OMARI L. DYSON, PH.D.
EMAIL: [email protected]
I. Education
Ph.D. Purdue University, Curriculum and Instruction, August 2008.
M.S. Purdue University, Child Development and Family Studies, August 2003.
B.S. University of South Carolina, Experimental Psychology (Cum Laude), May 2001.
II. Academic Experience
University of North Carolina-Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina Academic Professional Assistant Professor August 2021 —
Department of Kinesiology
University of North Carolina-Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina Academic Professional Assistant Professor July 2018 — August 2021 Department of Peace and Conflict Studies
Guilford College Greensboro, North Carolina Visiting Assistant Professor August 2016 – May 2018 Department of Justice and Policy Studies
Benedict College Columbia, South Carolina
Associate Professor July 2014 - April 2016 Education, Child and Family Studies Department
South Carolina State University (SCSU) Orangeburg, South Carolina Associate/Assistant Professor August 2008 - August 2014 Department of Education
Mayville State University (MSU) Mayville, North Dakota
Visiting Scholar April 2014
Division of Education & Psychology
University of South Carolina Columbia, South Carolina
Adjunct Professor July 2011 – August 2011
Department of Instruction and Teacher Education
Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana
Graduate Instructor August 2005 – May 2007
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana
Graduate Teaching Assistant August 2002 – May 2003 Department of Child Development and Family Studies
Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana
Graduate Teaching Assistant January 2002 – July 2002 Purdue Child Care Program
III. Administrative Experience
Benedict College Columbia, S.C. (July 2014 to July 2015)
Executive Director of the Benedict College Child Development Center (BCCDC) Duties included:
Maintaining proper documentation to ensure accreditation and licensing was aligned with the policies and procedures instituted by various governing/accrediting bodies (e.g., NAEYC, DSS, CACFP, First Steps, etc.).
Re-structuring the center’s organizational chart to maintain proper teacher-student ratio and ensuring that optimum service was provided to children and families.
Hiring four employees to assist in the day-to-day operations of the center, which improved employee engagement and customer service ratings by 7%.
Establishing and actively maintaining partnerships with outside agencies.
Assisting in the enrollment of ~80 children in the initial launch of the My First Books Parent Survey Program.
South Carolina State University Orangeburg, S.C. (August 2012 to August 2014) Master of Arts in Teaching, Coordinator in the Department of Graduate Studies Duties included:
Optimizing the Master of Arts and Teaching course curriculum to ensure that curricula were innovative, globally focused, and aligned with local, state, and national education standards.
Reducing departmental silos by developing communities of practices that encourage active collaboration among faculty, administration, staff, and students.
Producing reports and evaluations to affirm and monitor the program’s compliance with local, state, and national standards.
IV. Grants
External Funding
McGuirt, J., Dyson, O.L., & Rhea, C. (September 2019). Designing and testing a community context driven evidence-based virtual avatar coaching approach to improve access to health promotion programs for low-income children and families. Phase 3 (Scaling) Proposal accepted by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) (Not funded: $125,000.00).
Dyson, O.L. (December 2020). North star: Exploring the lived experiences of children impacted by parental incarceration. Proposal submitted to the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs. (Not funded: $48,958.00).
McGuirt, J., Dyson, O.L., & Rhea, C. (July 2020). Virtual avatar coaching to improve access to health promotion programs for low-income children and families. DHHS Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA). (Funded: $5,000.00).
Dyson, O.L. (October 2019). Initiative to Combat Obesity Through Mindfulness and Judo. Proposal submitted to the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation (Not funded:
$15,000).
McGuirt, J., Dyson, O.L., & Rhea, C. (September 2019). Designing and testing a community context driven evidence-based virtual avatar coaching approach to improve access to health promotion programs for low-income children and families. Phase 2 (Development and Small- Scale Testing) Proposal accepted by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) (Funded: $25,000.00).
McGuirt, J., Dyson, O.L., & Rhea, C. (November 2018). Designing and testing a community context driven evidence-based virtual avatar coaching approach to improve access to health promotion programs for low-income children and families. Phase 1 (Design) Proposal accepted by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) (Funded: $10,000.00).
Darko, S.A., Dyson, O.L., Chau, J.F., Sabalowsky, A., & Comert, G. (March 2016). Examining the Impact of a Learning Community Model (Benedict College Scientific Village) and Critical Pedagogy on Minority Students’ Intra-Collegiate and Post-Graduate Success. Proposal accepted by National Science Foundation’s HBCU-UP Program (Funded: $349,958.00).
