John Henrik Clarke The Harbinger of African Studies

John Henrik Clarke (1915-1998)  was a scholar, writer, educator, and historian. He was a pioneer of Africana studies. During his youth he produced poetry and essays. As a young man he was exposed to the cultural and artistic movement known as the Harlem Renaissance, which influenced his writing. Eventually, he turned his attention toward history. John Henrik Clarke was the author of numerous books which include Christopher Columbus and the Afrikan Holocaust, African People in World History, and Malcolm X Man and His Times. The problem with historiography in the Western Hemisphere was that Africa was removed from global history. John Henrik Clarke challenged this with his research and activism. John Henrik Clarke was the founder of the African Heritage Studies Association, which continues to conduct research and challenge the eurocentric narrative of history. John Henrik Clarke taught  and lectured at various universities and colleges. Dr. Clarke taught at Cornell University and  Hunter College ( of the City University of New York) for the duration of his career. His contributions are pivotal. Often people forget that the writers of history are just as important as the individuals in the narrative.