Over the weekend, Ciara made historical past, changing into one of many first celebrities to obtain twin citizenship within the West African nation of Benin. Throughout a go to to the nation, the “Goodies” singer was formally introduced with a certificates of citizenship by Beninese officers.
“This initiative interprets the willingness of Benin to imagine its historic accountability, to reconnect with its youngsters scattered world wide,” Discover Benin wrote in an Instagram put up commemorating the second, “and to make its territory a land of welcome, reminiscence and future.”
Ciara could also be among the many first in Benin, however she’s removed from alone in embracing her ancestral roots by way of citizenship. Over the previous few years, a rising variety of Black celebrities have reclaimed ties to the continent with passports and citizenship certificates to match.
Ludacris
In 2020, the rapper and his youngsters obtained Gabonese citizenship, affirming their lineage by way of his spouse Eudoxie’s heritage.
Idris Elba
In December 2019, Elba, whose father hails from Sierra Leone and mom from Ghana, was awarded honorary citizenship in Sierra Leone.
Dr Umar Johnson
As a part of Ghana’s “Yr of The Return” program, Dr. Umar Johnson was granted Ghanian citizenship in December 2024.
Yandy & Mendeecees Harris
Equally, “Love & Hip Hop” stars Yandy and Mendecees Harris obtained their Ghanaian citizenship in the course of the nation’s “Yr of The Return” initiative in December 2024.
Tiffany Hadidsh
In Might 2019, Tiffany Haddish turned a naturalized citizen of her late father’s dwelling nation, Eritrea. Her twin citizenship got here a yr after she her first go to the nation for her father’s burial.
Stevie Surprise
For his 74th birthday, on Might 14, 2024 Stevie Surprise was granted Ghanaian citizenship. A present the singer described as an “wonderful factor,” per BBC.
Samuel L. Jackson
After discovering his ancestral ties to Gabon’s Benga tribe by way of PBS’s “Discovering Your Roots,” Jackson was granted Gabonese citizenship in August 2019.
