Molefi Kete Asante papers

Educator and scholar Molefi K. Asante founded the first Ph.D. program in African American Studies at Temple University, where he taught for many years. Asante is a leading figure in African American Studies and African Studies and is known for his writings on Afrocentrism. His papers contain correspondence; speeches; material dealing with his academic work at Temple University and other institutions; appointment books; writings, including articles, poems, and book reviews; newspaper clippings; photographs; and conference and workshop materials. The papers also contain writings and news articles of early Asante accomplishments under his former name, Arthur Lee Smith. Correspondents include Dr. Leonard Jeffries of City University of New York and Dr. Tony Martin of Wellesley College.

The bulk of the papers consists of the Department of African American Studies correspondence with Dr. Asante’s peers and students and correspondence from Dr. Asante’s prison files from 1988-2003. The letters from individuals incarcerated around the nation to Dr. Asante requesting writings about Afrocentricity and discuss individual views about the topic. Correspondence from individuals in Africa can also be found throughout the collection. There are numerous articles from news clippings about Dr. Asante or written by him, some professional memorabilia including programs and announcements and five typescript manuscript articles are included. Posters for various lecture series sponsored by the Center for Africana Studies can also be found within the papers. Lastly, Dr. Asante has included his family genealogy chart.

Sound recordings from the broadcast, Point to Point from May 2002 to July 2003 are included within the collection, as well as from lectures and speeches.

Of note is correspondence and articles concerning the controversy that resulted in Dr. Asante stepping down as Chair of the African American Studies Department he instituted at Temple Univesity. Also included is a manuscript of poems entitled "Long Drums."