Author Talk: Dr. Molefi Kete Asante | "Ama Mazama: The Ogunic Presence in Africology" & "An Afrocentric Pan Africanist Vision"

The most prolific contemporary African American scholar who has published 92 books, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante joins the Blockson Collection in a thoughtful and provocative talk about his latest works, "Ama Mazama: The Ogunic Presence in Africology" and "An Afrocentric Pan Africanist Vision." Dr. Asante is professor and chair of the Department of Africology and African American Studies at Temple University. “Molefi Kete Asante’s Ama Mazama: The Ogunic Presence in Africology takes the reader on a remarkable journey of Ama Mazama’s intellectual ascendency. Asante tells this story from the same spiritual center that informs her consciousness. Simply put, he gets her. His exploration of Mazama’s international stature helps solidify this profound activist scholar’s place in the discipline of Africology as well as her importance to the broader Pan-African world. This work situates Ama Mazama among the greatest African thinkers, past and present. Ama Mazama: The Ogunic Presence in Africology is a breathtaking paradigmatic maze of Afrocentric intellectualism that is grounded in the same African cultural framework and cosmology that inspire Ama Mazama’s genius. This is a must read!” —Adisa A. Alkebulan, Associate Professor and Chair of Africana Studies, San Diego State University “Asante’s visionary work weaves together seamlessly fractured pieces of thought on Pan Africanism. He highlights the ideas and actions of major leaders in its creation. In this way, the reader can see more clearly how the roles of Pan African leaders have been part of a necessary process of Pan Africanism’s development. Recognizing the necessity of understanding the significance of culture as the dominant factor in the conquest of Africa and her people, Asante challenges the acceptance of anti-African cultures and suggests ways in which Afrocentric knowledge as a cultural tool can offer the basis for African cultural unity not as a dream but as a reality. I highly recommend this book for those interested in the study of Africa and Pan Africanism and its continuing development as a force for positive change.” —Nah Dove, Temple University

This program will be presented via Zoom. On the day of the program, use this link to join: https://temple.zoom.us/j/97041024583. 

This program is part of the Black Lives Always Mattered! public program series at the Blockson Collection, which has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

All programs are free and open to all, and registration is encouraged. 

Contact Leslie Willis-Lowry at lwillis@temple.edu with questions.