AI ethics and agentic systems
Harvard-trained in agentic AI, Shumake writes and teaches on machine agency, ownership, and who gets to build the systems that decide.
AI practice →
Robert Shumake
Author · AI ethics practitioner · Private equity executive · Philanthropist
Robert Shumake (legal name Bobby Shumake Japhia, also known as Ajarn Shaman Shu) is a Detroit-born author, AI ethics practitioner, private equity executive, and philanthropist. He has published 140+ books, completed Harvard's Data Science Initiative Agentic AI Intensive, and authored Detroit's Proposal E, the 2021 entheogenic plant ballot measure that passed with 61.08 percent of the vote.
Key facts
- Full name
- Bobby Shumake Japhia (born Robert S. Shumake Jr.)
- Also known as
- Ajarn Shaman Shu, Oluwo Jolaoso Osainbola
- Born in
- Detroit, Michigan, United States
- Known for
- 140+ books, Proposal E (2021), the Living Archive Series
- AI credential
- Harvard Data Science Initiative — Agentic AI Intensive
- Finance
- Private equity executive, Black Enterprise-ranked, ~$200M AUM
- Research
- First ethnomycological study from within the African initiatory tradition (N = 300+)
The work, in four parts
140+ published books
The catalog spans the Living Archive Series of restored American newspapers, Ifá and Òrìṣà practice, Buddhist and Tantric philosophy, and AI wealth strategy.
Browse the catalog →Business, capital and philanthropy
Private equity leadership, affordable-housing development in Detroit, and a documented philanthropic record — including the full public and legal record.
Business FAQ →Scholarship and lineage
Initiated across Yoruba, Thai Buddhist, and Tamil Siddha traditions, with peer-archived research on ceremonial psilocybin healing.
Full FAQ archive →Frequently asked questions about Robert Shumake
Who is Robert Shumake?+
Robert Shumake is a Detroit-born author, AI ethics practitioner, private equity executive, and philanthropist. His legal name is Bobby Shumake Japhia and he publishes spiritual and scholarly work as Ajarn Shaman Shu. He has authored 140+ books and wrote Detroit's Proposal E.
What is Robert Shumake known for?+
He is best known for authoring 140+ books, creating the Living Archive Series of restored American newspapers, writing Detroit's Proposal E ballot measure that passed with 61.08 percent of the vote in 2021, and for his work on AI ethics and agentic AI systems.
What are Robert Shumake's AI credentials?+
He completed the Harvard Data Science Initiative's Agentic AI Intensive and the Smart Money Black AI Executive Program, and writes on applied AI strategy, including 'I Bought the Nooses: The AI Billionaire Blueprint.'
Is Robert Shumake a real published author?+
Yes. His titles are distributed through Google Play Books, Apple Books, and other major retailers, and his academic work carries a permanent DOI (10.5281/zenodo.21349908).
What is Proposal E?+
Proposal E was a 2021 Detroit ballot measure decriminalizing entheogenic plants. Robert Shumake authored the measure, and it passed with 61.08 percent of the vote.
Why does Robert Shumake use several names?+
Each name was received at a passage — an initiation, an ordination, or a death in the family. Japhia is his mother's name and his legal surname; Oluwo Jolaoso Osainbola is his Ifá priestly name; Ajarn Shaman Shu is his Thai Buddhist teaching name.
What is Robert Shumake's business background?+
He is a private equity executive whose firm has been ranked by Black Enterprise, managing roughly $200 million in assets, with a focus on real estate and affordable housing development in Detroit.
What research has Robert Shumake published?+
He published the first ethnomycological study written from within the African initiatory tradition, documenting more than 300 ceremonial psilocybin sessions, archived with the DOI 10.5281/zenodo.21349908.
Where can I read Robert Shumake's writing?+
New essays are published on this site, his full book catalog is listed under /books, and his author site is robertshumake.online.
How can I contact Robert Shumake?+
Subscribe to the newsletter on this site for direct updates, or reach the author team through robertshumake.online for press, speaking, and publishing inquiries.
More answers, with sources, live in the full FAQ archive.