Omékongo Dibinga
Global Storyteller, Trilingual Poet & Thought Leader in Respectful Dialogue & Social Courage
Omékongo Dibinga
Global Storyteller, Trilingual Poet & Thought Leader in Respectful Dialogue & Social Courage
Biography
Dr. Omékongo Dibinga, CSP, is known worldwide as “the UPstander”—a speaker, scholar, poet, and performer whose mission is to help people lead, live, and communicate with more courage, clarity, and compassion. A John C. Maxwell Team “Top 30 Speaker,” Omékongo is a sought-after international keynoter, trilingual poet (English, French, Swahili), award-winning rapper, and professor of intercultural communication at American University, where he also serves as a faculty affiliate to the Antiracist Research and Policy Center.
As a four-time TEDx speaker and contributor to outlets like CNN, NPR, BET, BBC, O Magazine, and SiriusXM Urban View, Omékongo delivers thought-provoking, heart-opening presentations that inspire audiences to rise above division and take meaningful action. He has spoken at the United Nations, collaborated with the U.S. State Department to reduce child soldier recruitment and human trafficking, and trained leaders across sectors—from classrooms to C-suites—in nearly 30 countries on three continents.
Omékongo is the author of several acclaimed books, including From the Limbs of My Poetree, G.R.O.W. Towards Your Greatness! (foreword by Les Brown), The UPstander’s Guide to an Outstanding Life, and most recently, Lies About Black People, which debunks harmful stereotypes through a powerful mix of history, humor, and humanity. His forthcoming book, Trigger Words, offers a blueprint for engaging in difficult conversations without fear or defensiveness. Rather than avoiding hot-button terms like “woke,” “privilege,” or “patriarchy,” Omékongo shows audiences how to lean into discomfort with curiosity, bridge divides through dialogue, and transform triggering moments into tools for understanding.
His work has been featured alongside artists such as Norah Jones, Mos Def (Yasiin Bey), and Angélique Kidjo, and he has shared stages with luminaries like Jane Fonda, Martin Sheen, Sonia Sanchez, and OutKast. A former lead teaching assistant to Dr. Michael Eric Dyson at Georgetown University, Omékongo earned his Ph.D. in International Education Policy from the University of Maryland, where he studied the global impact of hip-hop culture. He’s also studied at institutions including Harvard, MIT, Princeton, and The Fletcher School, and has worked with school districts nationwide to support culturally relevant and human-centered instruction.
Widely regarded as one of America’s most versatile and inspiring speakers, Omékongo is known for customizing each keynote to meet the unique needs of his audience—often including original poetry or music composed specifically for the occasion. Whether speaking to students, executives, educators, or activists, he offers not just inspiration, but actionable tools to lead with empathy, spark courageous conversations, and create communities where everyone feels seen, valued, and respected.
Speaker Videos
TEDx: The Accidental Ambassador
Dr. Omékongo Dibinga's Hot Takes on Culture, Unity, and Education
Grow Towards Your Greatness
Welcome to Omékongo Dibinga UPstander International
My interview on the CW TV on racial equality and my new book
Check out my new book "Lies About Black People: how to combat racist stereotypes and why it matters"
Encouraging Courageous Conversation
G.R.O.W. in Up
Critical RacIST Theory (a poem)
Combatting Racial Stereotypes - Ask The Good Doctor "LIVE" - Ep 99
GRACE under pressure: John Baldoni with Dr. Omekongo Dibinga
Finding Common Ground in Uncommon Times
Climate Change Poetic Performance
Congo On the Come Up
It’s A Girl – Official Music Video
Speech Topics
From Tolerance to Transformation: Building Unity Without Uniformity
In a time of growing division and tension, how do we come together across lines of difference—especially when we don’t fully understand or agree with one another? In this timely and thought-provoking keynote, Dr. Omékongo Dibinga challenges the idea that unity requires agreement or sameness. Instead, he explores how we can cultivate respect, dialogue, and cooperation even when our values and identities don’t align. Drawing on personal stories, current events, and global experiences, Dr. Dibinga breaks down the critical difference between holding a different perspective and expressing hate—and the line between questioning out of curiosity versus passing judgment out of bias. With honesty, humor, and heart, he equips audiences with practical tools to build healthier communities, respectful workplaces, and a more united world—one rooted not in uniformity, but in shared dignity.
