Biography
Early Life
Ifalade Ta’Shia Asanti was the first African American columnist for the Lesbian News and has written or published over 1,000 articles, poems, and short stories throughout her journalism career.
Asanti wears many hats and has several titles. These titles include spiritual teacher, life coach, literacy consultant, reality TV star, and the author of seven published books.
Ifalade Ta’Shia Asanti was born in Chicago, Illinois. However, she spent most of her life in the city of Los Angeles. She lived there with her mother, Florence (teacher), and her father Herschel (Doctor and Christian minister).
At an early age, she witnessed poverty and social struggles. Those issues became the origin of her activism.
As a young adult, Asanti began to identify as a same-gender loving, two-spirit woman.
Experiencing homophobia personally, she devoted herself to confronting myths associated with her identity. She uses her experience to educate her family, loved ones, and her community.
Literary Achievements
Asanti majored in both journalism and creative writing while attending the University of California at Los Angeles.
She collaborated with other distinguished writers after receiving the Seed Scholarship from the International Black Writers and Artists organization.
In 2004, she accepted a role in a reality TV show “Mad, Mad House.” She was the first priestess to appear on a primetime TV show.
In 2011, she returned to UCLA through a full scholarship from the Lambda Literary Association. While there, she attended the Summer Writers Program.
Asanti was named a distinguished fellow of The Lambda Literary Association.
In 2014, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in social justice from the Meantime Men organization.
Through multiple documentaries and lectures worldwide, Asanti has advocated for women’s and human rights, social justice issues, religion, and spirituality.
Community Leadership
Asanti organized a community exchange between forty non-profit organizations across Southern California to continue the conversation surrounding the influence of race and racism socially and economically in America.
To cultivate community engagement, media activism, and HIV/AIDS awareness, she produced the ATBLA/Los Angeles Black Pride Conference featuring several influential speakers.
The World Pride & Power Conference was also founded and produced by Asanti.
Religious Activism
Ifalade Ta’Shia Asanti is a Yoruba/Ifa priestess.
Ifa is a West African spiritual tradition that has its origins in the Yoruba of Nigeria.
Asanti founded a Yoruba/Ifa temple Ile Ori Ogbe Egun in Denver, Colorado.
In 2003, she and her temple members organized an international conference on Ifa, Voudoun, Curandera, Candomble, and Lukumi spiritualities.
Asanti also founded the Institute for Transformative Education & Collective Healing. Its membership spans throughout North America and Europe.
The religious activism of practicing Ifa and developing a temple for others who share that spiritual tradition demonstrates the diverse and inclusive changes that are taking place in America.
Ifalade Ta’Shia Asanti channels her passion for writing to focus on inspiring, educating, and entertaining her readers.
In an interview, Asanti stated “That is not just about how I love, who I love, but how I love and the fact that I love. That’s what’s really important is that I love.”
Asanti hopes that her work will aid in bringing an end to racism. She continues to help women by promoting healthier healing practices.
