The Keynote Shop is pleased to introduce The UPstander, Dr. Omékongo Dibinga

Welcome to The Keynote Shop.  Our mission is to discover and promote cutting edge thought leaders, compelling keynote speakers, and the very best corporate entertainers our industry has to offer.

That said, we are extremely proud to present our featured speaker and social influencer for this month, Dr. Omékongo Dibinga, who will be one of the featured presenters at this week's Influence 2018, the annual conference of  the National Speakers Association Conference.

 Omékongo is a motivational speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, rapper, and professor of cross cultural communication at American University.  He refers to himself as the UPstander and he challenges his audiences to call attention to injustice, no matter how small or large, as he inspires us all to take a stand when we witness injustices.

 A scholar, Dr. Dibinga 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.”

He has published and produced 7 books (including G.R.O.W. Towards Your Greatness! 10 Steps to Living Your Best Life), 7-fusion music and motivational CDs, and one independent DVD. His most recent book “The UPstander’s Guide to an Outstanding Life” is a life balance book for students
 
Omékongo’s writings and performances have appeared in O Magazine, as well as on TV and radio including CNN, BET, and the BBC to NPR, Music Choice, and Voice of America.

I've included on of my favorite poems which was posted by Dr. Dibinga in June 2017.  I hope it resonates with you as it did for me.  What cause are you standing up for?
  
 
 
Malaika (a poem)
Originally posted by Dr. Dibinga on June 28, 2017
When you educate a girl, you save the nation
When you teach girls to lead, they become our salvation
Digging wells isn’t just about digging holes
When a community is nourished, you’ve nourished its soul
Malaika Malaika, Swahili for angel
YOU are Malaika, helping girls succeed from every angle
Creating change agents for tomorrow
By focusing on the good, not the sorrow
If each girl can wake up with a possible new beginning
She’s waking up every day with the chance of winning
Building community, one girl at a time
And day after day, we’re seeing the signs
That an investment in girls is some thing never wasted
Because day by day, new trailways are created
All our girls need is hope and a chance
Then we can get out of their way and watch them advance!