Dr. Omékongo Dibinga is the UPstander. His life’s mission is to
inspire all across the globe to take a stand when they witness an
injustice, no matter how small or large. He is a motivational
speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, rapper, and professor
of cross-cultural communication at American University.
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Dr. Omékongo Dibinga is the UPstander. His life’s mission is
to
inspire all across the globe to
take a stand when they witness an injustice, no matter how small or
large. He is a motivational speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show
host, rapper, and professor of cross-cultural communication at
American University. His Urban Music Award winning work has best
been described by Nikki Giovanni as “outstanding, exciting, and new
while being very old.” His book, From the Limbs of My Poetree was
described by Essence Magazine as “a remarkable and insightful
collection of exquisite poetry that touches sacred places within
your spirit.” He was one of 5 international recipients out of
750,000 to win the first ever “CNN iReport Spirit Award.” He has
received over 1,000,000 views on CNN.com.
Omékongo’s writings and performances have appeared in O
Magazine, as well as on TV and radio from CNN, BET, and the BBC to
NPR, Music Choice, and Voice of America in millions of homes in
over 150 countries. He has also written songs for major motion
pictures as well as organizations such as NASA and the Enough!
Project. He has spoken before the United Nations, partners with the
State Department to conduct youth leadership trainings overseas,
and speaks to leadership and youth student conferences across the
country. Omékongo’s music and writings have appeared alongside
artists such as Sheryl Crow, Angelina Jolie, Norah Jones, Damien
Rice, Angelique Kidjo, Don Cheadle, and Mos Def. He has shared the
stage with Wyclef Jean, OutKast, Sonia Sanchez, Dennis Brutus,
Emmanuelle Chriqui, The Last Poets, and NFL great Aaron Rodgers.
Internationally, he has shared his work in over 20 countries on 3
continents.
Omékongo has studied at Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Georgetown,
Morehouse, and The Fletcher School, where he earned his M.A. in Law
& Diplomacy. He earned his Ph.D. in International Education Policy
at The University of Maryland (UMD) where his dissertation centered
on the global hip-hop phenomenon and Jay-Z. At UMD, he also worked
with the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “Teaching Diverse Students
Initiative.” Across the country he has worked with school districts
on culturally relevant instruction including Washington DC, Texas,
New York, Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts, and California. He worked
for four years as the lead Teaching Assistant to Dr. Michael Eric
Dyson at Georgetown University. He provides leadership, educational
and diversity empowerment as a consultant and motivational speaker
for organizations, associations and institutions. He has
featured/lectured nationwide in venues from TEDx and Harvard to
Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit and the Nuyorican Poets Café. His
rap mixtape series “Bootleg” promotes positive hip-hop with remixes
of songs by Tupac, Notorious BIG, Jay Z, Nas, 50 Cent, and others.
His 1,000,000 Youth Campaign has directly impacted over 100,000
youth across the globe to date. He has also partnered with Intel on
its campaign to make their computer processors free of minerals
that come from the war in the Congo.
Omékongo has published and produced 7 books, 7-fusion music
and motivational CDs, and one independent DVD. His motivational
book G.R.O.W. Towards Your Greatness! 10 Steps to Living Your Best
Life has received praise from great motivational speakers such as
Willie Jolley. His most recent book “
The UPstander’s Guide to
an Outstanding Life” is a life balance book for students. For
more information, please visit
www.upstanderinternational.com.
Social media links:
Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @omekongo
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