Why Settle For Outstanding When You Can Be UPstanding?

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. A John Maxwell Team “Top 30 speaker”, he is an international speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, rapper, and professor of Inter-cultural Communication at American University, where he also serves as a faculty affiliate to the Antiracist Research & Policy Center.

Meet Dr. Omékongo or Dr. O

"Oh-May-Kongo"

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. A John Maxwell Team “Top 30 speaker”, he is an international speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, rapper, and professor of Inter-cultural Communication at American University, where he also serves as a faculty affiliate to the Antiracist Research & Policy Center. His Urban Music Awardwinning 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.

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In many ways, race has come to the forefront of contemporary American life. From the Black Lives Matter movement sparked by unarmed police shootings of black people to the health and economic disparities exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans have been forced to reckon with our country’s fraught history – and present – of racial bias and inequality. Now that we have scratched the surface on courageous conversations about race, many are wondering: what is the next step towards healing and justice?

Lies About Black People: How to Combat Racist Stereotypes and why it Matters (foreword by Dr. Michael Eric Dyson) is designed for anyone who wants to examine their own biases and behaviors with a deeper critical lens in order to take action, make change, and engage positively in the fight for racial equality. In this honest and welcoming book, diversity and inclusion expert, professor, and award-winning speaker Dr. Omekongo Dibinga argues that we must embark on a massive undertaking to re-educate ourselves on the stereotypes that have proven harmful, and too often deadly, to the black community. Through personal anecdotes, nuanced historical inquiry, and engaging analysis of modern-day events and their historical context and implications, this invaluable guide will break down some of the most powerful lies told about black people. Whether those lies are pernicious, like the idea that “most black people are criminals,” or seemingly innocuous, like “black people can’t swim,” all of the lies and stereotypes combatted in this book are rooted in hate and continue to undermine not only black people in America, but our society as a whole.

Beyond combatting these harmful lies, Dr. Dibinga also provides readers with powerful insights on our racial vocabulary, reflective hands-on exercises that will allow readers to confront and change their own biases, and an honest discussion about how to move beyond misplaced shame and use privilege to serve others. Featuring personal surveys alongside real-life interviews with those who have been affected by racial biases first-hand, this open and thoughtful guide will lead readers on a path to understanding, action, and change. Order your copy today wherever books are sold!

a few of the clients dr. omékongo has inspired:

Democracy dies in the light of day, not in darkness

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it says on the Washington Post website: “Democracy dies in darkness.” Something about that never felt right. When

It’s A Girl

By Dr. Omekongo Dibinga 200,000,000 missing, not talkin’ ’bout money see Talkin’ about something worth more than currency Talkin’ about missing girls the foundation of

Congo on the Come Up

Time to go for the gold, better yet platinum Across the globe stand for Congo, takin’ action Said we couldn’t do it, couldn’t let the

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Praise For Dr. Omékongo's Work

"To all my Diversity & Inclusion, HR professionals and meeting planner contacts, do not miss the opportunity to put Dr. Omekongo Dibinga on the stage at your next event! I could not recommend him more highly!!"

"Your keynote presentation, FINDING COMMON GROUND IN UNCOMMON TIMES received rave reviews. MD SHRM can’t thank you enough for the meaningful and informative contribution that you made in making MD SHRM’s conference one of the BEST ever! Recognizing how we can shine in a polarized society was so refreshing and rewarding. The insight and tools you shared were priceless. For that, we all thank you!"