Djimon Hounsou’s Journey: Reconnecting The Black Diaspora To Its Roots

Having grown up in the West African nation of Benin, two-time Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou immigrated to the U.S. in 1990, chasing his dreams of an acting career. However, his journey was marked by an emotional void he couldn’t ignore.

“I felt a tremendous void, one rooted in the lack of knowledge about who we are—our history, ancestral roots, and culture,” Hounsou told CNN. “I experienced a profound disconnect with African Americans.”

This realization deepened when Hounsou landed the lead role in Steven Spielberg’s 1997 film Amistad, which tells the harrowing story of the slave trade. The film’s research opened his eyes to the severed ties between Afro-descendants and their heritage.

“As I delved into research for Amistad, I became acutely aware of the disconnect Afro-descendants have from their roots and culture,” Hounsou explained.

Throughout his 30-year career, Hounsou faced the harsh realities of systemic racism, a legacy of slavery that he encountered firsthand in Hollywood. Despite his roles in blockbuster hits like Gladiator, Shazam!, and A Quiet Place, and Oscar nods for In America and Blood Diamond, Hounsou faced typecasting and financial struggles common among Black actors in the industry.

“Even with two Oscar nominations, I’m still struggling to make a living,” he revealed. “That’s a clear sign of how deeply ingrained systemic racism is.”

Determined to make a difference, Hounsou launched the Djimon Hounsou Foundation in 2019. The foundation aims to reconnect the Black diaspora with its African roots and combat modern-day slavery. A key initiative of his foundation is Africa Reconnect, a series of music and cultural events held in Richmond, Virginia.

Last September, CNN attended Hounsou’s third annual Run Richmond 16-19 event, held in a city that once played a pivotal role in the transatlantic slave trade. The event began with a ceremony titled “A Time to Heal,” held in Shockoe Bottom, a former site of America’s second-largest slave market. The evening featured meditative practices inspired by West Africa’s Yoruba traditions, including guided meditation and shamanic drumming.

“I want this to be a cathartic experience for our people, to release grief so we can heal and reconcile,” said Hounsou. Acknowledging the pain that might resurface at such a historical site, he added, “By opening those wounds, we engage in a form of healing.”

Approximately 2,000 people gathered for the event’s cultural run or walk, covering distances of 16.19 kilometers or 6.19 kilometers—symbolic of the year 1619 when enslaved Africans first arrived in Virginia. Participants used a mobile app, narrated by Hounsou, that provided historical context along the route.

Hounsou plans to expand the event to Liverpool and Ouidah, Benin, to symbolically reverse the triangular route of the transatlantic slave trade, transforming it into a “triangle of hope.”

“We all have a specific place where we can honor our ancestors,” Hounsou emphasized. His foundation also sponsors 14-day trips to Africa, offering participants a deeper understanding of their heritage.

“I came to California with a mission—to do something for my continent and my people, to champion reconciliation and reconnection with the motherland,” Hounsou said. “I hope I’ve helped change the narrative about our people and our continent.”