProject

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MajaniProject/