Celebrated Author and Filmmaker MK Asante Inspires Campus Community During Keynote Event

Faculty, staff, students, and administrators came together on Friday, February 28, for an extraordinary event featuring MK Asante, a best-selling author, award-winning filmmaker, recording artist, and distinguished professor. The event served as a unique opportunity for the entire campus community to engage with one of America’s most dynamic and inspiring voices.

The day’s events began with a special session for UMOJA students, where Asante shared personal insights, answered questions, and encouraged students to embrace the power of storytelling to shape their own futures. This was followed by a keynote address open to the entire campus, where Asante captivated the audience with his remarkable life story, creative journey, and reflections on resilience, identity, and creativity. The event concluded with a lively Q&A session and a book signing for his critically acclaimed memoir, Nephew: A Memoir in 4-Part Harmony.

This powerful keynote served as the grand finale to the campus’ Black History Month celebration, capping off a month filled with educational programs, cultural events, and opportunities to honor Black excellence, history, and achievement. Asante’s words reinforced the importance of amplifying diverse voices, preserving cultural stories, and fostering spaces where students from all backgrounds feel seen and empowered.

MK Asante’s impressive body of work spans five books, including the bestselling Buck: A Memoir, praised by Maya Angelou as “a story of surviving and thriving with passion, compassion, wit, and style.” His latest book, Nephew, has already earned the 2024 Earphones Award from AudioFile Magazine and the 2024 Outstanding Audiobook Narration Award from the American Library Association. The Los Angeles Times calls Asante “one of America’s best storytellers,” a sentiment that was fully realized during his visit as he wove together personal anecdotes, cultural commentary, and words of wisdom for students navigating their own journeys.

The event was not only an incredible learning experience but also a celebration of storytelling as a tool for empowerment. It brought together faculty, staff, management, and students, fostering meaningful dialogue, community building, and inspiration across campus.

This collaborative event highlighted the university’s ongoing commitment to providing students with access to thought-provoking speakers who reflect diverse experiences, voices, and perspectives.

For more information about MK Asante and his work, visit www.mkasante.com.