How can you teach your children their history if you don’t know it yourself? Attend a no cost Afrikan World Civilizations Class, Friday, February 22 from 7-9 p.m. in Leimert Park at Kaos Studios, located at 4343 Leimert Boulevard in Los Angeles. For registration information, visit Dr. Kwaku's website at: www.drkwaku.com or call (213) 368-4976.
"Come to the first class, which is free, and you will experience an Afrikan world multi-media historical, cultural experience unlike anything you will ever experience in any university."
- Dr. Kwaku Person-Lynn
Greetings, All!In just a few weeks, we will begin our 10th session of
Afrikan World Civilizations Class in Leimert Park at Ben Caldwell's Kaos Studios. This year, you can pay with a credit card online!
Many things have been learned, as we begin our fifth year. One pleasant surprise, many individuals want to take the class more than once, some more than two or three times. The class is in three parts, with each part consisting of 11 weeks. This has resulted in a continual research effort to bring in new, innovative material that goes beyond the norm. Although we will always continue with the classic information that is essential, we will always integrate that with fresh and timely lessons. That way, returning individuals will not be bombarded with the same lessons. It is always great to see how new relationships develop and the social bonding expands over time.
Those attending the class have ranged in age from 18 to 93 years. This allows for very spirited discussions after each lesson. Some have traveled the world over a few times, while others are just looking at the world for the first time with new eyes. Leimert Park is a perfect backdrop with its soulful, creative vibe and the warm, colorful feeling of Ben Caldwell's Kaos Network.
Here are the best ways to learn more about this semester:
1.
Listen to KJLH's
L.A. Speaks Out, Saturday at 8 a.m. when Jacquie Stephens and I explore history and how it effects our daily lives.
2. Visit
www.Dr. Kwaku.com for:
3. Get the flyer from
Eso Won Books4. Come to the first class and we will tell you all about it.
The first class is no charge! Feb. 22, 2008. (See address details above.) The session is only $100 for 11 weeks or you may pay per Friday night class $15 each.
For our friends in the media: (Your support is appreciated. Here is our news release):The Spring 2008 Session of Dr. Kwaku Person Lynn’s Afrikan World Civilizations Class begins Friday, February 22 in
Leimert Park at Ben Caldwell’s Kaos Studios from 7-9 p.m. on Fridays. The free introductory class slated for Feb. 22 is open to the public.
“Afrikan World Civilizations is an independent class with no restrictions on curricula materials and no expensive textbooks,” said Dr. Person-Lynn, the instructor, who is an experienced 
university educator. For over 30 years he has specialized in Afrikan world history and culture.
The 11-week class is an innovative multi-media design which incorporates lectures, PowerPoint, DVDs, CDs, spirited discussions and no homework. “To be able to see what is taught and then follow-up with discussion is ultra important,” says Dr. Kwaku. “One of the unexpected benefits of the class is like-minded people coming together, bonding and developing new friendships.” Although no books are required, a very concise and a personally selected book list will be supplied.
“New information is introduced on a consistent basis, even before much of it is included in textbooks or is exposed to the general public,” said Dr. Kwaku, who develops some of the material himself.
“Our community and many university students have been denied certain areas of history that should be standard. Since the onset of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Afrikan world history has virtually been distorted, omitted or eliminated from textbooks. Why? The fear is it corrects the often inaccurate Eurocentric view of the world, and would require a revision of world history texts and courses. That shift would empower Afrikans world wide.”
The classes are not sequential and provide an array of new information. The premise of the course is an accumulation of knowledge to inspire independent research and activism in the community. “Calls from the community have consistently pleaded for scholars to bring their knowledge to the community. That call has been answered,” said Dr. Kwaku.
Dr. Kwaku's Bio: Dr. Kwaku earned his PhD with a double major at UCLA in music and history. He has taught at Loyola Marymount University; Cal State Dominguez Hills and the former Compton College. Although he has guest lectured nationally at colleges and universities, he decided years ago to bring his lessons to those who needed to hear them most: American born Afrikans. In the 1960s, he began that quest by teaching at the Malcolm X Center, which he founded. He is perhaps best remembered for his specials on public radio stations: the weekly Spirit Flight, the annual Afrikan Mental Liberation Weekend (a 30 hour radio marathon) and specials on Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. On KACE FM he hosted over 200 episodes of Candid Moments during “Sunday Morning Live.”
He launched Afrikan World Civilizations in 2003, and followed that with instituting Black History 4 Young People in 2004 and Afrikan Mental Liberation Films, first in Compton College in 2003 and now as part of the San Diego Black Film Festival since 2006. He has authored numerous articles, including a weekly column in Our Weekly, two Books (First Word and On My Journey Now—Dr. John Henrik Clarke). He maintains a blog at www.drkwaku.blogspot.com.
Ben Caldwell's Kaos Studios are located at 4343 Leimert Boulevard, on the corner of Leimert Blvd. and 43rd Place, in Los Angeles. For detailed registration information, visit Dr. Kwaku's website at: www.drkwaku.com or call (213) 368-4976.
(213) 368-4976.
