CU Reparations Coalition Meeting - A DNA Testing Event!!

Description:

Join the African Kinship Reunion for a free DNA sample collection event as part of the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program, a state-supported initiative helping African American families begin the journey to reconnect with their African roots through genetic testing.

What to Expect (about 30 minutes):

• Brief orientation about the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program
• Information on what to expect as your sample is processed
• Overview of how this program supports long-term reconnection to African heritage
• Free saliva-based DNA test collection

Eligibility:

• Must reside in Illinois
• Must show proof of address at the event

Please Note:

The main event is the CU Reparations Coalition meeting. DNA sample collection will occur at the end of the meeting. Your test results will be analyzed and returned at a later date as part of the broader program services, which include genealogy support and heritage connections. The estimated wait time for results is 6–8 weeks.

How to Prepare:

For the best experience, we encourage participants to create an account in advance at https://www.takir.org/account/signup/ and follow the prompts to officially join the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program. This will help streamline your appointment and ensure your DNA sample is properly linked to your profile.

To ensure a successful DNA collection:

• Do not eat, drink, chew gum, smoke, or place anything in your mouth for at least 30 minutes before your appointment.
• If you forget or haven’t completed the registration beforehand, don’t worry—we will walk you through the full process during your appointment. Our staff will be available to assist with registration, answer questions, and ensure everything is completed correctly.

What Kind of Results Will I Receive?

Participants in the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program can expect to receive results that support personal, genealogical, and cultural discovery. After laboratory analysis is completed (approximately 6–8 weeks after collection), you will be notified when your results are ready through your TAKiR.org account. Results may include:

• Connections to African Individuals by Region: Insights about which groups of Africans your DNA is most closely related to, based on genetic similarity to individuals from reference panels across the African continent.
• Relative Matching: Information about genetic relatives who may also be part of the program, helping you begin the process of building your extended genetic family tree. For a few, this includes African and African diaspora cousin discoveries!
• Family History Tools: Visual representations and documentation tools to help you organize possible family relationships and shared ancestry connections.
• Personalized Guidance (via follow-up): Opportunities to schedule follow-up sessions or join events that help interpret your results and connect with African heritage communities.

These results are designed to provide insight into your African ancestral connections and contribute to a larger effort to reconnect African American families with African relatives, history, and heritage.

Location: New Covenant Fellowship (NCF), 124 West White Street, Champaign, IL 61820

The African Kinship Reunion: https://www.takir.org

The Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program: https://www.takir.org/about/hr0453/

This event is part of the Family Roots Pilot Program (Grant IDCEO 25-206024), sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO).