The Power of Institutionalized Disciplinarity: Molefi Asante’s Visionary and Pioneering Contributions to African American Studies

As Temple University’s Department of Africology celebrates the 30th anniversary of its doctoral program, the first of its kind, it is necessary to examine closely the vision and actions of the person, Molefi Kete Asante, who brought this doctoral program into existence. This close examination reveals that Asante’s contributions to African American Studies have been both substantial and institutional, and by all accounts, quite significant. Although occurring simultaneously, these substantial and institutional contributions will be presented separately for the sake of conceptual clarity