Be the UPstander: Turning Awareness Into Action Through Word, Rhythm & Resolve
In this dynamic and empowering keynote, Dr. Omékongo Dibinga uses the power of spoken word, hip-hop, and lived experience to challenge audiences to step out of silence and into purpose. With a focus on building cultural self-confidence and respect across racial, religious, and social lines, Omékongo unpacks the root causes of division and invites participants to critically examine the narratives that shape their worldviews. This session doesn’t just inspire change—it equips people to lead it. Whether you're a student, educator, corporate team, or community leader, you'll walk away ready to speak up, stand tall, and spark impact from wherever you are. Because being an UPstander isn’t just a choice—it’s a calling.
Finding Common Ground in Uncommon Times
In a world increasingly shaped by division, outrage, and misunderstanding, how do we build bridges without compromising our values? In this inspiring keynote, Dr. Omékongo Dibinga invites audiences to step beyond surface-level soundbites and into the deeper work of human connection. With his signature blend of storytelling, spoken word, and real-world strategies, Omékongo explores how we can disagree without dehumanizing, listen without losing our voice, and engage with empathy even when emotions run high. Drawing from his global experiences and forthcoming book Trigger Words, he unpacks the difference between healthy dialogue and harmful rhetoric—and provides a roadmap for building trust across lines of difference. This keynote is an energizing and practical call to stop avoiding tough conversations and start leading them—with courage, clarity, and compassion.
Audience Takeaways Include:
- Learn how to navigate “trigger words” and polarizing topics without escalating conflict.
- Understand the difference between differing perspectives and hate—and respond with confidence, not defensiveness.
- Gain tools to build respectful, human-centered dialogue across cultures, generations, and belief systems.
Trigger Words: Turning Conflict Into Conversation in a Divided World
In this timely and courageous keynote based on his forthcoming book Trigger Words, Dr. Omékongo Dibinga tackles the language that sparks outrage—and how we can use it to spark understanding instead. From classrooms to boardrooms, words like “privilege,” “patriarchy,” and “woke” often shut down dialogue before it begins. Omékongo breaks down why these terms carry so much weight, how they’re weaponized, and what it takes to respond with curiosity instead of combativeness. Through powerful stories, research, and actionable strategies, he equips audiences to lean into discomfort, unpack difficult conversations, and build bridges in even the most polarized spaces. This keynote is a call to stop avoiding the hard topics—and start transforming them into opportunities for growth and connection.
G.R.OW. Towards Your Greatness!
Based on his powerful motivational book G.R.O.W. Towards Your Greatness!, Dr. Omékongo Dibinga delivers an uplifting and high-energy keynote designed to help individuals unlock their fullest potential—personally and professionally. Using his signature G.R.O.W. framework (Goals, Responsibility, Obstacles, and Willpower), Omékongo blends personal storytelling, poetry, and practical guidance to inspire audiences to take ownership of their purpose and push through challenges with clarity and resilience. Whether you're a student, educator, corporate team member, or community leader, this keynote is a call to action to stop making excuses and start making progress. With humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom, Omékongo empowers each person in the room to take bold steps toward the life they were meant to lead.
Beyond the Costume: Moving from Cultural Appropriation to Genuine Appreciation
In a world where culture is constantly borrowed, blended, and broadcast, how do we honor the origins without erasing them? In this insightful and energizing keynote, Dr. Omékongo Dibinga challenges audiences to examine the fine line between cultural appreciation and appropriation—from Halloween costumes and company holidays to music, fashion, business, and beyond. Through thought-provoking questions, powerful storytelling, and real-world examples, he unpacks how power dynamics and profit often distort cultural exchange—and how we can shift toward practices rooted in authenticity, respect, and equity. Whether you're navigating these issues as an individual, brand, or organization, this session offers a clear, compassionate roadmap for celebrating culture without exploiting it. It's not about canceling creativity—it’s about elevating consciousness.
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