Alicia Keys
Keys in 2007, stocklight / Shutterstock.com
Birth Name: Alicia J. Augello-Cook
Place of Birth: Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: January 25, 1980
Ethnicity:
*father – African-American
*maternal grandfather – Italian/Sicilian
*maternal grandmother – English, Irish, Scottish
Alicia Keys is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She is also known as Lellow.
Alicia’s father, Craig Cook, is African-American, and Alicia’s mother, Terri (Augello), is white. Alicia’s maternal grandfather was of Italian/Sicilian descent, while Alicia’s maternal grandmother was of English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry, with several of her family lines leading back to Connecticut of the 1600s. Alicia is married to hip hop recording artist and record producer Swizz Beatz, with whom she has two children.
Alicia has stated that as she grew up in New York she never had to experience feeling “not Black enough” or “not White enough.” However, she became comfortable with her biracial heritage as it allows her to relate to different cultures. She has said, “A lot of people believe I’m part Jamaican, though I’m not. I’m definitely black and Italian and a little Irish or Scottish.”
Alicia’s paternal grandfather is named Michael Cook.
Alicia’s maternal grandfather was Joseph Lawrence Augello (the son of Michelangelo/Michael Angelo Augello and Mary Carmen Zaffina). Joseph was born in Pennsylvania, to Italian parents. Alicia’s great-grandfather Michael was from Sciacca, Province of Agrigento, Sicily. Alicia’s great-grandmother Mary was the daughter of Giuseppe Zaffina and Rosa Scardamaglia, from Nicastro and Sambiase, now Lamezia Terme, Province of Catanzaro, Calabria.
Alicia’s maternal grandmother was Donna Jean Smith (the daughter of Thad T. Smith and Irma Margaret Heald). Donna was born in Michigan. Thad was the son of Henry Harrison Smith and Mary S. Jordan. Irma was the daughter of George Webster Heald and Margaret Ruxton. Alicia’s grandmother Donna’s ancestry was largely English, with many roots in New England, going back to the 1600s, and some ancestors who lived in Canada. She also had Irish and Scottish ancestry.
Keys with husband Swizz Beatz in 2010, Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
Sources: Genealogy of Alicia Keys – https://www.geni.com
Genealogies of Alicia Keys (focusing on her mother’s side) – http://humphrysfamilytree.com
http://www.wikitree.com
Notations about Alicia’s Italian background – http://www.tempieterre.it
http://www.calabriansmostfamous.com
Alicia’s maternal grandfather, Joseph Lawrence Augello, on 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Passenger record of Alicia’s maternal great-great-grandfather, Giuseppe Zaffina – https://familysearch.org
Passenger record of Alicia’s maternal great-great-grandmother, Rosa Scardamaglia – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Alicia’s maternal grandmother, Donna Jean (Smith) Augello – http://www.legacy.com
Looks like Fuzzybear is the new nice guy of Ethnicelebs.com ;)
To Fuzzybear.
Aaawww you’re so nice! And no I am parttt italian mostly dutch portuguese and spaniard. Btw I’m Coffee Break. And no I didn’t take any of what you said in a wrong way just I didn’t entirely understand what you meant. I thought you meant the whole they are italian but never went there etc, I thought you meant they didn’t have a right to claim that they are italian, because they don’t speak the language etc. That’s what I understood. But I understand now, and as usual I agree again with you.
I think a lot of people have a problem with ‘African American’ also because they think that it means they’re only black, as in they can be mixed a little but it doesn’t get recognized. They’re not called mix, but they call them African American to seperate them from society. As if enforcing the one drop rule. Because you’re part african you can only be african american. Thus seperating blacks from the “just americans”. You don’t have italian american do you know where I am getting? So some people can see ‘african american’ as racist. And to be honest I thought of it that way for a while as well.
But you are right if they want to claim to be african/irish or anything else they should. because it is their heritage and what they might relate to more, or know, and that is good for them.
And don’t worry about the reply it’s okay. Thank you for your insight!
To Adriana
Sorry it took me so long to response,didn’t she the post.I think what I was trying to say was,people seem to be all upset because Halle, and Alicia etc. call themselves African American.They say no their part white,but so is the majority of the black population.Now even though their part white,their still of African descent.No one is telling them to deny their white half,or telling them anything period.Now I said that all these other people never have even seen the home lands or speak the languages,but still proudly say I’m a Spaniard or whatever;and they have every right to.So why is it a problem when a black person even one who’s only half black says their African American?Their just proudly saying I’m part black,even though they don’t know where they came from.Plus the way I see it,their showing respect for all the things black people went through ,so they can be where they are now.Now I see your Italian,and I want you to know I meant no offense to you,so please don’t take it that way;it was just the first country I thought of.I hope I clear it up
America-nized***
To Fuzzybear
I don’t understand entirely what you are trying to say. Though I usually agree with you, but if you are of italian heritage you are. Just the people as we say here “America-nied” Lol. They integrated and the italian part fell out, at least the culture or language. Doubt the good recipes did, but they are italian. That they don’t speak the language doesn’t make them any less italian by “blood” if I can put it that way. It happens it’s what happens sometimes when people integrate.
Though I am not entirely sure what your point was? Do you mind further explaining?