February 24, 2010
M.K. Asante, Jr. Download image.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - M.K. Asante Jr., writer, director and producer of the award-winning film "The Black Candle," narrated by poet Maya Angelou, will speak at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Friday, March 5.
The lecture, sponsored by the UAB African-American Studies Program, will be held 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 5 in Heritage Hall Room 102, 1401 University Blvd. Asante will discuss what he describes as "artivism," the idea of using art as a vehicle for activism in the African-American community. A reception will follow immediately after the lecture. Admission is free. Call 205-975-9652 for more details.
Asante is a prize-winning author and filmmaker hailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer as "a rare, remarkable talent that brings to mind the great artists of the Harlem Renaissance." He has written three books, including Beautiful and Ugly Too and Like Water Running Off My Back, winner of the Academy of American Poets Jean Corrie Prize. In 2009, Asante received the Langston Hughes Award. His latest book is It's Bigger Than Hip Hop, which The Los Angeles Times called "an empowering book that moves you to action and to question status quo America."
In his documentary film "The Black Candle" Asante used Kwanzaa to explore the African-American experience. Kwanzaa, which was created in the United States, is a week-long celebration that honors universal African principles and culture. The film presents an inspirational story about the struggle and triumph of family, community and culture.
He also wrote and produced the documentary film "500 Years Later," released in 2005, which received numerous honors, including Best Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival.
Asante has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including the "CBS Early Show," NPR, "The Tom Joyner Morning Show" and "Chuck D's On the Real." A native of Zimbabwe raised in Philadelphia, Asante studied at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies. He earned his bachelor degree from Lafayette College and a master of fine arts from the UCLA School of Film and Television. He is a professor of creative writing and film at Morgan State University.
About the UAB African-American Studies Program
UAB African-American Studies is an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree program housed within the UAB College of Arts and Sciences. The program integrates the humanities, social and behavioral sciences and health-related fields. It is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of cultural values and experiences that connect people of African descent, beginning in Africa and extending to the Caribbean, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe.