Asa G. Hilliard III: A Champion of African-Centered Education
Asa Grant Hilliard III (1933–2007), also known as Nana Baffour Amankwatia II, was an African American educator, psychologist, and historian who dedicated his life to promoting African-centered education and the study of ancient African civilizations. Born in Texas, Hilliard came from a family of educators; his father and grandfather were both high school principals. He earned his doctorate in educational psychology and went on to become a leading figure in the fields of urban education and African history. Hilliard served as the Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Urban Education at Georgia State University and was the former dean of the School of Education at San Francisco State University.
Hilliard was a pioneer in advocating for Afrocentric curricula in schools. In 1981, he introduced the concept of “Baseline Essays” to the Portland, Oregon school district, which led to the creation of the African-American Baseline Essays. These essays, authored by six scholars, highlighted the contributions of African and African American cultures to world history and science. Adopted by the district in 1989, the essays became a model for integrating African-centered content into school curricula, aiming to foster cultural pride and academic excellence among Black students.
A prolific author, Hilliard wrote over a thousand publications on topics ranging from educational policy and teaching strategies to African history and culture. His works, such as The Maroon Within Us and SBA: The Reawakening of the African Mind, emphasized the importance of African-centered education in nurturing the intellectual and cultural strengths of Black children. Hilliard argued that all children were capable of excellence when provided with high expectations, well-trained teachers, and curricula that reflected their heritage. He was a vocal critic of standardized testing, which he believed perpetuated inequities and failed to measure true potential.
Hilliard’s scholarship extended beyond education to the study of ancient African civilizations, particularly ancient Egypt. He challenged Eurocentric narratives by highlighting the African roots of scientific and cultural achievements. His work often sparked controversy but also inspired a renewed interest in African history and its contributions to global civilization. Hilliard was a founding member of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations and served as its vice president, further solidifying his role as a leading advocate for African-centered scholarship.
Throughout his career, Hilliard received numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Career Contribution Award from the American Educational Research Association and honorary doctorates from DePaul University and Wheelock College. He was also a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and served on the boards of several educational organizations. Hilliard’s commitment to education and cultural empowerment was deeply personal; he believed that understanding and affirming African heritage were essential to the psychological and social well-being of Black communities.
Hilliard’s legacy is also reflected in his family life. He was married to Patsy Jo Hilliard, the first African American and female mayor of East Point, Georgia, and together they raised four children. Hilliard’s dedication to education and community empowerment was a family value, passed down through generations. His work continues to inspire educators, scholars, and activists committed to equity and cultural affirmation in education.
Asa G. Hilliard III passed away in 2007 while traveling in Egypt, a country whose ancient history he deeply admired. His contributions to education, African-centered scholarship, and the empowerment of Black communities remain foundational. Hilliard’s vision of a world where all children, particularly those of African descent, are educated in ways that honor their heritage and potential, continues to guide efforts toward educational equity and cultural pride.
Books Written by Dr. Asa Hilliard
- What Is Quality Child Care? National Association for the Education of Young Children, (With Bettye M. Caldwell) 1985.
- The Teachings of Ptahhotep: The Oldest Book in the World, (Editor, with Larry Williams and Nia Hilliard Damali) Blackwood Press, 1987.
- Fifty Plus Essential References on the History of African People, Black Classic Press, 1993.
- The Maroon Within Us: Selected Essays on African American Community Socialization, Black Classic Press, 1995.
- (Editor) Testing African American Students, Third World Press, 1995.
- SBA: The Reawakening of the African Mind, rev. ed., Makare Publishing, 1998.
- African Power: Affirming African Indigenous Socialization in the Face of the Cultural Wars, Makare Publishing, 2002.
- True of Voice: The Poetry of Listervelt Middleton, (Editor, with Nefertari Patricia Hilliard-Nunn), Makare Publishing, 2003.
- Young, Gifted, and Black: Promoting High Achievement Among African American Students, (With Theresa Perry and Claude Steele), Beacon Press, 2003.
- The Intellectual Strengths of Black Children and Adolescents: A Challenge to Pseudo Science, Institute of Afrikan Research, 1974.
- From Ancient Africa to African-Americans Today, Portland Public Schools, (With others) 1983.
- Saving the African American Child, National Alliance of Black School Educators, (Editor, with Barbara Sizemore), 1984.
SBA: The Reawakening of the African Mind
