Molefi Kete Asante

Molefi Kete Asante holds a prominent role in the Department of Africology at Temple University, where he founded the PhD program in African-American Studies. His influence and expertise extend far beyond the university, evidenced by his position as president of the Molefi Kete Asante Institute for Afrocentric Studies. His scholarly contributions are vast, with authorship of over 66 books and a foundational role in the creation of the Journal of Black Studies. In 1976, Asante was elected president of the Society for Intercultural Education, Training, and Research, further affirming his instrumental role in the field.

Asante's contributions to academic discourse are transformative, particularly in the fields of African-American studies, African studies, and communication studies. He introduced the concept of Afrocentricity, which has influenced a wide range of fields, including sociology, intercultural communication, critical theory, political science, the history of Africa, and social work. His works, such as "Afrocentricity: The Theory of Social Change" and "The Afrocentric Idea," have left a significant mark, guiding the direction of numerous PhD dissertations under his supervision. His influence has been acknowledged by the Utne Reader, which identified Asante as one of the top 100 leading thinkers in America.

In addition to his academic contributions, Asante's cultural influence is notable. In 1995, he was given the regnal name of Nana Okru Asante Peasah and the chieftaincy title of Kyidomhene of the House of Tafo, Akyem Abuakwa, Ghana. Later, in 2012, he received the chieftaincy title of the Wanadoo of Gao in the court of the Amiru (Paramount Chief) Hassimi Maiga of Songhai. He has shared his Afrocentric ideas on prominent television programs such as "The Today Show," "60 Minutes," and the "MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour". His recent co-authored publication, "Being Human Being: Transforming the Race Discourse," continues to demonstrate his commitment to transforming the cultural discourse and promoting Afrocentric perspectives.