Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Stroke exacts a particularly heavy toll on SubSaharan Africans and African Americans but our understanding of why certain groups of people are at higher risk for stroke than others remains limited. The Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network SIREN study comprises a multidisciplinary group of investigators in Africa and the United States collectively focused on improving our understanding of the genetic and environmental reasons for stroke among people of African ancestry. Study findings may lead to new treatments that could be helpful for people at high risk of stroke worldwide.