| M.K. Asante, Jr. | |
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 M.K. Asante, Jr. |
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| Born | November 3, 1982 Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Occupation | Writer, Filmmaker, Professor |
| Website http://www.mkasante.com |
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M. K. Asante, Jr. is an African-American professor, author, filmmaker and activist. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe shortly after the Liberation Struggle, he is the son of scholar Molefi Kete Asante and choreographer Kariamu Welsh. He has been described by the Philadelphia Inquirer as "a rare, remarkable talent that brings to mind the great artists of the Harlem Renaissance." [1] He is a recipient of the 2009 Langston Hughes Award from the Langston Hughes Society.
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Biography
Education
Asante is a graduate of The Crefeld School in Philadelphia, which he attended after being expelled from two other schools for writing politically-charged graffiti.[2] He studied film and literature at the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies, earned a B.A. in Africana Studies and English from Lafayette College, and an M.F.A. in Screenwriting from UCLA School of Theater Film and Television.
he was a proffeser at morgan state university
Books
Asante is the author of three celebrated books. His most recent book,It's Bigger than Hip-Hop (2008), was selected as a Top 25 Book of 2008 by the Kansas City Star. The Los Angeles Times called it "An empowering book that moves you to action and to question status quo America." His other books are the poetry collections, Beautiful. And Ugly Too (2005) and Like Water Running Off My Back (2002), winner of the Academy of American Poets Jean Corrie Prize.
Films
Through his company Asante Filmworx, Asante has made two award-winning feature films. Asante wrote and produced the documentary 500 Years Later, winner of Best Documentary at the Pan-African Film Festival, Bridgetown Film Festival; Best Film at the International Black Cinema Film Festival; and Best International Documentary at the Harlem International Film Festival. The film also won the Breaking the Chains Award from UNESCO.
Asante wrote, directed and produced the 2008 film The Black Candle, narrated by Maya Angelou, winner of Best Documentary at the Africa World Film Documentary Film Festival.
Works
Books
- It's Bigger Than Hip Hop (2008)
- Beautiful. And Ugly Too (2005)
- Like Water Running Off My Back (2002)
Films
- The Black Candle (2008)
- 500 Years Later (2005)
Quotes
- "If you make an observation, you have an obligation."[3]
References
- ^ M.K. Asante, Jr. - Artist in Progress, The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 30th, 2005
- ^ Filmmaker from Hill thrills Crefeld School kids, ChestnutHillLocal.com, December 15, 2005
- ^ OU 'family' celebrates Kwanzaa (2006)
External links
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