The path to self-realization involves knowing one\’s own identity.
Arthur Lee Smith
He was born to a family of sixteen to a peanut factory worker and a domestic worker. He would attend the Nashville Christian Institute, which was a black school based on the Church of Christ denomination. He would later earn an A.A. at the Southwestern Christian College, a B.A. at Oklahoma Christian University, an M.A. at Pepperdine University, and a PhD at UCLA.
Asante was heavily involved in the Civil Rights movement, which had been happening during his time in high school. When he went to Southwestern Christian College, he had a Nigerian professor, who inspired him to study in-depth the African identity.
Molefi Kete Asante
He had his name changed to Molefi Kete Asante. Molefi is Sotho for \”one who gives and keeps the traditions\” and Asante comes from the Twi language referring to the Asante tribe. His father was proud and supportive that he would make this choice.
He started as an assistant professor at Purdue University and would become the professor and chairman of the African American Studies in the Temple University. He led an industrious life in academia by writing more than 75 books and directing more than 100 dissertations.
Sources
- Meserette Pages. Dr. Molefi Kete Asante: The Distinguished Afrocentic Scholar. Kentake Page. 2015.
- Molefi Kete Asante.
- Molefi Kete Asante\’s Biography. The History Makers.
- https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780713991017/page/140/mode/2up
- TV Multiversity. \”Molefi Asante 2011.\” Wikimedia. June 27-9 2011. CC BY 3.0.