Honoring Professor William Leo Hansberry (1894-1965): An Intellectual Libation For The Architect Of America’s African Studies Department

“I open this book on the Life and Works of Professor William Leo Hansberry by honoring this Master Teacher, a Jegna (an African term for a Master Teacher). Many of today’s African studies programs are based directly and/or indirectly on Professor Hansberry’s lifetime dedication to his African studies program at Howard University(1923-1959). The multi-faceted life of Dr. Hansberry demonstrates the trials, tribulations and triumphs of an architect of America’s future Black Studies Departments. His work demonstrates that the missing pages of World History and Culture is African History and Culture. It is tradition that when an African person is going to embark on a trip, presentation, career, job or even a meal, they pay respect for those ancestors that came before him/her in the form of pouring “Libation.” Libation is a ritual where water is poured on the earth as the name of the Ancestor is called out. It is appropriate that I pay tribute to Professor William Leo Hansberry in this form of an “Intellectual Libation.” Libation fulfills the African proverb that states, “I am because you were...since you were, therefore I am.” “Honoring Professor William Leo Hansberry by Kaba Hiawatha Kamene is a true historical libation of Black American history! This is yet another gem of the wisdom and knowledge we now know about and get to celebrate as a part of our history!” -- Philippe SHOCK Matthews (Host: The Philippe Matthews Show Live)Read more