Bio

RUNOKO RASHIDI

Runoko Rashidi is an anthropologist and historian with a major focus on what he calls the Global African Presence–that is, Africans outside of Africa before and after enslavement.  He is the author or editor of twenty-two books, the most recent of which are My Global Journeys in Search of the African PresenceAssata-Garvey and Me: A Global African Journey for Children in 2017 and The Black Image in Antiquity in 2019.  His other works include Black Star: The African Presence in Early Europe, published by Books of Africa in London in November 2011 and African Star over Asia: The Black Presence in the East, published by Books of Africa in London in November 2012 and revised and reprinted in April 2013, Uncovering the African Past: The Ivan Van Sertima Papers, published by Books of Africa in 2015.  His other works include the African Presence in Early Asia, co-edited by Dr. Ivan Van Sertima.  Four of Runoko’s works have been published in French. 

As a traveler and researcher Dr. Rashidi has visited 124 countries.  As a lecturer and presenter, he has spoken in sixty-seven countries.

Runoko has worked with and under some of the most distinguished scholars of the past half-century, including Ivan Van Sertima, John Henrik Clarke, Asa G. Hilliard, Edward Scobie, John G. Jackson, Jan Carew and Yosef ben-Jochannan.

In October 1987 Rashidi inaugurated the First All-India Dalit Writer’s Conference in Hyderabad, India.

In 1999 he was the major keynote speaker at the International Reunion of the African Family in Latin America in Barlovento, Venezuela.

In 2005 Rashidi was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree, his first, by the Amen-Ra Theological Seminary in Los Angeles.

In August 2010 he was first keynote speaker at the First Global Black Nationalities Conference in Osogbo, Nigeria.

In December 2010 he was President and first speaker at the Diaspora Forum at the FESMAN Conference in Dakar, Senegal.

In 2018 he was named Traveling Ambassador to the Universal Negro Improvement Association & African Communities League RC 2020.

In 2020 he was named to the Curatorial and Academic boards of the Pan-African Heritage Museum.

He is currently doing major research on the African presence in the museums of the world.

As a tour leader he has taken groups to India, Australia, Fiji, Turkey, Jordan, Brazil, Egypt, Ghana, Togo, Benin, France, Belgium, England, Cote d’Ivoire, Namibia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Peru, Cuba, Luxembourg, Germany, Cameroon, the Netherlands, Spain, Morocco, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.

Runoko Rashidi’s major mission in life is the uplift of African people, those at home and those abroad.

For more information write to Runoko@hotmail.com or call (323) 803-8663.

His web site is www.drrunoko.com

 

~Updated 12/2020

20 Comments

  1. I like this site. Although, you shared more info on your 1st website–it had a lot of information.

  2. Hello,

    Will the Text books be on line. What happens when I travel and dont have ready access to computer? Can I go at my own pace? Are there such things as exams?

    Thanks,
    Ric

  3. Ibo and Ife Changa have traveled with Brother Dr. Ronoko Rashidi—The African-Centered Master Teacher and International Eminent Black Scholar’s—African Global African Presence Tours to Olmec Mexico (July 8 – 17, 2015), Southeast Asia (January 8 – 22, 2016) – and the upcoming Afro-Cuba (December 2 – 12, 2016). All of the Tours are Special, Sacred, Spiritual and Cultural Traveling Experience of a Lifetime. Black Folks you must travel with Brother Dr. Ronoko Rashidi at least once in your Lifetime!

  4. Where can I buy a copy of your book, “African Presence in Early Africa,” without paying an absurd price? Please let me know, brother, as I look forward to reading and sharing it with those who are unaware.

    • Greetings NI. The book “African Presence in Early Africa” is no longer in distribution. Dr. Runoko recommends one of his books “African Star Over Asia” which can be purchased in the “Store” under “Books” on this site. Thank you for your inquiry and willingness to share this information.

  5. I would like to say thank you. I listened this evening to your discussion on the Carl Nelson show. I was very happy when you answered the question about who and where did white people come from. I have always believed they were a part of us.

  6. Wassup good Brother?
    As I mentioned on my website “Dr. Runoko Rashidi is another of the infinite multi-genii (Mhotep the model) that continues to produce and share information at a breathtaking pace.” I’d like to know if you are okay with the logo from your home page and that comment as a link from mine to yours as a resource. I’m cool with any other suggestions you have for the logo.
    Again, congratulations on your success, the ancestors are very pleased!
    Ase
    kamau mposi
    las vegas

  7. Dr. Rashidi I saw your lecture where you were talking about the cost of sending books to Africa. You can can speak to an ambassador of that country in D.C. and they can ship those books for you at no cost to you.

  8. I’m very interested in sending books to Africa .how do I contact an ambassador in Washington DC..thank you in advance if you can help with my request for information

    • Greetings James Bryant. This is the website administrator. Sorry but we are unable to assist you on how to contact an ambassador in Washington, D.C.

  9. Wonderful Pan African historical and decolonization work, Brother Rashidi….the African blood flows deep in all of our veins from Africa through Asia and the Pacific, in the ancient Americas, Europe, everywhere…..Africa/Black is indeed beautiful….thank you for inculcating these values of beauty in and for Black children and children of color and women of color around Mother Earth….Decolonization of the Eurocentric distortion of the world is ongoing….Power to the People!

  10. Dr. Runoko Rashidi, Asa Hilliard, Transitioned in Egypt…There are NO
    COINCIDENCES. Our Great Ancestors. ASE’ , HOTEP..PEACE,
    LOVE & BLESSINGS

  11. Please continue with truthful information!!! Awesome to learn something new about Kemet, Kush, and Dogon village. Very interested in sirus a b and c. Enjoying true history. Maybe I will visit soon. I plan on buying Dogon doors at the next African Festival.

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