Dyson, O. & Brooks, K. (Spring 2007). Rites of Passage: Mentoring Program. Submitted to the National Council for Black Studies’ Community Education and Engagement (Funded:
$2,500.00).
Internal Funding
McGuirt, J., Dyson, O.L., & Rhea, C. (November 2018). Virtual avatar coaching to improve access to health promotion programs for low-income children and families. UNC-Greensboro’s Child and Family Research Network (CFRN). (Funded: $5,000.00).
Hemphill, M., Rinker, J., & Dyson, O.L. (November 2018). Conflict transformation through health & physical education. Proposal accepted by UNC-Greensboro’s Office of Research and Engagement. (Funded: $16,000.00).
Dyson, O. (April 2013). The Initiative to Combat Obesity Now (I.C.O.N.). Proposal accepted by S.C. State University's 2013 1890 Summer Excellence Research Opportunity Grant (SEROG) (Funded: $9,972.59).
Dyson, O. & Brooks, K. (Fall 2006). Rite of Passage: Mentoring Program. Submitted to Purdue University’s Alumni Association Diversity Grant (Funded: $800.00).
Dyson, O. & Brooks, K. (Fall 2005). Rite of Passage: Mentoring Program. Submitted to Purdue University’s Office of Engagement Service Learning Grant (Funded: $4,500.00).
Dyson, O. & Brooks, K. (Fall 2005). Rite of Passage: Mentoring Program. Submitted to Purdue University’s Office of the Vice President for Student Services (Funded: $750.00).
Dyson, O. & Brooks, K. (Fall 2005). Rite of Passage: Mentoring Program. Purdue University and Select Foundations (Funded: $10,000.00).
V. Research Publications
Book
Dyson, O.L. (2014). The Black Panther Party and Transformative Pedagogy: Place-Based Education in Philadelphia. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Refereed Journal Articles
McGuirt, J.T., Enahora, B., Dyson, O.L., Tripicchio, G., Mallard, L., & Rhea, C.K. (2021).
Virtual avatar coaching with community context for adult-child dyads with low income. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 53(3), 232-239.
McGuirt, J., Dyson, O.L., & Rhea, C. (2020). Development of a virtual reality avatar software program to prevent obesity in children from low-income communities. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 52(7S).
McGuirt, J., Cooke, N., Burgermaster, M., Enahora, B., Huebner, G., Meng, Y., Tripicchio, G., Dyson, O.L., Stage, V., & Wong, S.S. (2020). Extended reality technologies in nutrition education and behavior: Scoping review and future directions. Nutrients, 12, 2899.
Jeffries, J.L., Dyson, O.L., & Jones, C.E. (2017). Mark Clark's Tenuous Place in History. Journal of African American Studies, 21(1), 6-25.
Waymer, D.M. & Dyson, O.L. (2011). The journey into an unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory: Exploring the role and approaches of race in PR education. Journal of Public Relations Research, 23(4), 458-477.
Jeffries, J.L. & Dyson, O.L. (2010). Nobody Knows My Name: The Marginalization of Mark Clark in America’s Collective Consciousness. International Social Science Review, 85 (3&4), 124-140.
Jeffries, J.L., Dyson, O.L., & Jones, C.E. (2010). Militancy Transcends Race: A Comparative Analysis of the American Indian Movement, the Black Panther Party, and the Young Lords.
Black Diaspora Review, 1(2), 4-31.
Dyson, O.L. (2010). “When Machetes and Vaginas Wield Power: Representations of Liberation Acts in Burn! and Xica da Silva.” Plenum: The South Carolina State University Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 1(2), 53-59.
Roy, K., & Dyson, O. (2010). “Making Daddies into Fathers: Community-Based Fatherhood Programs and the Construction of Masculinity for Low-Income African American Men.”
American Journal of Community Psychology, 45, 139-154.
Roy, K. & Dyson, O. (2005). “Gatekeeping in Context: Babymamadrama and the Involvement of Incarcerated Fathers.” Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice about Men as Fathers, 3, 289-310.
Refereed Book Chapters
McCutchen, S. Jeffries, J.L., & Dyson, O.L. (2013). The Black Panther Party and the Black Church. In R.D. Smith (Ed.), From Every Mountainside: Black Churches and Civil Rights Beyond the South, 1950s-1970s. New York: SUNY Press.
Dyson, O.L. (2010). “Nesting the Black Panther Party in the Zeitgeist of Uncertainty.” In J. L.
Jeffries, On the Ground: The Black Panther Party in Communities Across America.
Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi.
Roy, K., Dyson, O., & Jackson, J. (2010). Intergenerational Support and Reciprocity between Low-Income African American Fathers and their Aging Mothers. In W. Johnson (Ed.), Social Work with African American Males. New York: Oxford University Press.
