“We are at the cusp of a new normal for racial equity. We could not be more proud to support an organisation that is changing the narrative on how young people from marginalised backgrounds perceive their own histories. Ancestors unKnown is changing the way young people learn about history, themselves, and the world around them by creating opportunities for students to learn about their family histories and other marginalised stories. They provide primary and secondary schools with curriculum, workshops, and community-focused programming that introduces students to family history research and other untold histories. ”
GINA CICERONE AND SAM BUTTERS, CO-CEO’S FAIR EDUCATION ALLIANCE
About Ancestors unKnown and Dana Saxon:
As a passionate educator and family historian, Dana Saxon launched Ancestors unKnown as a form of activism. Since schools weren’t including enough marginalised voices in the mainstream curriculum, she decided to use the students’ own ancestors to do the teaching.
Through using these personal stories, primary and secondary school students are introduced to a much broader range of perspectives on historical events. Ancestors unKnown combines curriculum, workshops, and community-focused programming to introduce students to family history research and other untold histories.
The initiative combines identity development, genealogy research, and community engagement to introduce students to the power of their personal histories and how they are all connected to the past. Through this knowledge of family history, Dana seeks to develop positive identity in Black and other marginalised populations.