My EDUCATION IDOL, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu recently made his transition on April 21. I've known this for several days but I decided not to post anything about it until someone from his family made a statement which they now have.
I cannot overstate how much of this brother's work influenced mine. For those of you who know my books, you know that I keep them thin. I learned this from Jawanza back in the 80's and it worked for me. Since 1986, I knew I wanted to be an education speaker / consultant and during the 80's and early 90's while I was developing as a man and an educator, Jawanza was the only Black man that I saw in that space. Through him, I saw the future me.
I met Jawanza in around 2009. I was at the National Alliance of Black School Educators Conference. I was walking down the hall and we were about to pass one another. As we were about to pass one another, I said to him, "Dr. Kunjufu, I just want to shake your hand." As we shook hands, he said, "What's your name?" I said "Baruti Kafele." He dropped his bag on the floor and yelled, "Baruti, I have all of your books and I've followed your work for years!" He proceeded to give me a bear hug in that crowded hallway. I don't have to tell you all how that made me feel. You already know. Do know that I tried desperately to get him on my AP & New Principals Academy over the past several years but he REALLY didn't like to speak virtually. I vowed to myself recently that I would get him on this year, but it obviously won't happen now. I will be doing a tribute to him next Saturday morning on the Academy during my monologue.
Lastly, his writings on educating Black youth is unmatched. He was a prolific writer with approximately 50 books he authored on a variety of topics but his primary focus was Black youth with a particular focus on Black boys. Again, I cannot overstate how much of Jawanza influenced who and what I became as a speaker / consultant. It's a lot. The icing on the cake is the attached picture. It was taken in 2019. We were featured speakers at an education conference in North Carolina. When I found out, I was like, "WOW....Jawanza and I featured speakers at the same conference. Truly amazing."
To Dr. Kunjufu's family, my condolences to you all. We've lost a giant but his work will endure forever.
