Africentrism is a culturally grounded philosophical perspective that reflects the intellectual traditions of both African and African American culture. Africentrism is understood as an attempt to reclaim a sense of identity, community, and power in the face of Eurocentric cultural hegemony. Four orientations to Africentrism are observed: the Classical African Civilization Orientation, the Cultural Continuity Orientation, the Nationalist Orientation, and the Sociocultural and Empowerment Orientation. Although each of these orientations to Africentrism specify somewhat different features of history and culture, some common strands and assumptions tie these orientations together: (1) mental enslavement (cultural hegemony) is the most insidious and contemptuous form of domination; (2) African and African American culture is central to an analysis of African American experience and potential for liberation; (3) self-definition and the power to define the elements and terms of one's social reality is fundamental to any interpretation of culture or social relations; (4) a commonality of cultural experience crosses time and location; and (5) race is the primary unit of analysis that subsumes other variables such as gender or class. From an Africentric perspective, the purpose of education for African American adults should be self-definition, responsibility, a sense of biculturality, critical thought, and freedom. (Contains 34 references) (KC)