Dyson, O., Brooks, K., Jeffries, J. (2007). “‘Brotherly Love Can Kill You’: The Philadelphia Branch of the Black Panther Party.” In J. L. Jeffries (Ed.), Comrades: A Local History of the Black Panther Party. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
Encyclopedia
Dyson, O.L., Jeffries J.L., & Brooks, K.L. (2020). African American Culture: An Encyclopedia of People, Traditions, and Customs. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO Publishing. 3 Volumes, 1100 pages.
Encyclopedia Entries
Dyson, O.L. (2020). “A Nation within a Nation: Surviving for Existence.” In O.L. Dyson, J.L.
Jeffries & K.L. Brooks (Ed.), African American Culture: An Encyclopedia of People, Traditions, and Customs. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO Publishing., xiii-xvii.
Dyson, O.L. (2020). Listervelt Middleton. In O.L. Dyson, J.L. Jeffries & K.L. Brooks (Ed.), African American Culture: An Encyclopedia of People, Traditions, and Customs. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO Publishing, 634-637.
Non-Refereed Publications
Jeffries, J.L. & O.L. Dyson (2019). Introduction. Journal of African American Studies, 23(4), 273-275.
Jeffries, J. L. & Dyson, O. L. (2017). The Black Panther Jubilee. Journal of African American Studies, 21(1), 4-5.
Book Reviews
Dyson, O. L. (2019). Just Another N$#@r: My Life in the Black Panther Party (Book Review). Journal of African American Studies, 23(4), 523-524.
Dyson, O.L. (2017). Revolutionary Grain: Celebrating the Spirit of the Black Panthers in Portraits and Stories (Book Review). Spectrum: A Journal on Black Men, 6(1), 127-129.
Film Review
Dyson, O.L. (2021). One Night in Miami [Film review]. Spectrum: A Journal on
Black Men.
Published Interviews
Dyson, O. L. (2017). Rapping with Mr. Richard Reginald Schell. Journal of African American Studies, 21(1), 118-123.
Dyson, O.L. (2016). A dialogue with Clarence “Stretch” Peterson. Spectrum: A Journal on Black Men, 5(1), 155-162.
VI. Review/Editorial Boards
Book Review Editor for Spectrum: A Journal on Black Men (current).
Film & Media Review Editor for the Journal of African American Studies (current).
Grant Reviewer for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Florida (June 2020).
Guest Lead Editor for the Journal of African American Studies’ Special Issue of the Black Panther Party (March 2017).
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Review Board. Rockville, MD.
(February 2014).
Malewski, E. (Ed.). (2009). Curriculum studies—the next moment: The post-reconceptualization handbook. New York: Routledge.
Co-Editor for the American Educational Research Association Newsletter (Division B:
Curriculum Studies) (Summer 2009 to Summer 2011).
VII. Research Presentations
Restorative Circles as a Proactive Institutional Conflict Measure. Co-Presenter at the Association for Conflict Resolution’s 2020 Vision: Focusing Resolutions in an Imperfect Time. Virtual Presentation (October 2020).
Restorative Circles as a Proactive Institutional Conflict Measure. Co-Presenter at the Peace &
Justice Studies Association’s 2020 Digital Conference on Restorative Justice. Virtual Presentation (September 2020).
The Village: Myth, Legend, or Re-Defined, Pt. II. Presenter at the Annual All Black Everything Symposium (Guilford College). Greensboro, North Carolina (February 2017).
The Genius and Legacy of Huey P. Newton. Co-Presenter at the Black Panther Party 50th Anniversary Commemoration Event. Oakland, California (October 2016).
The Initiative to Combat Obesity Now (I.C.O.N.). Presenter at the South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children’s “The Wonder of Children” Conference. Columbia, South Carolina (October 2014).
The Initiative to Combat Obesity Now (I.C.O.N.). Presenter for the Cancer Health Disparities Lecture Series at the Louisiana State University Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center. New Orleans, Louisiana (June 2014).
The Village: Myth, Legend, or Re-Defined. Invited Presenter for the 7th Annual 2013 Black, Brown & College Bound (BBCB) Summit at Hillsborough Community College. Tampa, Florida.
(February 2013).
Felidelphia: The Social Transformation Efforts of the Black Panther Party in Philadelphia.
Alumni presentation for the Black Cultural Center’s Fall Theme: “Black Power Movement—The Art, Politics, and Empowerment of African American Identity,” Purdue University, West
Lafayette, Indiana. (November 2010).
