Samira Wiley
Wiley in 2015, photo by Debby Wong/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Samira Denise Wiley
Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., U.S.
Date of Birth: April 15, 1987
Ethnicity: African-American, as well as African-Caribbean/Black British, one eighth Jewish
Samira Wiley is an American actress and model.
She is the daughter of The Rev. Christine Y. Wiley, Ph.D., and The Rev. Dennis W. Wiley. Her parents are co-pastors of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ, known as “pillars of the LGBT religious community.” They are pictured here and here. Her mother was born in London, England, with African-Caribbean, and likely one eighth Jewish, heritage. Samira’s nephew, sister’s brother, is actor Asante Blackk.
Samira is married to writer Lauren Morelli, with whom she has a daughter.
Samira’s paternal grandfather was The Rev. Herley/Herlie/Hurley Wesley Wiley (the son of The Rev. John Westly/Wesley Wiley and Cora Bell/Belle Swift). The Rev. Herley was born in North Carolina. He was one of the first African-American pastors to be in charge of a predominantly white church, in Washington D.C. The Rev. John was the son of Archie/Arch Wiley and Fannie Burton. Cora was the daughter of Joseph/Joe W. Swift and Adeline Covington.
Samira’s paternal grandmother was named Doris White.
One of Samira’s maternal great-grandmothers was said to be a Jewish woman who married an African-Caribbean man.
Sources:
Birth record of Samira’s paternal grandfather, Herley/Herlie/Hurley Wesley Wiley –
Samira’s paternal grandfather, Herley/Herlie/Hurley Wesley Wiley, on the 1920 U.S. Census –
Obituary of Samira’s paternal grandfather, The Rev. Herley/Herlie/Hurley Wesley Wiley –
Genealogies of Samira’s paternal great-grandparents, The Rev. John Westly/Wesley Wiley and Cora Bell/Belle (Swift) Wiley –
Marriage record of Samira’s paternal great-grandparents, The Rev. John Westly/Wesley Wiley and Cora Bell/Belle Swift –
Samira’s paternal great-grandfather, John Westly/Wesley Wiley, on the 1880 U.S. Census –
Death record of Samira’s paternal great-grandmother, Cora Bell/Belle (Swift) Wiley –
Obituary of Samira’s paternal grandmother, Doris (White) Wiley –
Biography of Asante’s mother –
