Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, a towering figure in Black education, empowerment, and advocacy, has died. He was best known for his decades-long commitment to addressing the systemic barriers that impact Black students and for challenging America to do better by its youth.

Throughout his prolific career, Kunjufu authored more than 30 influential books, including the seminal Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys, Restoring the Village, and Black Students: Middle Class Teachers. His works provided a searing analysis of the racial inequities embedded in the education system and offered concrete solutions to close achievement gaps, affirm Black identity, and build stronger communities.

“Our children don’t need charity, they need investment,” Kunjufu often emphasized, urging educators, parents, and policymakers alike to treat Black children’s success as a national priority rather than an afterthought.

In speeches, classrooms, and community forums across the country, Kunjufu was an unwavering voice for Black children—particularly Black boys—who have long been underserved by traditional educational models. He frequently warned of the dangers of neglecting Black youth, famously stating, “If we don’t intervene early, we will spend far more on remediation and incarceration than on education.”

Kunjufu also challenged cultural stereotypes and internalized racism head-on. In Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys, he wrote, “Black boys are not an endangered species; they are endangered by policies, practices, and attitudes that diminish their potential.”

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Beyond education, Kunjufu was a fierce advocate for community rebuilding and collective responsibility. “We must restore the village mentality,” he urged, arguing that “it takes more than parents and teachers — it takes the entire community — to raise a child to greatness.”

Through his publishing company, African American Images, he made it his mission to amplify voices and narratives too often marginalized by mainstream outlets. His books became mainstays in homes, churches, and grassroots organizations committed to the upliftment of Black communities.

At a time when conversations around educational equity, racial justice, and systemic reform remain at the forefront of national debate, Kunjufu’s teachings are more relevant than ever. His insistence on the critical need for Black excellence, self-determination, and cultural pride laid the groundwork for future generations of activists, educators, and scholars.

He leaves behind a legacy rooted in truth-telling, empowerment, and hope. As tributes pour in from across the nation, one thing is clear: Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu’s life was a testament to the power of belief in Black potential — and the urgency of nurturing it at every turn.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly announced.