Dissertation Writing and Success Stories: Dissertate or Die Writing. Presentation at the 31st Bergamo Conference on Curriculum Theory and Classroom Practice: “(Re)Negotiating Nostalgia: Building Curriculum Communities Without Consensus,” Dayton, Ohio. (October 2010).
Tapping the Brain: Teaching African American Males and Their Families. Presentation at the 2010 Association for Childhood Education International Conference: “Brighter Futures for Children: Strengthening School, Family, and Community Connections,” Phoenix, Arizona. (April 2010).
Nobody Knows My Name: The Marginalization of Mark Clark in America’s Collective Consciousness. Presentation at the “Can We Talk?” Research Conclave, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. (March 2010).
Rites of Passage: A Path to Greatness. Presentation at the 2009 Institute for the Study of the African-American Child Conference: “The African American Child in School,” Hilton Head, South Carolina. (May 2009).
Felines of “Brotherly Love”: The Social, Political, and Pedagogical Transformation of the Black Panther Party in Philadelphia. Paper presentation at the 2009 American Educational Research Association Conference: “Disciplined Inquiry: Education Research in the Circle of Knowledge,”
San Diego, California. (April 2009).
Gender and Resistance in Two Slave-based Societies. Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Caribbean Studies Association Conference: “The Caribbean: Embracing the Diasporas Within and Without,” San Andres Island, Colombia. (May 2008).
Rites of Passage: Journeying to Greatness in the Matrix of World Views. Presented at the Third Annual Multicultural Education Conference: “Responsive Public Space—Room for
Recognition,” Evansville, Indiana. (April 2008).
Sex Lies in a Hegemonic State: Examining Femininity in A House Divided and Xica da Silva.
Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Symposium: “Critical American Studies: Examining the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender,” West Lafayette, Indiana. (April 2008).
“Educational Plumbing”: Expanding Parameters to Clog the School-to-Prison Pipeline. Paper presented at the 22nd Annual Symposium: “Blacker Than Thou: Authenticity & Identity in the Diaspora,” West Lafayette, Indiana. (December 2006).
The Panthers of “Brotherly” Love: Examining the Philadelphia Chapter in Context. Paper presented at the Race, Roots, and Resistance Conference: “Revisiting the Legacies of Black Power,” Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. (March 2006).
The Panthers of “Brotherly” Love: Examining the Philadelphia Chapter in Context. Paper presented at the National Council for Black Studies Conference, Houston, Texas. (March 2006).
“Don’t Shake Me Off”: Men of Color’s Perspectives on Partnered-Relationships while
incarcerated. Paper presented at the 2005 Bergamo Conference, Dayton, Ohio. (October 2005).
The Family’s Child: Kinship Systems and the Crafting of Roles for Young Fathers in Low- Income African-American Families. Paper presented at the American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (August 2005).
Walking the Walk: Recruiting and Retaining Black Students in MFT programs. Research presented at the 61st Annual American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Conference, Long Beach, California. (October 2003).
Walking the Walk: Recruiting and Retaining Black Students in MFT programs. Research presented at the 60th Annual American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio. (October 2002).
Nontraditional Data Collection: Finding Hidden Cases of Rape and Sexual Assault in Minority Communities. Research presented at the 2nd Annual National Sexual Violence Prevention Conference, Chicago, Illinois. (May 2002).
VIII. Poster Presentations
MFT’s Role in the Lives of Incarcerated Men of Color. Poster session presented at the 62nd Annual American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Atlanta, Georgia. (September 2004).
Walking the Walk: Recruiting and Retaining Black Students in MFT programs. Poster session presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Family Therapy Academy, Miami, Florida.
(June 2003).
Teacher Involvement and Children’s Play in Inclusive and Self-Contained Preschool Classrooms.
(April 2002).
Concordance of Self-Perceived and Peer-Rated Peer Group Affiliation. Poster session presented at the Moore Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (MURAP), Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (July 2000).
IX. Consulting Experience
Alamance Chamber (December 2020). How to Manage a Difficult Conversation [Facilitator].
X. University Service
UNCG
School of Health & Human Sciences (HHS) Racial Equity Taskforce (2021).
School of Health & Human Sciences (HHS) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (2021).
Department of Peace & Conflict Studies Graduate Review Committee (2020-21).
Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program (Faculty Mentor) (2020).
XI. Community Engagement & Service Initiatives
NASM Personal Trainer; AFAA Group Exercise Instructor; Strong Nation® and Zumba®
Sentao Instructor; Water Works Instructor; and Gold’s Fit Coach for Gold’s Gym-Wendover.
Jamestown, North Carolina. (September 2016 to present).
