Dr. Matthew Powell has taught for over 25 years in high school and higher education. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of History at Diablo Valley College (DVC). He teaches U.S. History, African American History, Black Studies, and has also taught Latin American History.
Dr. Powell holds bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and Social Science and a secondary teaching credential from California State University, Chico. He earned his master's degree in History from the University of New Mexico. He earned his doctorate at the University of California, Davis. He studied West African history and French language at the Universite de Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal, West Africa, and Cuban history and Spanish at the Universidad de la Habana in Habana, Cuba. He maintains proficiency in speaking and reading Spanish. He has traveled extensively and conducted research and formal studies in Western Europe and Latin America.
Dr. Powell is an Umoja Community founder. He conceived of and hosted the founding conference in 2006. Since then, he has served on either the Statewide Board or Executive Committee of the Umoja Community, a learning community committed to the academic success, personal growth and self-actualization of African American and other students.
Dr. Powell’s work with students and colleagues is informed by his yoga and martial arts practice, both of which he has practiced consistently for over twenty-five years. His martial foundation is in Jeet Kune Do, Boxing, and Escrima. He has earned black belts in Aikido, in Enshin Itto Ryu Battojutsu (sword), and in Jojutsu (staff). He is a 5th degree black belt (Shihan) and Certified Instructor in Japanese Jujutsu.