Dr. Om\u00e9kongo Dibinga is an author, educator, speaker and Senior Professorial Lecturer at American University\u2019s School of International Service, where he teaches intercultural communication and courses exploring culture, identity and global hip-hop. Known as \u201cThe UPstander,\u201d his work encourages individuals and organizations to take constructive action when they encounter injustice and to build communities grounded in understanding and respect. Dibinga holds a Ph.D. in International Education Policy from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. A trilingual poet, performer and author, he has presented his work internationally and has spoken before the United Nations. His writing and commentary have appeared across outlets including CNN, BBC, NPR and *O, The Oprah Magazine*. Through his teaching and speaking, Dibinga brings together intercultural communication, education, storytelling and leadership to help audiences engage more effectively across differences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"