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By Dr. Amer F. Ahmed
The podcast currently has 33 episodes available.
In our global, ever shifting world, cultural awareness and adaptability are extremely valuable tools. Dr. Alta Mauro’s expertise shines, as she recounts tales from her days living in Abu Dhabi while navigating a unique racial, social, and economic landscape. As the Associate Dean of Inclusion & Belonging at Harvard College, she adeptly utilizes her knowledge to inspire the next generation of leaders. We also discuss how the pandemic is affecting Ramadan, why disruption can be healthy, and how institutions can continue to innovate regardless of their current level of success.
Bio:
Dr. Alta Mauro is the Associate Dean for Inclusion & Belonging at Harvard College, guiding divisional efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Under her direction, the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural & Race Relations, the Harvard College Women’s Center, the Office of BGLTQ Student Life, and Title IX coordination converge to leverage Harvard’s great diversity to cultivate inclusive community where all students can thrive.
Previously, Alta served as the founding director of Spiritual Life & Intercultural Education at New York University Abu Dhabi. The UAE’s cosmopolitan diversity provided an exciting backdrop to consider what it meant to educate from the intersection of Black diasporic, critical, womanist perspectives rooted in cultural humility, social justice, and equity.
Alta earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her dissertation, Identity (re)Determination Among Upwardly-Mobile Black Women, focuses on shifting notions of self, identity, and belonging among African-American women who have been acculturated in sociocultural spaces which are markedly different from their home communities. Other areas of her professional expertise include sustained dialogue and engaging culturally-relevant pedagogy across academic disciplines. Alta has co-authored three refereed book chapters, additional articles related to DEI and global education issues, and published poetry in a recent higher education anthology.
Highlights:
Connect with Amer and The Eclectic Inclusion Podcast:
Website | amerfahmed.com
Instagram | @dramerfahmed
Twitter | @dramerfahmed
Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. is a dedicated change agent, with leadership experience across the education and business sectors. In today’s episode, he speaks deeply to the mindset and approach that educators must adopt to truly make an on impact students. Dr. Moore shares from his past, including how he overcame addiction and found himself in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. We also cover why there is no finish line for anti-racism work, why massive transformation will come from a series of small actions, and what it means to hold someone accountable.
Bio:
Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. has pursued and achieved success in academia, business, diversity, leadership and community service. In 1996, he started America & MOORE, LLC to provide comprehensive diversity, privilege and leadership trainings and workshops. Dr. Moore is recognized as one of the nation’s top motivational speakers and educators, especially for his work with students K-16. Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., currently serves as Director of The Privilege Institute (TPI) and The National White Privilege Conference (WPC), both founded under his direction to provide opportunities and possibilities for research, publications, speaking and collaborations by those committed to true social and institutional change.
He received his Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies at the University of Iowa and under his direction and inclusive relationship model the White Privilege Conference has become one of the top national and international conferences for participants who want to move beyond dialogue and into action around issues of diversity, power, privilege, and leadership. In 2014 Dr. Moore founded The Privilege Institute, which engages people in research, education, action and leadership through workshops, conferences, publications and collaborative partnerships and relationships. (Click here to read full bio)
Highlights:
Connect with Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr.
Website | EddieMooreJr.com - free e-book, 21 Day Action Plans, and book info!!
Instagram | @eddiemoorejr
Twitter | @eddieknowsmoore
Connect with Amer and The Eclectic Inclusion Podcast:
Website | amerfahmed.com
Instagram | @dramerfahmed
Twitter | @dramerfahmed
While the recent wave of anti-Asian crimes is frightening, the hate itself is not new. It simply became more acute and visible due to global events. Our guest, Kia Lor, intimately understands intercultural competence and holds a heartfelt remedy for the vitriol. The path forward includes deeper intentional listening and more meaningful communication amongst cultures and generations. We also cover the history of the Hmong people, inclusion issues within study abroad programs, and the sneaky ways that institutions attempt to force assimilation.
