Sanaa Lathan
Lathan in 2010, Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com
Birth Name: Sanaa McCoy Lathan
Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: September 19, 1971
Ethnicity: African-American
Sanaa Lathan is an American actress. She is known for starring in the movies Blade (1998), Brown Sugar (2002), and Alien vs. Predator (2004). Her father, Stan Lathan, is a producer and director. Her mother, Eleanor McCoy (Eleanor Leslie McCoy), performed on Broadway. Her brother is DJ Tendaji Lathan.
Sanaa’s parents are both African-American. Her first name, Sanaa, means “work of art” in Swahili.
Some websites state that she has Native American ancestry. It is not clear if this ancestry has been verified/documented.
Sanaa’s paternal grandfather was named Stanley Edward Lathan (the son of William E. Lathan and Addie). Stanley was born in Pennsylvania.
Sanaa’s paternal grandmother was Julia Elizabeth Dunston (the daughter of Charles Dallas Dunston, Sr. and Lillian Pauline Muldrow). Julia was born in Pennsylvania. Lillian was the daughter of Phillip Muldrow and Rebecca E. Turner.
Sanaa’s maternal grandfather was Wesley Brice McCoy (the son of Wesley Duncan/Deer McCoy and Perses Helen Brice). Sanaa’s grandfather Wesley was born in South Bend, Indiana. Sanaa’s great-grandfather Wesley was the son of Duncan McCoy and Rosetta Nash. Perses was the daughter of John D. Brice and Paul.
Sanaa’s maternal grandmother was named Helen Irene Traylor (the daughter of Henry Franklin Traylor and Nittie/Mittie Rita Reeder Teasley). Helen was born in Hartwell, Georgia. She is pictured here.
Sources: Sanaa’s paternal grandfather, Stanley Edward Lathan, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Sanaa’s paternal grandmother, Julia Elizabeth Dunston, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Sanaa’s paternal great-grandparents, Charles Dallas Dunston and Lillian Pauline Muldrow, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Sanaa’s maternal grandfather, Wesley Brice McCoy, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Yah!! I”m black and indian too. Much love to you Sanaa!! :)
I think those claims aren’t from her mouth.
Are they claiming that or is it just the author guessing?
why do so many black celebs. Say they’re native a??? This isnlike the 4th on here
That’s because most so called black people in the United States are descendents of Native Americans it’s just a fact plan and simple. Why is it a big deal that she talks about she clearly isn’t just black just by looking at her features alone.
Actually, thats just a myth in the black community that everyone and their mama are native american. It was proved on African American lives that most african americans are not native american and that if their were 20 black ppl in a room only 1 outta of that 20 actually has native american in them. But why are all the african americans celebs on this site mixed. Really now? :/ Being mixed is when 1 parent is this and the other parent is another….not what your great great grandfather was..lmao
This site doesnt say all African American celebs are mixed. thats BS.
An another thing, yes African American lives proved that most african americans are not native american, but it did confirm that many AAs have Caucasian blood.
To ethnic
Sorry man I have to disagree with you.I just finish looking at African American lives for the second time,and I didn’t see where it proved that(that most african americans are not native american);all it shown was that those people didn’t have high amounts.I mean you take a hand full of celebrities and that supposed to speak for African Americans.However even if you go by his guess that still leaves about 2million AA’s with that lineage in high enough amounts,can we agree?
You gotta a point. its a very small gene pool to make any conclusions.
To Ethnic
I don’t know why he said what he said.I really don’t care me being part that,hasn’t help me.It makes me who I am,but that it.I was just talking to my mother the other day.She say herself that my father was more white than black,but you couldn’t tell him that.Despite what Chris rock said,I’m not ashamed to say I have white blood.My family so mixed up,I wouldn’t be surprised if I was part samoan.Well later man
hey man hope you keep exploring your background and let us know on here!
To truth
Did you see most AA’s on that show or did you see less than 20 people out of 40million?Also if you review the DVD again,you would see he was simply stating his opinion on the numbers,he didn’t say it was a fact.Now like I told Ethnic,even if you went by his opinion that still makes about 2million AA’s with detectable lineage.Now the mix your talking about is call first generation,there are MGM
How is she clearly not just black? What features of hers aren’t black? LOL.
what’s so different about her features that sreams out native?
This young lady is beautiful.