A View from the East: Black Cultural Nationalism and Education in New York City

In 1969, The East, a cultural and educational center for people of
African ancestry, was founded by dedicated educators and progressive
activists who came of age during the era of the Black
Power movement. Although Brooklyn was the physical home of The
East organization, its influence emanated throughout New York
City and beyond, touching individuals and groups in the United
States, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.
A View from The East represents a second edition of the previously
published Truth Crushed to Earth Will Rise Again by providing
expanded archival research and a contextualizing of the organization
within the African American civil rights and black power movements.
At the heart of The East was Uhuru Sasa Shule, an independent
African-centered school whose curriculum and pedagogy
were rooted in Kawaida philosophy and concepts of education for
self-reliance. In addition, The East became a center for the arts.
On weekends, it served as a literary salon and hosted concerts by
black musicians. Many of the great jazz artists and poets performed
there, as it became a well-known and highly sought-after
venue. With fresh insight and great detail, Kwasi B. Konadu excavates
the legacy of The East, exploring the confluence of cultural
nationalism, education, economic self-sufficiency, and the arts during
the Black Power period. Drawing on extensive interviews and
primary research, Konadu vividly brings to life the people and
events that shaped this remarkable institution and outlines the rich
lessons it provides for future community building organizations.