Zoom-Ba/STRONG Nation Instructor: Fighting the Pandemic with Music and Movement.
Kernersville, North Carolina. (May 2020 to September 2020).
Fit Fun Youth Boot Camp Instructor for Gold’s Gym-Randleman’s Valentine’s Fit Bash.
Greensboro, North Carolina. (February 2020).
Fit Fun Youth Boot Camp Instructor for Gold’s Gym-Randleman’s Back to School Bash.
Greensboro, North Carolina. (August 2019).
Invited Alumni Panelist for the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Moore Undergraduate Research and Apprentice Program (MURAP). Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (July 2019).
Zumba Youth Instructor for “Center for New North Carolinians Summer Camp.” Greensboro, North Carolina. (June 2019).
Virtual Human Interaction Laboratory Tour Participant. Stanford, California. (May 2019).
Fit Fun Youth Boot Camp Instructor for Gold’s Gym-Randleman’s Spring Fling.
Greensboro, North Carolina. (May 2019).
Zumba Instructor for “Bella Hearts: 2nd Annual Zumbathon ‘Fight Against MS.’”
Greensboro, North Carolina. (February 2019).
Group Instructor for Weight Watchers Good (WWGood) Program. Greensboro, N.C. (October 2018).
“GGX Launch.” Group Fitness Instructor for Gold’s Gym-Wendover’s Breast Cancer Awareness Program. Jamestown, North Carolina. (October 2018).
“Superhero Read-A-Long.” Invited Reader/Speaker for the Childcare Network’s Superhero Week. Greensboro, North Carolina. (May 2018)
“Mindfulness and Self-Defense.” Invited Speaker/Presenter for the North Carolina Central University’s Men’s Achievement Center’s Leadership Series. Durham, North Carolina. (April 2018).
Panelist for “Spring into Guilford Program.” Greensboro, North Carolina. (April 2018).
Zumba Instructor for “Bella Hearts: Violet Rhythms Zumbathon ‘Fight Against Lymphoma.’” Greensboro, North Carolina. (February 2018).
Co-organizer and Instructor for “Zumbathon: Party in Neon Pink.” Jamestown, North Carolina. (September 2017).
Co-organizer and Instructor for “Zumbathon: Back-to-School Donation Jam.” Jamestown, North Carolina. (August 2017).
Emcee for Palmetto Health’s 2017 Teen Health Summit: “New Standard: Raising the Bar, Refusing to Conform.” Columbia, South Carolina. (June 2017).
Zumba Fitness Instruction Demonstration for the Senior Resources of Guilford’s “Senior Health Exposition.” Greensboro, North Carolina. (June 2017).
Invited Speaker for Guilford College’s Real Talk Session. Greensboro, North Carolina. (April 2017).
MMA/Karate Demonstration. Instructor for Young Men’s Christian Association’s Youth and Adult Karate Class. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (April 2017).
Invited Speaker/Presenter for the North Carolina Central University’s Men’s Achievement Center’s Leadership Series. Durham, North Carolina. (April 2017).
Samba Dance Fitness Instructor for the Girl Scouts’ World Thinking and Fitness Day.
Jamestown, North Carolina. (March 2017).
Invited Speaker for the North Carolina Central University’s Campus Recreation and the Men’s Achievement Center’s “Make You Wanna Holla” series. Durham, North Carolina. (July 2016).
NASM Certified Personal Trainer at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).
Orangeburg, South Carolina. (September 2014 to June 2016).
Group Personal Training, Kickboxing, Cardio-Strength, Zumba® Sentao, Aqua Zumba®,
Zumba® Basic Steps Core/Glutes, Land & Aqua Boot Camp, and H.I.I.T. Instructor at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Orangeburg, South Carolina. (March 2013 to June 2016).
Youth Karate Instruction Assistant (Volunteer) at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Orangeburg, South Carolina. (October 2012 to June 2016).
Emcee for the Palmetto Health and Silver Ring Thing Present: 2016 Teen Health Summit.
Columbia, South Carolina. (June 2016).
Zumbini/Zumba Kids Jr. Instructor for Bright Horizons’ Summer Kick Off. Columbia, South Carolina. (June 2016).
Zumbini/Zumba Kids Jr. Instructor for Bright Horizons’ Week of the Young Child. Columbia, South Carolina. (April 2016).
Zumba & MMA Demonstration. Presenter at Benedict College’s 27th Annual Harambee Festival.
Columbia, South Carolina. (February 2016).
Relaxing and Kicking Fit. Invited Presenter at the Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center Summer Youth Camp. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (July 2015).
