Community Partnerships
At the ASHES Lab, our research is rooted in ethical, transparent, and community-centered partnerships with African American descendant communities. We believe that scientific research, particularly in the areas of genetics, ancestry, and health, must be conducted in collaboration with, not simply about, the communities it involves.
Our community partnerships are built on mutual trust, shared goals, and sustained engagement. We work closely with local leaders, families, and stakeholders to co-develop research questions, interpret findings, and design events that center community knowledge, priorities, and lived experiences.
This means that our work doesn’t begin in the lab, it begins in conversation. Whether we’re organizing DNA collection days, holding community education forums, or preserving the legacy of historic burial grounds, we are committed to conducting research that is culturally respectful, scientifically rigorous, and socially impactful.
Explore our current partnerships to learn more about how we engage with communities and co-create knowledge:
Hillsborough Community
The Hillsborough Legacy Project is a community-driven research initiative here at The ASHES Lab at NC State University that aims to shine a light on the hidden genetic and historical stories of the Hardscrabble/ Pleasant Grove Plantation in Hillsborough, North Carolina. At the heart of the project is an exploration of an 18th-century burial ground—a very sacred site that holds the untold stories of enslaved Africans who lived and worked here under harsh conditions. By blending advanced genomic and metagenomic techniques with community engagement, our project strives to connect the past and the present, offering new insights into our shared ancestry and how it might affect our modern health.
Wendell Community
The Wendell Ancestry and Memory Project, led by NC State University's ASHES Lab, is dedicated to uncovering the hidden histories of a newly identified historic burial site in Wendell, North Carolina. Discovered on private land, this sacred site potentially dates back to the late 1700s, serving as the final resting place for enslaved Africans whose lives and legacies have been long overlooked by history.