Ashanti

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Birth Name: Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas

Place of Birth: Glen Cove, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: October 13, 1980

Ethnicity: African-American

Ashanti is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actress. Her songs include “Foolish,” “Rock wit U (Awww Baby),” “Rain on Me,” “Only U,” and “Don’t Let Them,” in a featured role, “Always on Time” and “What’s Luv?,” and, as songwriter, “Ain’t It Funny (Murder Remix).” She has also had leading roles in the films Coach Carter, John Tucker Must Die, Resident Evil: Extinction, Mutant World, Mothers and Daughters (2016), and Stuck (2017); and the made-for-tv movie The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz.

She is the daughter of Tina Douglas, a dance teacher, and Ken-Kaide Thomas Douglas, a singer. Her parents are both African-American. In an interview, she stated, “I’m black,” when talking about her ethnicity.

Ashanti is the name of a group in the African nation of Ghana, the Ashanti Empire, where the mother line is of enormous importance. The singer was named after the ethnic group by her mother.

Ashanti’s paternal grandfather was Thomas Gilbert Douglas (the son of Jack Douglas and Alma Campbell). Thomas was born in South Carolina.

Ashanti’s paternal grandmother was named Flora Campbell.

Ashanti’s maternal grandfather was James Davis, a civil rights activist (the son of Issac Davis and Eula Carpenter Jackson). Eula was the daughter of Robert Jackson and Eliza Martin, who were from Greenwood, South Carolina.

Ashanti’s maternal grandmother was named Yvonne Myers.

Sources: Ashanti’s paternal grandfather, Thomas Gilbert Douglas, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Ashanti’s paternal grandfather, Thomas Gilbert Douglas – http://www.hinesfuneralhome.com

Obituary of Ashanti’s maternal grandfather, James Davis – http://www.antonnews.com