Randall Robinson, an internationally respected social justice advocate and author,
is also a professor of law at Penn State University. In 1979, he established TransAfrica,
the mandate of which is to promote enlightened, progressive U.S. policies towards
Africa and the Caribbean. While president of that organization, he frequently testified
before the House and Senate on U.S. policies toward Africa and the Caribbean.
He also led the "Free South Africa Movement" - the nation-wide campaign to end apartheid in South Africa. His 1994 campaign to end military rule in Haiti included a 27-day hunger strike that caused the United States government to lead the successful multinational operation that, in 1994, returned to power Haiti's first democraticall elected - but violently overthrown - government.
Through his writings, congressional testimony, television appearances and civil disobedience campaigns, Mr. Robinson was actively involved in efforts to expose the brutality of the Mengistu regime in Ethiopia and the corruption in Nigeria during that country's era of military dictatorships. He also fought to thwart U.S. attempts to end the Caribbean's access to the European banana market.
Mr. Robinson resigned from TransAfrica in 2001.
He is a best-selling author whose workds include "Defending the Spirit - Black Life in America," "The Debt - What America Owes to Blacks," "The Reckoning - What Blacks Owe to Each Other," "Quitiing America - The Departure of a Black Man from His Native Land," and "An Unbroken Agony - Haiti, from Revolution to the Kidnapping of a President." He is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Some 19 universities have bestowed honorary Ph.Ds upon him in recognition of the international impact of his social advocacy. He is the recipient of numerous awards. Among the institutions that have honored him are the United Nations, the Congressional Black Caucus, Harvard University, Essence Magazine, ABC-News Person of the Week, the Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violent Change, the NAACP and Ebony Magazine.
Mr. Robinson has shared his views and policy recommendations on "Nightlin," CNN, the "Today Show," C-Span, "The Tavis Smiley Show," "Charlie Rose," and other leading American television programs. He resides with his wife Hazel in St. Kitts where he continues to write.