Samira Wiley

Wiley in 2015, photo by Debby Wong/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Samira Denise Wiley

Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., U.S.

Date of Birth: April 15, 1987

Ethnicity: African-American

Samira Wiley is an American actress and model.

She was born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of The Revs. Christine Y. and Dennis W. Wiley. Her parents are co-pastors of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ, known as “pillars of the LGBT religious community.” They are pictured here and here. Samira’s nephew (sister’s brother) is actor Asante Blackk.

Samira is married to writer Lauren Morelli, with whom she has a daughter.

Samira’s paternal grandfather was The Rev. Herley/Herlie/Hurley Wesley Wiley (the son of The Rev. John Westly/Wesley Wiley and Cora Bell/Belle Swift). The Rev. Herley was born in North Carolina. He was one of the first African-American pastors to be in charge of a predominantly white church, in Washington D.C. The Rev. John was the son of Archie/Arch Wiley and Fannie Burton. Cora was the daughter of Joseph/Joe W. Swift and Adeline Covington.

Samira’s paternal grandmother was named Doris White.

Sources: http://theopenedbox.com

Birth record of Samira’s paternal grandfather, Herley/Herlie/Hurley Wesley Wiley – https://familysearch.org

Samira’s paternal grandfather, Herley/Herlie/Hurley Wesley Wiley, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Samira’s paternal grandfather, The Rev. Herley/Herlie/Hurley Wesley Wiley – http://www.legacy.com

Genealogies of Samira’s paternal great-grandparents, The Rev. John Westly/Wesley Wiley and Cora Bell/Belle (Swift) Wiley – https://www.findagrave.com

Marriage record of Samira’s paternal great-grandparents, The Rev. John Westly/Wesley Wiley and Cora Bell/Belle Swift – https://familysearch.org

Samira’s paternal great-grandfather, John Westly/Wesley Wiley, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Death record of Samira’s paternal great-grandmother, Cora Bell/Belle (Swift) Wiley – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Samira’s paternal grandmother, Doris (White) Wiley – http://www.legacy.com