Profile Text
Mila J c. 2010
Birth Name: Jamila Akiko Aba Chilombo
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: November 18, 1982
Ethnicity: African-American, one quarter Japanese, one eighth Louisiana Creole [African, French], distant Native American
Mila J is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and dancer. She is also known as Heika, Japollonia, and Karate ChopHer.
She is the daughter of Karamo Chilombo (born Gregory Wycliff Barnes) and Christina Yamamoto. Her sister is singer and songwriter Jhené Aiko . Mila’s parents are pictured here .
Mila’s paternal grandparents were both African-American. Mila’s maternal grandfather is of Japanese descent, while Mila’s maternal grandmother is of African-American and Louisiana Creole [African, French] ancestry.
A DNA test taken by Mila’s sister Jhené stated that her genetic ancestry consists of:
*34% Europe ——–*15% Trace Regions ——–*13% Ireland ——–*6% Europe West *33% Africa ——–*17% Trace Regions ——–*16% Nigeria *28% Asia ——–*28% Asia East *3% America ——–*3% Native American *1% West Asia *<1% Pacific Islander ——–*<1% Trace Regions
*34% Europe ——–*15% Trace Regions ——–*13% Ireland ——–*6% Europe West *33% Africa ——–*17% Trace Regions ——–*16% Nigeria *28% Asia ——–*28% Asia East *3% America ——–*3% Native American *1% West Asia *<1% Pacific Islander ——–*<1% Trace Regions
Another version of Jhené’s DNA test result can be seen here .
Mila’s sister Jhené has stated that their father also has German Jewish and Native American ancestry. It is not clear if this ancestry has been verified/documented. Jhené’s DNA result contains no obvious indicators of Jewish ancestry. Her DNA result does match 3% Native American roots.
It is also said that Mila has Dominican Republic ancestry. This does not appear to be accurate.
Mila’s sister Jhené has also stated that their black paternal grandparents were “mixed;” which is true, to some extent, of most people of African-American descent. All of Mila’s paternal grandparents and great-grandparents are listed as black on United States Censuses.
Mila’s paternal grandfather was George Warren Barnes (the son of George Washington “Jack” Barnes and Ruth Alberta Williams). Mila’s grandfather George was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to a father from Alabama and a mother from Georgia.
Mila’s paternal grandmother was Helen Viola Chisholm (the daughter of George A. Chisholm and Helen Imelda Duff). Mila’s grandmother Helen was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Helen is pictured here and here . George was born in Pennsylvania, to Nelson Chisholm and Sally/Sallie Jane Green. Mila’s great-grandmother Helen was born in Virginia, to Job/John Henry Duff and Catherine/Katherine Elizabeth Somers/Sommers.
Mila’s maternal grandfather was named Teddy Tadashi Yamamoto (the son of Soyie/Sohei Yamamoto and Kimiko/Kinuko Yamamoto). Tadashi was born in Los Angeles, California. Soyie was born in Katada, Shimacho, Shimagun, Mie-ken, Japan, the son of Yamamoto Isaburo and Takeuchi Omasu. Mila’s great-grandmother Kimiko was born in Hilo, Hawaii, to Japanese parents, Yoshikichi Yamamoto, who was from Hiroshima; and Hisa Sueoka.
Mila’s maternal grandmother was Essie/Esther Regina Pecot (the daughter of Forest Pecot and Verna Della Stone). Essie was born in Texas, or Arizona. Forest was born in St. Mary, Louisiana, and was a Louisiana Creole, the son of Leon Pecot and Regina Ursin Prevost. Leon was said to have been the son of Joseph Charles Pecot, who was white; including roots on Haiti. Mila’s great-grandmother Verna was born in McKinley, New Mexico, to African-American parents, John Stone, from Tennessee, and Essie Lathan, from Texas.
Several pictures of Mila’s ancestors can be seen here . Mila’s maternal grandparents, as well as Mila’s mother’s maternal grandparents, are pictured here . Mila’s maternal grandfather’s mother is pictured here , and Mila’s maternal grandmother’s parents are again pictured here . A picture of Mila’s great-great-grandmother Regina Prevost can be seen here .
Sources: https://intothegloss.com
Mila’s paternal grandfather, George Warren Barnes, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Mila’s paternal grandmother, Helen Viola Chisholm, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Mila’s paternal grandmother, Helen Viola (Chisholm) Barnes – http://www.legacy.com
Mila’s paternal great-grandparents, George A. Chisholm and Helen Imelda Duff, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Jhené discusses their background – http://noisey.vice.com