Institute of African Centered Thought
Where identity and Purpose meet!
10th Annual Conference is in honor of Dr. James W. C. Pennington and a Tribute to Babatunde Olatunji and Akinsola Akiwowo
Babatunde Olatunji Drummers Pay Tribute!
Sikiru Adepoju, Grammy Award winner for World Music, is a master drummer, specifically the Talking Drum of Nigeria , Adepoju comes from a musical family from Eruwa in western Nigeria. He and his brothers Saminu and Lasisi were taught drumming very early by their father, Chief Ayanleke Adepoju, whose very name, Ayan, means "descended from drummers." While still in his teens, Sikiru toured with and recorded several albums with the Inter-Reformers Band, the band of one of the pioneers of Afro-beat, Nigerian Juju artist Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and Babatunde Olatunji
Sanga of the valley
Sanga of the Valley, spent 25 years with Babatunde Olatunji and became Baba's student and one of his lead djembe players. He worked with artists such as Carlos Santana, Nina Simone, The Grateful Dead, the Neville Brothers, and Stanley Jordan.
Val Serrant
Val Serrant, a Trinidad-Tobago native, now resides in California and is a founding member of Oakland’s Afrika Heartbeat and Co-Producer with Grammy-Award Winner *Sikiru Adepoju, of their CD: IJINLE ILU {“Original Drumming”} …recorded in Ghana, West Afrika, and Alameda, California. Val currently teaches “From Drum To Steeldrum” in schools, especially throughout California & other States. Val's ongoing project, Keep Arts In Schools (KAISO)
Michael Babatunde Olatunji
Nigerian Master drummer Michael Babatunde Olatunji (1927–2003), Morehouse Alum, a pioneer who reintroduced the African drum, is the master of Ngoma, a global icon must be recognized for his contributions to World music who. Baba Olatunji's Drums of Passion album (1959) paved the way not only for other releases of African music but in many ways the platform to recognize Africa and create an entire world music category.
Dr. Akinsola Akiwowo
Brother to Baba Olatunji, Nigerian Scholar, Akinsola Akiwowo, Ph.D., (1922–2014). Morehouse Alum, Emeritus introduced the two Yoruba concepts asuwada eniyan and ifogbontayese (translated respectively as `human society' and `the science or art of remaking the world') were first made public to the Nigerian academic community with the publication of my inaugural lecture, `Ajobi and Ajogbe: Variations on the Theme of Association (Akiwowo, 1983). Apart from his considerable influence in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Ife, Professor Akiwowo is the founder and leader of the Alada Study Circle (ASC) of the same University of which Rowland Abiodun (Department of Fine Arts), Olufemi Morakinyo (Department of Mental Health). and the present writer (Department of Philosophy) are active foundation members. Emancipation of Thought was delivered on August 18 August 1988, at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. In his honor, Baba Olatunji recorded a song titled "Akiwowo" because his cousin was a trainman/conductor in Lagos.
Therapy Fund Foundation presents
Ashley McGirt-Adair, LICSW, specializing in Racial Trauma, is the founder and President of the WA Therapy Fund and is hosting its Conference at Green River College in Auburn, Washington, on July 21. See the link below.
Empowerment quote Gallery
IACT COURSES
Independent Study Certificate Programs
African Centered Ancestral Healing
African Centered Ancestral Healing
IACT offers specialized holistic training based on Africa Centered Thought to compliment general mental health treatment plans that encourage a natural sustainable framework for Black families.
African Centered Ancestral Healing
African Centered Ancestral Healing
African Centered Ancestral Healing
Ancestral Healing is a specialization program that is created to equip mental health professionals with approaches to help Black families and individuals
identify purpose based on their lineages and genetics through a holistic approach.
Standing on his Shoulders
African Centered Ancestral Healing
The Illumination Research Group (TIRG)
Dr. James W.C. Pennington, my gggrandfather, is the first known Black student to attend Yale University School of Divinity. He was an abolitionist, writer, comrade to the Underground Railroad and Amistad Case, and
an ordained minister.
He purchased our family's freedom,
and after the Civil War, he served congregations in Natchez, Mississippi; Portland, Maine; and Jacksonville,
Florida, where he died.
Orisade Awodola, IACT Founder
The Illumination Research Group (TIRG)
Join the Journey
The Illumination Research Group (TIRG)
TIRG is created to provide research that supports Africa Centered healing modalities in the fields of genetics and behavior for African American educators, mental health practitioners, undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in STEAM and Black Psychology.
Community Events-Workshops
Join the Journey
Join the Journey
The Institute of African-Centered Thought serves as a catalyst to empower its participants and learners through education, conferences, seminars, summits and debates.
Join the Journey
Join the Journey
Join the Journey
🌳🌳🌳
YOU are invited to partake in the African Centered Ancestral Healing Journey!
Contact us with any questions about
our programs, courses, events, or
any other inquiries.
AC Ancestral Healing Video Series
Become a Member Today!
🌳🌳🌳
"Color is not a human or a personal reality; it is a political reality,"
James Baldwin
"Mastery of Language affords remarkable Power," Frantz Fanon
About AFRICAN-CENTERED Ancestral Healing
The AC Ancestral Healing Video Series will provide holistic resources and discuss mental wellness and education at our roundtables based on Africa Centered Thought with individuals willing to share their experiences. If you want to share your story or have comments, please email us at our General Contact below. Thanks
About Us
Orisade I. Awodola
Jamilla Wasson Pehan
Orisade I. Awodola
Founder and President
Angela Davis
Jamilla Wasson Pehan
Orisade I. Awodola
Community Liaison
Charmaine Givens
Jamilla Wasson Pehan
Jamilla Wasson Pehan
Public Relations and Marketing
Jamilla Wasson Pehan
Jamilla Wasson Pehan
Jamilla Wasson Pehan
Events Coordinator