Our Genetic Legacy

What Our Genetic Legacy does

Our Genetic Legacy (OGL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Diego, California, that builds programs to recover, document, and publish missing BIPOC narratives in American history. Its portfolio includes six core offerings: the DRONe Project (a paid workforce development program training youth as FAA Part 107-certified drone pilots using LiDAR and FPV technology for digital historic preservation), History Makers' Workshop (genealogy and ancestral legacy education using DNA), Legacy Tracing (a trademarked multi-phase research methodology with paid consultations at $25 per 30-minute and $40 per 60-minute session), the We The People Museum (a virtual museum platform and San Diego Museum Council member showcasing youth-led exhibits), the We The People Book (described as the first 100% BIPOC-authored and edited U.S. history book), and UnderH2O Explorers (a marine science program offering scuba, ROV, and NAUI certification pathways into the blue economy).

OGL's technology stack is built around drone-based LiDAR and photogrammetry capture (with DroneDeploy and SPH Engineering's UgCS as technology partners), GIS mapping, ROV operation, 3D modeling, and a digital storytelling/virtual museum platform — tools used primarily for site documentation rather than AI-driven analysis. The organization operates through a community-led and event-driven go-to-market: it delivers programming in person in San Diego and Los Angeles through school district and community organization partnerships, while the virtual museum and consultation booking system extend reach globally.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: foundation grants (a $200,000 grant from The Conrad Prebys Foundation in September 2024 is disclosed), individual and corporate donations, paid Legacy Tracing consultations, paid DRONe Project cohort fees, and corporate sponsorship of book distribution (10,000-copy target). The organization is founder-led by Shellie Baxter with an Executive and Advisory Board, operates with 1–10 staff (supplemented by interns and volunteers), and has reported operational milestones including 40+ drone pilots certified, 500+ individuals guided through Legacy Tracing, and drone mappings completed across four continents.

Name

Our Genetic Legacy

Legal name

Our Genetic Legacy

Website

https://ourgeneticlegacy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Our Genetic Legacy is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that combines drone technology, genealogy, and digital storytelling to recover, document, and exhibit missing BIPOC narratives in U.S. history, serving BIPOC youth, families, and schools through workforce development and cultural preservation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Heritage Preservation and BIPOC Genealogy Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (712110), Libraries and Archives (519210), Historical Sites (712120), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Archives, Special Collections & Preservation Operations (Rare Materials, Conservation) (EDAEAGAJ), Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH), Advanced Project-Based Learning & Portfolio Mentoring (STEM/arts portfolios, maker projects) (EDANAKAI)

Keywords

• Cultural heritage preservation
• Genealogy research services
• Drone pilot certification
• Youth workforce development
• Historic preservation education

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Legacy Tracing Consultations: One-on-one research assistance from professional genealogists offered at two price points: $25 for 30 minutes and $40 for 60 minutes.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 86-2179410), OGL relies on donations, corporate sponsorships, and partnership fees. The organization seeks corporate partners to sponsor distribution of We The People history books.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Our Genetic Legacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a portfolio of programs covering BIPOC genealogy research, drone-based digital historic preservation, youth STEAM workforce development, marine science training, BIPOC-authored educational publishing, and a virtual museum. Its paid service offering is the Legacy Tracing™ consultation (30 min at $25, 60 min at $40) delivered by professional genealogists, complemented by funded programs such as the DRONe Project, History Makers' Workshop, UnderH2O Explorers, the We The People Museum, and the We The People Book.

Product overview

Our Genetic Legacy is a nonprofit educational organization that creates a portfolio of programs focused on uncovering, documenting, and sharing missing BIPOC narratives in American history. The core offerings include the DRONE Project (a workforce development program training youth as licensed drone pilots using LiDAR, FPV, and GIS technologies for digital historic preservation), the History Makers' Workshop (teaching ancestral legacy documentation through DNA and genealogy), Legacy Tracing (a proprietary genealogy methodology with paid consultation services), and the UnderH2O Explorers program (marine science training with scuba and ROV certification). The We The People Museum serves as the digital exhibition platform showcasing youth-led exhibits powered by drones and digital innovation, while the We The People Book represents a 100% BIPOC-authored history textbook. These programs use tools including DNA research, drone technology, ROVs, and digital storytelling to preserve Afro and Indigenous histories for future generations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• We The People Museum: A pioneering digital platform dedicated to preserving and sharing diverse histories. A virtual museum visually centered in San Diego's Encanto neighborhood and member of the San Diego Museum Council, celebrating Afro and Indigenous histories through youth-led exhibits powered by drones, storytelling, and digital innovation.
• DRONe Project (Descendants Recovering Our Names)
• Legacy Tracing
• UnderH2O Explorers
• History Makers' Workshop
• We The People Book

