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Author // Filmmaker // Professor

M.K. Asante, Jr., 26, is a college professor and award-winning author/filmmaker who the Philadelphia Inquirer calls, "a rare, remarkable talent that brings to mind the great artists of the Harlem Renaissance."

The author of three celebrated books, Asante's latest book, It's Bigger Than Hip Hop, was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "An empowering book that moves you to action and to question status quo America." His second book, Beautiful. And Ugly Too, prompted Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Charles Fuller to call Asante "One of the most important writers of his generation." Asante's first book, Like Water Running Off My Back, won the Academy of American Poets Jean Corrie Prize for its title piece.

An internationally-acclaimed filmmaker, Asante wrote, directed and produced The Black Candle, a film narrated by renowned poet and icon Dr. Maya Angelou.

Asante also wrote and produced the film 500 Years Later; winner of Best Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival; Best Documentary at the Bridgetown Film Festival; Best Film at the Black Berlin Film Festival; Best International Documentary at the Harlem International Film Festival; and the Breaking the Chains award from the United Nations.

Asante studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, earned a BA from Lafayette College, and an MFA from UCLA's School of Film and Television.

Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Philadelphia, Asante has shared his work in Africa, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States. In addition, he has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs including the CBS Early Show, NPR, Tom Joyner Morning Show and Chuck D's On The Real.

Asante teaches creative writing and film in the Department of English and Language Arts at Morgan State University.

http://www.mkasante.com