Zumbini/Zumba Kids Jr./Zumba Kids Instructor for Bright Horizons’ Week of the Young Child.
Columbia, South Carolina. (April 2015).
Self-Defense Training for Women (Co-Trainer) at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Orangeburg, South Carolina. (October 2014).
Zumba® Basic Steps Instructor at the Benedict College Child Development Center. Columbia, South Carolina. (September 2014).
South Carolina State University Faculty Senate Vice President. Orangeburg, South Carolina.
(Spring 2013 to August 2014).
South Carolina State University’s Educational Policies Committee. Orangeburg, South Carolina.
(Fall 2013 to August 2014).
South Carolina State University Graduate Studies Secretary/Representative (Education).
Orangeburg, South Carolina. (Fall 2012 to August 2014).
Zumba® Sentao & Zumba® Basic Steps Instructor at Gold’s Gym. Orangeburg, South Carolina.
(January 2014 to August 2014).
Zumba Kids Jr. Instructor for S.C. State University’s Week of the Young Child. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (April 2014).
Panelist for Claflin University’s “Black Male Symposium: Black Male Achievement-Strategies and Techniques in Service Delivery to African American Males.” Orangeburg, South Carolina.
(February 2014).
Zumba® Instructor for Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated’s “Go Red for Women: Pink Goes Red for a Day 2014.” Orangeburg, South Carolina. (February 2014).
Keynote Speaker for Eau Claire High School’s “Second Quarter Academic Recognition Awards Ceremony. Columbia, South Carolina. (February 2014).
Zumba® Instructor for Dover Elementary School’s “Health and Fitness Seminar.” North, South Carolina. (February 2014).
Reader and Storyteller at the Child Development Learning Center (South Carolina State University). Orangeburg, South Carolina. (November 2013).
High Activity Resistance and Strength Hour (H.A.R.S.H.) Instructor at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Orangeburg, South Carolina. (October 2013 to January 2014).
Zumba® Kids & Zumba® Kids, Jr. Instructor for 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program at Felton Laboratory School. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (September 2013 to January 2014).
Pink Ribbon Awareness Zumbathon at Young Men’s Christian Association. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (October 2013).
Zumbathon at William J. Clark Middle School. Orangeburg, South Carolina (October 2013).
Tutor and Mentor for 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program at Felton Laboratory School. Orangeburg, South Carolina (Fall 2012 to Spring 2013).
South Carolina State University's Department of Education Recruitment Committee. Orangeburg, South Carolina (Fall 2011 to Spring 2013).
South Carolina State University Faculty Senate Representative (Education). Orangeburg, South Carolina (Fall 2010 to Spring 2013).
Invited Guest on New Perspectives: Radio with a Reason (WSSB 90.3 FM), Orangeburg, South Carolina (Fall 2012 to Spring 2013).
Judge for 21st Century After School Program: Chess Division. Orangeburg, South Carolina.
(February 2012; May 2012).
‘Scholar-Activism: From K to Greatness.’ Volunteer at S.C. State University’s Felton Laboratory School. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (January 2011 to May 2012)
Murdering Greatness. Invited Black History Month Guest Speaker for Alcorn Middle School.
Columbia, South Carolina. (February 2012)
A Dialogue on the Keys to Future Success. Invited Guest Co-Speaker for Kestrel Heights School.
Durham, North Carolina. (December 2011)
Transitioning to College Life. Invited Guest Speaker for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Trio Upward Bound Program. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (July 2011)
Emollit Mores Nec Sinit Esse Feros: Become the Innovator, not the Imitator. Invited Keynote Speaker for the University of South Carolina’s 2011 Upward Bound Bridge Banquet. Columbia, South Carolina. (June 2011)
‘Riting Beyond the Paper’: Tools for Establishing a Master Thesis for Life. Invited Speaker at the Black Males Project’s “Writing for Success” Initiative at South Carolina State University.
Orangeburg, South Carolina. (March 2011).
Summerton Dolls: Motivational Strategies to Enhance Educational and Social Greatness for Clarendon County Youth. Invited Guest Speaker for Liberty Hill A.M.E. Church Lay
Organization’s Black History Month Program. Summerton, South Carolina. (February 2011).
Ballin’ is a Habit: Financing Self During Troubled Times. Presenter at the Alpha Phi Alpha- Omicron Iota Lambda Chapter’s Youth Mentorship Session. Columbia, South Carolina.
(February 2011).
Facilitator for S.C. State University’s Social Graces’, “How to Be a Lady” forum. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (February 2011).
Follow Your North Star: Statistics are Good, But You are Greater. Invited Speaker for the Indiana Black Exposition Youth Empowerment Summit’s, “Not Another Teen Statistic,”
Indianapolis, Indiana. (July 2010).