Products and services

• DRONe Project (Descendants Recovering Our Names) A paid workforce development program that trains youth to become digital historic preservationists as licensed drone pilots using LiDAR, FPV, and GIS technologies, preparing participants for high wage-earning careers in STEAM fields.
• History Makers' Workshop An educational program teaching youth and adults how to find and historically document their ancestral legacy using DNA research, oral history, archival records, primary sources, and digital databases; participants create publications and lead public presentations.
• Legacy Tracing A multi-phase research process combining DNA research, archival records, and cultural storytelling that helps people uncover and preserve Afro and Indigenous family histories using a trademarked proprietary genealogy methodology.
• Legacy Tracing Consultation One-on-one paid research assistance from a professional genealogist delivered in 30-minute ($25) and 60-minute ($40) sessions using the Legacy Tracing methodology to help individuals recover their ancestral legacy.
• We The People Museum A digital historic preservation platform and virtual museum dedicated to preserving and sharing Afro and Indigenous histories through youth-led exhibits powered by drones, storytelling, and digital innovation; member of the San Diego Museum Council.
• We The People Book The first 100% BIPOC authored and edited U.S. history book written by DNA descendants, using family stories and genealogical research to tell U.S. history through the perspectives of everyday people, with each chapter centered on a specific individual and primary documents.
• UnderH2O Explorers A two-year program for girls and young women ages 14-21 that equips participants with scuba, ROV, and marine research skills while opening pathways into the blue economy, with fieldwork in locations including Belize, Roatán, and Africa.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ drone pilots certified through workforce development programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• San Diego CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego County partnership supporting OGL programs and workforce development initiatives for BIPOC youth.
• Girl CodecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting technology and coding education for girls and young women.
• First GencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst-generation student support organization partnering with OGL for educational programs.
• DroneDeploymajorTechnology or IntegrationDroneDeploy featured OGL's work using drones for BIPOC history preservation. Technology partner for drone mapping and reality capture.
• Diving With A PurposecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime archaeology organization collaborating with UnderH2O Explorers program for youth certification and underwater heritage preservation. Partnered on PADI Maritime Archaeology certification for founder.
• SPH Engineering (UgCS)majorTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing UgCS toolset for LiDAR mission planning used in OGL's drone mapping of BIPOC historical sites.
• Elementary Institute of Science (EIS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSan Diego-based science education center hosting drone technology training sessions for OGL programs.
• Jackie Robinson Family YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing pool access for UnderH2O swim training and Community Swimathon events.
• NAUI WorldwidecoreTechnology or IntegrationScuba certification organization that certified UnderH2O Explorers as Open Water Divers.
• Paddle for PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAquatic organization providing swim training and support for UnderH2O Explorers program.
• SoCal Black Scuba DiverscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization providing confined water scuba instruction and pool practice for UnderH2O participants.
• Blue Futures Aquatic ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational initiative partner for water safety awareness and blue economy career pathways.
• BSPWPC (Black Swimming Women)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwim coaching organization providing ongoing instruction and confidence building for UnderH2O Explorers.
• San Diego Museum CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum industry association; We The People Museum is a proud member of the San Diego Museum Council.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Elementary Institute of Science (EIS): San Diego-based STEM education nonprofit that hosts OGL's drone training sessions. Comparable as a regional STEAM education provider and direct implementation partner; smaller, narrower program scope than OGL's heritage-tech integration.

Direct peers

• Girl Code: Named OGL partner focused on technology and coding education for girls and young women. Directly comparable in serving the same target demographic (BIPOC girls and young women in STEAM) and a co-marketing/curriculum peer for the DRONe Project.
• Ancestry: Largest consumer genealogy platform with DNA testing, archival records, and family-tree tools. Directly comparable in delivering paid genealogy services to consumers pursuing ancestral recovery — the same core OGL monetizes via Legacy Tracing™ consultations.
• National Association of Black Scuba Divers: Community organization expanding Black participation in scuba diving. Most directly comparable peer to OGL's UnderH2O Explorers program in serving Black youth in marine sciences, scuba certification, and water-confidence training.
• FamilySearch: Free genealogy and archival records service operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Directly comparable as a widely used genealogy research resource that OGL's Legacy Tracing methodology complements and is differentiated against via DNA + cultural storytelling.
• Diving With A Purpose: Maritime archaeology organization partnered with OGL on the UnderH2O program; trains volunteers in underwater heritage preservation. Closest direct peer for OGL's UnderH2O Explorers program and PADI Maritime Archaeology work led by founder Shellie Baxter.
• 23andMe: Consumer genetic testing company used for ancestry and heritage research. Comparable as a DNA-driven genealogy service provider, and frequently used by OGL clients; differs as a for-profit DTC product rather than a methodology-led nonprofit service.

Broad incumbents

• California African American Museum: California-based museum preserving African American art, history, and culture. Comparable as a regional BIPOC heritage museum and a logical institutional peer/partnership candidate for OGL's We The People Museum and We The People Book.
• Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture: The pre-eminent U.S. institution preserving and exhibiting African American history. Comparable as a BIPOC-focused museum/heritage institution and a likely thought leader and partner; differs in scale (federal, multi-billion dollar institution) and delivery (physical landmark vs. OGL's virtual museum).
• National Trust for Historic Preservation: U.S. national nonprofit focused on historic preservation, including sites and stories of underrepresented communities. Most directly comparable as a heritage-preservation counterpart operating at significantly greater scale, with overlapping mission of documenting BIPOC and minority historic sites.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ourgenetic
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7kBJmDzMGc0VSrL51anNeg
• Facebookfacebook.com/OurGeneticLegacy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/our-genetic-legacy
• Instagraminstagram.com/ourgeneticlegacy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Our Genetic Legacy