 While studying in the United States during the Black Power movement, Chinweizu became influenced by the philosophy of the Black Arts Movement.He is commonly associated with Black orientalism and emerged as one of the leading figures in contemporary Nigerian journalism, writing a highly influential column in "The Guardian" of Lagos.Chinweizu was born in 1943 in the town of Eluoma, in Isuikwuato in the part of Eastern Region of Nigeria that is known today as Abia State.