Profile Text
Malveaux and Janine di Giovanni – The International Women’s Media Foundation’s 27th Annual Courage in Journalism Awards Ceremony – Arrivals – Cipriani 42nd Street – New York City, NY, USA, 2016 – Photo Credit: Laurence Agron / PRPhotos.com
Birth Name: Suzanne Maria Malveaux
Place of Birth: Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Date of Birth: December 4, 1966
Ethnicity: Louisiana Creole [African, French, as well as Spanish and Italian, distant Irish, at least 1/1024 Algonquin First Nations]
Suzanne Malveaux is an American news journalist. She works in television, on CNN.
Suzanne self-identifies as black.
She is the daughter of Myrna Maria (Ruiz) and Floyd Joseph Malveaux. Her parents are of Louisiana Creole descent. They both have African ancestry, along with French/French-Canadian, and some Spanish and Italian. At least some of her African ancestors were from Guinea. She also has at least one Algonquin First Nations ancestor, her eight times great-grandmother Catherine Exipakinoa.
A picture of Suzanne’s father can be seen here . A picture of Suzanne with her mother can be seen here .
Among Suzanne’s siblings is Suzette M. Malveaux, a law professor. Suzanne’s father comes from a long line of free men of color, going back to at least the 1800s.
Suzanne has a daughter, who is adopted, with her former partner, political advisor Karine Jean-Pierre , who was White House Press Secretary, from 2022 to 2025.
A DNA test taken by the show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2017) stated that Suzanne’s genetic ancestry consists of:
*65% European ——–*37% Western Europe ——–*14% Italy & Greece *34% African ——–*12% Mali ——–*7% Cameroon/Congo ——–*6% Benin/Togo ——–*3% Nigeria ——–*3% Ivory Coast/Ghana ——–*2% African North ——–*1% Senegal *1% Native American
*65% European ——–*37% Western Europe ——–*14% Italy & Greece *34% African ——–*12% Mali ——–*7% Cameroon/Congo ——–*6% Benin/Togo ——–*3% Nigeria ——–*3% Ivory Coast/Ghana ——–*2% African North ——–*1% Senegal *1% Native American
While her precise European percentages were not fully visible, her European genetic ancestry also included a small amount of Scandinavian.
Suzanne’s patrilineal line can be traced to Laurent Malveaux, who was born, before 1775, and to his wife, Constance Chrétien. Laurent, a free man of color, was running his own plantation in 1830. He was a slaveowner, who emancipated his wife Constance and their children.
Suzanne’s paternal grandfather was Joseph Delton Malveaux (the son of Joseph Laurent “Lawrence” Malveaux and Héliène/Héllène “Helen” Fauries). Suzanne’s grandfather Joseph was born in St. Martinville, St. Martin, Louisiana. Suzanne’s great-grandfather Joseph was the son of Jean Baptiste Laurent Malveaux and Amélie Chrétien.
Suzanne’s paternal grandmother was Inez Mary Lemelle (the daughter of Joseph Bartholomew/Barthelemy “Jim” Lemelle and Edolia/Idola/Elena Lee Donatto/Donato). Inez was born in Opelousas, St. Landry, Louisiana. Joseph was the son of Charles Barthelemy Lemelle and Thomascine/Domicille Lemelle. Suzanne’s great-grandmother Elena was the daughter of George Donato and Marie/Mary Girond/Giron.
Suzanne’s maternal grandfather was John Flores Mansion Ruiz (the son of John F. Mansion Ruiz and Anostesia/Anostasia/Anastasia/Anastasie Lacoste/La Coste). Suzanne’s grandfather John was born in Louisiana. Suzanne’s great-grandfather John was the son of John F. Ruiz and Marie Ida Miller. Suzanne’s great-grandmother Anostesia was the daughter of T. Gustav/Gustave Lacoste and Victoria/Victorine Lawrence/Laurence/Laurent Bertrand.
Suzanne’s maternal grandmother was Lucille Mary Davis (the daughter of Albert Davis/Dave and Lucille Rousseau). Albert was the son of Samuel Dave and Cecilia. Suzanne’s great-grandmother Lucille was the daughter of Otere Rousseau and Mary.
Sources: Suzanne’s paternal grandmother, Inez Mary Lemelle, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Suzanne’s paternal great-grandfather, Joseph Bartholomew/Barthelemy “Jim” Lemelle, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Information about Suzanne’s Donatto/Donato ancestors – http://www.creolegen.org
Marriage record of Suzanne’s maternal grandparents, John Flores Mansion Ruiz and Lucille Mary Davis – https://www.familysearch.org
Genealogy of Suzanne’s maternal grandfather, John Flores Mansion Ruiz (focusing on his mother’s side) – http://bayoubohemia.net
Suzanne’s maternal grandfather, John Flores Mansion Ruiz, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Marriage records of Suzanne’s maternal great-grandparents, John F. Mansion Ruiz and Anostesia/Anostasia/Anastasia/Anastasie Lacoste/La Coste – https://www.familysearch.org https://www.familysearch.org https://www.familysearch.org