Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan Has Joined The Ancestors
Dr. Yosef A.A. ben-Jochannan, better known as Dr. Ben joined the ancestors, passing the torch of Africana studies. His life’s work was rooted in dispelling the myths around African history.
Known as an intellectual leader of Harlem in the 20th century, Dr. Ben’s work in Africana history and religion has spread far beyond New York City. His teachings were a form of intellectual activism because of his deep love for black people.
He sponsored cohorts to Africa and took thousands of African-Americans to Kemet (Egypt) for hands on learning. He also founded the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations, whose mission is to rescue, reconstruct, and restore African history and culture in the world view.
His confrontation with history has been met with much love and criticism. He has been accused of being a revisionist, of falsifying his degrees, but Dr. Ben had no interest in proving himself to the credential systems created and enforced by miseducation. His preoccupation was with the unsung heroes, the ones that looked like him and the people he loved most.
Dr. Ben leaves behind a legacy of lectures, pamphlets, and over twenty published books. His extensive archives have been donated to the Nation of Islam.
Although we have lost a prominent figure, Dr. Ben has left enough work for all of us and our future children to find and continue the way.
DR. BEN
A MASTER TEACHER
AN HISTORIAN FOR THE AGES
RESURRECTING THE PYRAMIDS
OF OUR GREAT PAST
LET IT BE KNOWN
WE’VE NEVER BEEN SLAVES
WE’VE NEVER BEEN WITHOUT GOD
WE ARE THE GOD SEEDS
OF EMPIRES AND CIVILIZATIONS
THAT REIGNED LONG AGO
BEN TAUGHT US
HE PULLED THE COVERS OFF THE LIES
THAT HAD BEEN SERVED TO US
LIKE A HOT MEAL
HIS STRENGTH HIS VOICE HIS WISDOM
AND HIS LOVE
WILL BE PILLARS
FOR US TO BUILD A NEW WORLD
A SECOND COMING OF KEMET
HIS LIFE AND HIS PASSING
MUST BE THE FOUNDATION
WE BUILD OUR WORLD ON
—ABIODUN 3-24-15
Please find below the details surrounding Dr. Ben’s Funeral. If you would like to send to “ROUTES” testimonials about Dr. Ben, we will gladly post them for this generation and posterity. Send them to: ronn@ROUTES-mag.com or post them in the “Leave A Reply” box below.
The Wake & Viewing: Thursday
April 9th, 2015, 4pm—8pm
” Dr. Ben” will lie in State
at Abyssinian Baptist Church
132 W 138th St. (Bet. Adam Clayton Powell Blvd and Malcolm X Blvd)
New York, NY
(212) 862-7474
Funeral Service: Friday, April 10, 2015 at 9:30am-12:30pm
Abyssinian Baptist Church
Burial: Friday, April 10th, 2015
at Ferncliff Cemetery
280 Secor Rd, Ardsley, NY 10530
Repast: Friday, April 10, 2015, 2:00 pm
Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre,
2031 Fifth Avenue (between 125th & 126th Sts.)
Harlem, New York
Cards and donations should be sent to:
Ms. Ruth Johannes (Daughter of “Dr. Ben”)
955 Walton Avenue – Suite 2G – Bronx, N.Y. 10452
Thanks to LaZette McCants for her resourcefulness.
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