Bio:
Kia Lor (she/her), Associate Director, was a First-Generation Lower-Income (FGLI) college student who was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and raised in snowy St. Paul, Minnesota. Kia can tell you all about how to immerse yourself in intercultural courses at UPenn, including the Intercultural Leadership Program, the United Minorities Council, and the Civil Rights History Spring Break. She is also skilled in social media marketing. Kia is passionate about Hmong women narratives and digital storytelling, and she uses her training in intercultural communication to help students develop their voices. Outside of her work at the Albert M. Greenfield Intercultural Center, you may find Kia taking pictures or running along the Schuylkill trail.
Highlights:
Connect with Amer and The Eclectic Inclusion Podcast:
Website | amerfahmed.com
Instagram | @dramerfahmed
Twitter | @dramerfahmed
Alex Schein is a multimedia producer and the Director of Digital Communications for the School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. Alex’s long-established involvement in educational art projects enables him to expertly convey their potential power in realizing social and economic justice. Amer and Alex’s close relationship makes for a potent and heartfelt episode, including tales from their time living in South Africa during the Truth and Reconciliation era. Stay tuned for part 2 of this conversation!
Bio:
He is currently producing and hosting Season 2 of In These Times: Black Lives and Call for Justice, a podcast by the School of Arts and Sciences at Penn. The six-part series explores the nation’s complex history with race and examines the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 and the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Schein has served as part-time faculty at Temple University and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and as creative director for the African American Policy Forum, co-founded by Kimberlé Crenshaw, in New York City. As the sole proprietor of SkyHunter Media, he has directed and produced numerous promotional films for organizations, independent artists, and institutions. His solo-produced documentary film, Making Sense, made its world premiere in New York City at the 2014 DOC NYC Film Festival.
As a professional songwriter and music producer for over 15 years, Schein has had songs from his self-produced album, Speed of Light, featured in the feature film Bilal’s Stand (Sundance Film Festival 2010) as well as on ESPN, NBC Sports, and in Big UP Productions' films by Emmy-Award director Josh Lowell.
Show Notes:
Connect with Amer and The Eclectic Inclusion Podcast:
Website | amerfahmed.com
Instagram | @dramerfahmed
Twitter | @dramerfahmed
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“Real critical thinking is about cracking open conventional wisdom, bringing in other bodies of knowledge, and expanding the conversation” - Dr. Vincent Stephens
Decolonizing the syllabus and overturning centuries of racist policy is essential work. But, those missions aren’t achievable if we don’t truly ground into the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Vincent Stephens has been a bold force in higher education, advocating for higher degrees of discernment and intersectionality from leadership. In this episode, we dispel common social justice myths, critique mainstream American media, and provide positive reinforcement for those speaking truth to power.
Bio: Vincent L. Stephens (he/him/his) began as the Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Arts & Sciences in January 2021. Dr. Stephens serves on the Dean’s cabinet to advise the dean, help define strategic priorities, and develop and implement policy to advance the College’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. He also provides strategic consultations for faculty, staff, and students, including concerns related to climate, hiring, creation of pipeline programs, and curriculum. He has served as the Director of the Popel Shaw Center for Race and Ethnicity at Dickinson College (2015-21) and Director of Multicultural Student Services (2011-15) at Bucknell University. Through these roles he has cultivated specialties in inclusive pedagogy techniques, equitable hiring practices, cultural conflict resolution, dialogue facilitation, and student retention and engagement, among other areas.
An American Studies scholar, he completed his BS in Mass Communication/Print Journalism at Emerson College, MA in Popular Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University, and PhD in American Studies at the University of Maryland College Park. He is the author of 2019’s Rocking the Closet: How Little Richard, Johnnie Ray, Liberace, and Johnny Mathis Queered Pop Music (University of Illinois Press) and co-editor of 2017’s Post Racial America? An Interdisciplinary Study (Bucknell University Press). His essays on popular culture have appeared in various peer-reviewed journals, anthologies, and encyclopedias. He has also taught at multiple institutions, most recently as a Contributing Faculty member in the Department of Music at Dickinson College (Fall 2018-Fall 2020).
