Joseph Earl Harris (born July 2, 1929, North Carolina) is an eminent scholar of the history of Africa and the African diaspora. He is a pioneer in the study of the African diaspora to Asia, and championed the recognition of the African diaspora as a global phenomenon. Harris’ university studies were conducted at Howard University (B.A., 1952; M.A., 1956) and Northwestern University (Ph.D., 1965). Dr. Harris served as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. During his studies, Harris taught at Howard University, Morgan State College, and Loch Haven State College, and was a contract teacher in Guinea.
