Bianca Lawson
Lawson in 2013, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Bianca Jasmine Lawson
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: March 20, 1979
Ethnicity: African-American, Creole [French, African], one quarter Italian/Sicilian, smaller amounts of English, Blackfoot Native American, and Portuguese
Bianca Lawson is an American actress.
She is the daughter of actors Richard Lawson (born Rickey Lee Lawson) and Denise Gordy. She is the half-sister of Marvin Gaye III, who is the son of singer Marvin Gaye; and the half-sister of songwriter and A&R Ricky Lawson.
Her parents both have black ancestry. Her maternal grandmother was of Italian origin. Bianca has said that her ancestry is “Black, Italian, Blackfoot, Portuguese, Creole.” A picture of Bianca with her parents can be seen here.
Bianca is a step-sister of singers Beyoncé and Solange Knowles. Her father was married to their mother, Tina Knowles. Her step-niece is singer and dancer Blue Ivy Carter, who is Beyoncé’s daughter.
Bianca is a cousin of musicians Rockwell; Redfoo and Sky Blu, who are the pop duo LMFAO; and Mahogany Lox. She is a first cousin, once removed, of Rockwell and Redfoo, and a second cousin of Sky Blu and Mahogany Lox. Bianca’s great-grandparents Berry Gordy and Bertha Fuller were also Redfoo’s grandparents, and Sky Blu’s and Mahogany’s great-grandparents. Bianca is also a first cousin, once removed, of musician and actress Rhonda Ross Kendrick, through their shared Gordy ancestors.
Bianca’s paternal grandfather was L. B. Lawson (the son of Robert Lawson and Lottie Wheeler). L. B. was born in Louisiana.
Bianca’s paternal grandmother was Gertie Broussard (the daughter of Joseph Broussard and Effie Wilturner). Gertie was born in Lafayette, Louisiana. Effie was the daughter of Alcide Wilturner and Julia Johnson.
Bianca’s maternal grandfather was George Weldon Gordy (the son of Berry Gordy, Jr. and Bertha Fuller). George was born in Michigan. George was a writer and businessperson. Berry was the son of Berry Gordy and Lucy Hellum. Bianca’s great-uncle, the brother of her maternal grandfather, is businessperson Berry Gordy. Berry is African-American, and also has a small amount of English ancestry.
Bianca’s maternal grandmother was named Rosemary Valenti. Rosemary had Italian/Sicilian ancestry.
Bianca is also a half-second cousin, twice removed, of U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Bianca is the great-great-great-granddaughter of President Carter’s (white) great-grandfather, James Thomas Gordy, from his relationship with a black woman, Esther Johnson (President Carter is descended from James’s white wife, Harriet Emily Helms).
Sources: Genealogy of Bianca Lawson (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Bianca’s mother – https://www.genealogy.com
Genealogy of Bianca’s maternal grandfather, George Weldon Gordy (through George’s brother, Berry Gordy) (focusing on his father’s side) – https://famouskin.com
Bianca’s father Richard Lawson in 2010, photo by Prphotos.com
Maternal grandfather was L. B. Lawson, born in Louisiana. His name is always given in initials in the records. His parents were Robert Lawson and Lottie Wheeler, both born in Louisiana.
Maternal grandmother was Gertie Broussard, also born in Louisiana.
Bianca’s paternal grandmother was Gertie Broussard (the dauughter of Joseph Broussard and Effie Wilturner). Gertie was born in Lafayette, Louisiana. Effie was the daughter of Alcide Wilturner and Julia Johnson.
Bianca’s great grandmother Effie happens to be the sister to my grandmother- Myrtle. Effie was the mother my grandmother had since her mother had died early. Also my father was named after Alcide Wilturner…
It is also so interesting how the names carry through. Gertie happens to also be the name of my cousin. Myrtle’s daughter Mary Helen named her daughter-Gertie
Mixed race, no question
Most African-Americans (Descendents of slaves)are a Black multi-generational mix. She isn’t an exception.
We know this, but why isn’t she an exception? Because she wants to acknowledge all of her ethnicities?
why would she be an exception? I pretty sure most African American would acknowledge their backgrounds, if they knew what they were. I’m actually impress that she knew that much about her background, most people I know can’t go further than great grandma
Yeah, it depends, some might not want to acknowledge it and some do if they take a DNA test. I know AA are mixed but mostly their European Side is mostly Northwest European (like Irish, English Scottish) more so than Italian or Portuguese from DNA videos I’ve seen. I’m glad she also acknowledges all of her ethnicities.
Mother’s genealogy: https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/m/c/c/Shelby-Mcclendon/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0049.html
Her maternal grandmother was Rosemary Hawkins.
MyHeritage says she was born in Detroit, Michigan, on November 2, 1931. However, it appears to be 1930: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JP99-XPX
genealogies of Bianca’s maternal grandfather (through his brother, Berry Gordy): https://famouskin.com/pedigree.php?name=35588+berry+gordy&ahnum=1
https://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=dowfam3&id=I570848
who are her Italian, Blackfoot Native American, Portuguese ancestors?
Could be from anywhere, she could have ancestors from places like Sardinia, or the French island, Corsica. Even in Portugal.
Sardinia is an Italian island right next to Corsica too.
*above
there is likely a lot of stuff we are not aware of on her maternal grandmother’s side.
She is most likely multiracial probably