About Dr. George Brandon
Dr. George Brandon is a prominent anthropologist, musician, and scholar of African and African-diasporic religions. He is widely recognized for his work on the historical and cultural evolution of Yorùbá religious traditions in the Americas, notably in his influential work, "Santeria from Africa to the New World: The Dead Sell Memories" (1993).
As Professor Emeritus at the CUNY Medical School, he taught medical anthropology and sociomedical sciences for 25 years, focusing on African-Atlantic religions as comprehensive healing systems and worldviews.
Role in the Program Ecosystem
Curriculum Authenticator
He provides scholarly oversight to ensure the historical and structural authenticity of the Yorùbá language and spiritual programs.
Cultural Elder & Scholar
His work bridges the gap between rigorous anthropology and the lived practice of Yorùbá spirituality for diaspora learners.
Integrative Sound Practitioner
Through the Blue Unity Orchestra, he explores the intersection of Yorùbá chant, jazz, and Afro-pop as cultural expression.
Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Brandon’s research centers on how African cultural memory is produced and reproduced in the diaspora. His contributions to the Encyclopædia Britannica and the Encyclopedia of African Religion serve as authoritative references for students and researchers worldwide.