The Road to ‘A Milli’: Financing your future education. Invited Speaker for the Indiana Black Exposition Youth Empowerment Summit’s, “Not Another Teen Statistic,” Indianapolis, Indiana.
(July 2010).
Facilitator for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated-Omicron Iota Lambda Chapter’s Junior Alpha Academy Program. (November 2009 to April 2010).
Families Linked Against Violent Activities (Project FLAVA). Orangeburg, South Carolina.
(October 2009 to May 2010).
The Haiti in Me…Road to Liberation or Re-enslavement. Invited Speaker for the University of South Carolina’s Upward Bound Program: The African-American Experience-Mind, Body, and Soul. Columbia, South Carolina. (February 2010).
Motivating Ourselves to Greatness: Skills to Prepare for College and Life. Guest Speaker for Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School’s 1000 Club. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (January 2010).
Skills to Tapping into Your Inner Millionaire. Presenter at the Alpha Phi Alpha, Incorporated- Omicron Iota Lambda Chapter’s Youth Mentorship Workshop. Columbia, South Carolina.
(January 2010).
Successfully Navigating Through Politics in Your Program. Presenter at S.C. Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists’ “Lifting as We Climb: Preparing Our Future Practitioners and Scholars for Excellence” Conference. Columbia, South Carolina. (September 2009).
Invited Guest on Community Insight Radio (94.5 FM), Orangeburg, South Carolina
“Preparing Our Youth for the Next Level in Education” (August 2009).
“The State of Our Unions: Being Married, Staying Married, and the Keys to a Successful Marriage” (July 2009).
The Black Brand of Greatness. Presenter at the 39th Annual Indiana Black Exposition Youth Empowerment Summit. Indianapolis, Indiana. (July 2009).
Education Saved My Life. Co-Presenter at the 39th Annual Indiana Black Exposition Youth Empowerment Summit. Indianapolis, Indiana. (July 2009).
South Carolina State University Color Guard Judge. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (April 2009).
Burdened by Age: Human Uplift Through Socially Transformative Education. Presenter at Winthrop University’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s “Real Men, Road Call” Program. Rock Hill, South Carolina. (March 2009).
James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center’s “2009 FIRST Tech Challenge” hosted at South Carolina State University. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (February 2009).
Makin’ it rain today, while savin’ reign for tomorrow. Presenter at the Alpha Phi Alpha, Incorporated-Omicron Iota Lambda Chapter’s Youth Mentorship Workshop. Columbia, South Carolina. (February 2009).
The Road to “A Milli”: Financing Your Future Education. Presenter at the 38th Annual Indiana Black Exposition Youth Empowerment Summit. Indianapolis, Indiana. (July 2008).
Hear Know, Speak Know, and See Know: As the World Turns, ‘Evil’ Continues to Terrorize Our Youth. Co-Presenter at the 38th Annual Indiana Black Exposition Youth Empowerment Summit.
Indianapolis, Indiana. (July 2008).
XII. Open Forums/Discussions
Virtual Panelist for Iroquois High School’s Black History Month “What It Means to be Black in Today’s America” Panel. Louisville, Kentucky (February 2021).
Panelist for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated-Alpha Lambda Chapter’s “Nobody’s Perfect” (Relationship Forum). Orangeburg, South Carolina. (October 2013).
Hip-Hop, Higher Education, and Counter-Culture. Invited Panelist for the Traditions of the Griot: A Public Conversation on the Impact of Hip Hop Aesthetics in Contemporary Discourse.
Orangeburg, South Carolina. (February 2013).
Panelist for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated-Beta Sigma Chapter’s Business and AKAnomics Forum. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (September 2012).
Planning for Future Success. Open discussion via Skype with Youth Taking a Stand for the King (Y-TASK)-Indianapolis, Indiana. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (September 2012).
Panelist for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated-Beta Delta Chapter’s College Relationship Forum. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (September 2012).
Facilitator for the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC) 6th Annual Gathering of Leaders Conference. Durham, North Carolina. (April 2012).
Panelist for the University of South Carolina’s Ronald E. McNair Scholars’ Program: Road to Graduate School. Columbia, South Carolina. (June 2011).
Panelist for S.C. State University’s Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s
“Enough is Enough: Stop Domestic Violence Forum.” Orangeburg, South Carolina. (April 2011).
Panelist for S.C. State University Chapter’s Sophomore Class’ 1st Annual “Mars vs. Venus: Battle of the Sexes Sex Forum.” Orangeburg, South Carolina. (February 2011).
