Babalawo
A.S. Umar Sharif, MA is a well known and respected Educator,
Trainer, and Consultant Sociologist. Four time recipient of Who’s
Who Among American Teachers recognition, Baba Sharif is one of the
2% of American teachers who have received multiple nominations for recognition
by his students and peers.
Baba Sharif joined the faculty of Maricopa County Community College
District in 1991, and is also a veteran counselor, lecturer, workshop
facilitator, and consultant. He is a member of the Association of Black
Sociologists, the Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) Center for
International Studies Advisory Council, and the PVCC International Education
Committee. He is also the Coordinator of the Afro-Asian Studies Component
of the PVCC Complementary Health Care Program.
Baba Sharif is an Alumnus of the East-West Center and University of
Hawaii Asian Studies Development Program, has served as a Professional
Associate on their Asian Studies Summer Institute Staff, and has traveled
and studied in China, Southeast Asia, and West Africa. He has served
as a member of several advisory, review, and governing boards, and has
provided consultant and keynote services for federal, state, county,
and city agencies, high schools, colleges, and universities, major corporations,
and a wide range of community based organizations.
Baba Sharif is founder and Executive Director of the non-profit National
Teacher Training Institute, Inc. and Wu-Te
Performance Troupes, a Leadership Development Program for at-risk and
disadvantaged youth. He is a sought after motivational speaker and has
appeared on several radio and television programs and has been featured
in a number of newspaper articles. Sharif is also a veteran martial
artist with over three decades of training.
Baba Sharif was initiated into the House of Obatala in Ile-Ife, Nigeria in 2001 at the Sacred Temple of Obatala by the Elders of that House. His return to Nigeria and further initiation into the Awo Ifa is anxiously awaited by the Elder Babalawos and members of the Isoro International Council of Chiefs. Baba Sharif is Head Priest of Ile Awo Orisa, a protege of Chief Adeyela Adelekan, a facilitator of the spiritual interests of the Ifa Tradition, and a willing servant of the global interests of humanity.
During the last quarter of 2011 Baba Umar was initiated as the Oluranse Emese, the Voice, Vision, and Authority of ways and practices of our tradition and culture as well as being the source of sacrosanct and factual dissemination of information on the knowledge and wisdom of Orisas to the New World. He is now also officially a member of the Isoro Traditional Council of Chiefs and a Babalawo.
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