Nov 21, 2018
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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Omékongo’s BIO:
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.
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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