185 episodes

An UPstander is someone who sees something and takes a stand. Here we will explore issues relating to social justice. Some posts will be motivational, some educational. Some times I may drop a rhyme or poem! The goal is to share stories and opinions that help us build a human family. Share your thoughts and share with others!

The UPstander's Podcast with Dr. Omekongo Dr. Omekongo Dibinga

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.0 • 4 Ratings

An UPstander is someone who sees something and takes a stand. Here we will explore issues relating to social justice. Some posts will be motivational, some educational. Some times I may drop a rhyme or poem! The goal is to share stories and opinions that help us build a human family. Share your thoughts and share with others!

    Welcome to the Congo (the M23 rebel remix poem)

    Welcome to the Congo (the M23 rebel remix poem)

    22 years ago, I wrote a poem entitled “Welcome to the Congo.” It’s on my album “Signs of the Time.” I wrote it while in Congo working in refugee camps due to the war in Congo at the time. 22 years later, I am performing this poem once again and have only removed the names of certain people no relevant to the current crisis in Congo. My point is to show you that little has changed or to show you that we’re going backwards from the progress we did make. Please note that your electronics devices fuel this conflict which means we should all feel a duty to speak up. Do you have room in your heart for the heart of Africa? If so, be an #upstander and not a bystander because your inaction is action! Your silence is compliance! #congo #m23 #drc
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    • 5 min
    To the school board that said I'm anti-Semitic and cancelled my visit

    To the school board that said I'm anti-Semitic and cancelled my visit

    I was invited by a school to speak for “Unity Week” because of my documented work as an #upstander. SOME members of the school board who are on record for being part of the fake #criticalracetheory activism began protesting and threatening other action if I was brought in and then it spread to some parents. One of the lies created to create fear of my visit is that I am anti-Semitic for my condemnation of Trump’s language quoting Hitler and my thoughts on Israel, Hamas, and Palestine. At least one board member I researched is affiliated with #maga and @moms4liberty. Patents and other groups started protesting as well so the principal had to cancel the visit out of concerns for the safety of her students, much to the dismay of those students and the teachers who invited me. This letter is my response… #upstander #moms4liberty #maga #schoolboard #liesaboutblackpeople #dei @msnbc @cnn @democracynow @joyannreid @aymanm #palestine #hamas #israel @jworldwatch @enoughproject #lemkin #lemkinsummit #sdlc.
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    • 5 min
    Country Beyonce backlash, book bans, and why I don't say "people of color"

    Country Beyonce backlash, book bans, and why I don't say "people of color"

    Beyoncé(once again) has given us an opportunity to explore American history in ways that were never fully taught in our schools. Great way to start to close out #blackhistorymonth #texasholdem #beyonce #beyoncé #16carriages
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    • 9 min
    Rest in Peace & Power Dr. Joe Madison!

    Rest in Peace & Power Dr. Joe Madison!

    This is a tough time for those of us who knew and loved Dr. Joe Madison. I share my reflections here.

    #siriusxm #siriusxmurbanview

    STAY CONNECTED:
    Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/omekongo
    Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/omekongo
    Facebook | http://www.facebook.com/omekongo
    Website | http://www.omekongo.com
    __

    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 byEssence 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 fromCNN, BET, and the BBC to NPR, Music Choice, and Voice of Americain 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. Heearned 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 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 over100,000 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 Lifehas 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.
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    • 12 min
    The Problem w/the Breakfast Club Nikki Haley Interview

    The Problem w/the Breakfast Club Nikki Haley Interview

    Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and others don't respect Black intellect and historians. They see the Breakfast Club as a softball place where they won't really get pressed. I also propose some suggestions of what they can do to make their interviews stronger because ultimately, these interviews do their listeners a disservice. We need to demand that people who seek to lead us speak to our actual leaders but too many in America see Black entertainers as our leaders from Chris Rock to Steve Harvey, which I also speak about more in depth here.

    STAY CONNECTED:
    Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/omekongo
    Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/omekongo
    Facebook | http://www.facebook.com/omekongo
    Website | http://www.omekongo.com
    __
    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 byEssence 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 has studied at Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Georgetown, Morehouse, and The Fletcher School, where he earned his M.A. in Law & Diplomacy. Heearned 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 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 over100,000 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 Lifehas 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.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 18 min
    Bayard Rustin, protests vs voting, and support for Biden & Harris

    Bayard Rustin, protests vs voting, and support for Biden & Harris

    Remember that after the March on Washington, Dr. King and the other leaders went to the White House. My point is that we can’t just protest. We need to protest AND vote. In this video I talk about Bayard Rustin, voting, and why we must vote for President Joe Biden & Kamala Harris this fall.
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    • 7 min

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