Show Notes:
Connect with Dr. Vincent Stephens:
Boston University Educator Profile | Dr. Vincent Stephens
Connect with Amer and The Eclectic Inclusion Podcast:
Website | amerfahmed.com
Instagram | @dramerfahmed
Twitter | @dramerfahmed
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Creating a radically different future will require masterful innovation from educators. Asad Ali Jafri has been at the forefront of societal transformation, working with teachers, community activists, artists, and thought leaders on intentional initiatives. Today’s conversation explores the intersection of hip-hop and Islam, the importance of backing up our words with meaningful action, and why art is a critical component of an educator’s toolbox.
Bio: Asad Ali Jafri is a cultural producer, community organizer and interdisciplinary artist with a creative vision for sustainable social change. As an innovative thinker, Asad utilizes the universal language of art to connect communities, cultures and people to transform interactions, perceptions, and collective consciousness. Since 2001, Asad has worked passionately with artists, creatives, and thought leaders across nations, disciplines, and genres to curate meaningful productions, design sustainable initiatives, and build strong communities. Currently Asad is based in Chicago as Executive Director of South Asia Institute. Asad melds his passion for art, culture, design, and space to transform people, relationships, perceptions and communities.
Show Notes:
Connect with Asad Ali Jafri:
Instagram | @asewonder
Facebook | Asad Ali Jafri
Website | asadalijafri.com - available for schools and educators
Connect with Amer and The Eclectic Inclusion Podcast:
Website | amerfahmed.com
Instagram | @dramerfahmed
Twitter | @dramerfahmed
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Kelli McLoud-Schingen is a world-class bridge builder, using the power of story and art to bring about social and racial justice. In this interview, she details how her upbringing in Chicago fueled her current passion for inclusive leadership and intercultural competence. We answer pertinent questions from the diversity, equity, and inclusion field, including why Black self-determinism is non negotiable and often overlooked, how art can transform perspectives, and why gradual change is no longer a viable solution.
Bio: Kelli McLoud-Schingen is President and principal facilitator/trainer for KMS Intercultural Consulting, LLC. She specializes in Inclusive Leadership, Global Diversity and Inclusion, Storytelling, Cultural Competence, Social Justice, Healing Racism, Conflict Resolution/Mediation, and Team-building. She has facilitated development workshops, trainings and dramatic presentations for educational, non-profit, government and corporate institutions in the USA and internationally since 1989. A certified professional mediator, Kelli holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Aurora University and a Master of Arts in Cross-Cultural Studies from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Show Notes:
Connect with Kelli McLoud-Schingen:
Website | kmsintercultural.com - She helps individuals, corporations, and organizations to navigate the journey to inclusion and cultural competence through the power of story.
Connect with Amer and The Eclectic Inclusion Podcast:
Website | amerfahmed.com
Instagram | @dramerfahmed
Twitter | @dramerfahmed
Please Share, Subscribe, and Review!
Vernon A. Wall, the consummate scholar-practitioner, brings his brilliant perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion to The Eclectic Inclusion Podcast. During his 30 years of experience in higher education (full bio below), his passion and understanding have helped him create long lasting institutional change. We cover why self reflection is mandatory to be a top-notch pedagog, how to teach from the heart, and why fighting both systemic racism AND Covid-19 can equally be a priority.
Vernon A. Wall has degrees from North Carolina State University and Indiana University, and has student affairs experience at Iowa State University, the University of Georgia, UNC-Charlotte, and UNC-Chapel Hill. He has experience in Greek life, new student orientation, student activities, leadership development, global education, and university housing. He currently serves as the president of ACPA - College Student Educators, International. Between writing, lecturing, and consulting, Vernon has been an incredible force within the social justice space.
Show Notes:
Connect with Vernon A Wall:
Twitter | @vernonAwall
Instagram | @vernonawall
Connect with Amer and The Eclectic Inclusion Podcast:
Website | amerfahmed.com
Instagram | @dramerfahmed
Twitter | @dramerfahmed
Please Share, Subscribe, and Review!
The podcast currently has 33 episodes available.