The Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program, launched in June 2025 with $500,000 in state funding, offers free DNA testing and genomic analysis to help Black residents trace their ancestry and reconnect with familial roots in Africa, particularly West Africa. Led by researcher LaKisha David at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and backed by State Representative Carol Ammons, the program addresses the disconnection caused by the transatlantic slave trade and systemic racism. Participants submit DNA samples through at-home kits or existing results from other services, enabling scientists to analyze genetic markers for potential familial ties. The program is open to all Illinois residents and aims to distribute 1,600 kits statewide. The city of Evanston, the first U.S. city to implement a reparations program, partners with the initiative by offering kits to residents and promotes cultural healing and identity restoration within the community. Organizers hope the program will strengthen Black leadership, pride, and community healing by providing access to ancestral knowledge lost through slavery’s legacy.