Waiting for “Superman” (2010). Video discussion held at S.C. State University’s I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (February 2011).
MLK: The “Death” We Thought We Knew. Invited Keynote Speaker for Vincennes University’s 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet. Vincennes, Indiana. (January 2011).
Panelist for the University of South Carolina’s Ronald E. McNair Scholars’ Program: Road to Graduate School. Columbia, South Carolina. (June 2010).
Panelist for S.C. State University Chapter’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s “Gender Roles in the Black Family Structure.” Orangeburg, South Carolina.
(April 2010).
Bastards of the Party (2005). Video discussion held at S.C. State University’s I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium: Orangeburg, South Carolina. (April 2010).
When Machetes and Vaginas Wield Power: Representations of Liberation Acts in ‘Burn!’ and
‘Xica da Silva.’ S.C. State University’s College of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Committee’s Faculty Brown Bag Lecture Series: Orangeburg, South Carolina. (March 2010).
The Black Panthers’ Search for Justice: Passin’ It On (2006). Video discussion held at S.C. State University’s I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium: Orangeburg, South Carolina. (February 2010).
The Mis-Education of the Negro (1990/1933). Book discussion held at S.C. State University’s K.W. Green Student Center Bulldog Lounge: Orangeburg, South Carolina. (February 2010).
Malcolm X: Make It Plain (1994). Video discussion held at S.C. State University’s I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium: Orangeburg, South Carolina. (February 2010).
Moderator for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People-S.C. State Chapter’s “Black Relationship” forum. Orangeburg, South Carolina. (November 2009).
Facilitator for the Cradle to Prison Pipeline® Summit A Call to Action: A Role for Everyone.
Columbia, South Carolina. (October 2009).
Panelist for the University of South Carolina’s Ronald E. McNair Scholars’ Program: Road to Graduate School. Columbia, South Carolina. (June 2009).
Moderator for the “Black Cultural Center’s Talks,” Class Prejudice within the Black Community:
is this the New Internal Threat?” West Lafayette, Indiana. (October 2006).
Panelist for Tau Phi Sigma’s “Racism” Forum. West Lafayette, Indiana. (September 2006).
Achieving Goals: The Scholarly Accomplishments of MURAP’s Past and Present Participants.
Discussant at the 12th Annual Moore Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (MURAP) Academic Conference, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (July 2006).
Talkin’ and Testifyin’: The Philadelphia Chapter of the Black Panther Party. Research presented at the Black Cultural Center, West Lafayette, Indiana. (April 2006).
Understanding the Role of Rites of Passage in Enhancing Student Survival. Research presented at Prison-Care: Communication, Action, Research & Education, Chicago, Illinois. (November 2004).
A Discussion with African, Asian, Latino, and Native Americans (AALANA) Marriage and Family Therapists. Presentation at the 62nd Annual American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Atlanta, Georgia. (September 2004).
The Road to Graduate School. Presented at the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Leadership Conference, West Lafayette, Indiana. (September 2003).
XIII. Awards & Fellowships
Kenan Grant for Improvement of Teaching (Greensboro, N.C.) (October 2016)
Summer Excellence Research Opportunity Grant (Orangeburg, S.C.) (April 2013)
Institute for International Public Policy Faculty Fellowship (Washington, D.C.) (June 2010)
Outstanding Dissertation Award—American Educational Research Association (April 2009)
Youth Ministry Award for Leadership and Service (Lafayette, Indiana) (April 2008)
College of Education Graduate Student Travel Award, Purdue University (April 2008)
Essay Scholarship—Association of Black Psychologists (Chicago Chapter) (June 2007)
Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship, Purdue University (July 2007)
Purdue Research Foundation Grant, Purdue University (May 2007)
Howard G. McCall Leadership and Service Award, Purdue University (April 2006)
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists’ Minority Fellowship (October 2003)
Outstanding Master’s Student Award, Purdue University (April 2003)
Beulah Gillaspie Outstanding Master’s Student Award, Purdue University (April 2003)
Riker Fellowship, Purdue University (September 2001)
XIV. Professional Organizations
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
XV. Academic & Administrative Certifications and Trainings
TD Ameritrade Certificate of Achievement: Trading Options Course (May 2020)
Ask, Listen, and Refer: Suicide Prevention Certification (December 2018)
Guilford College’s Preventing Discrimination and Sexual Violence: Title IX VAWA and Clery Act for Faculty and Staff (November 2016)
Advising is Teaching: Fostering Self-Directed Learners (August 2015)
Metacognition: Creating Self-Directed Learners (August 2015)
New Director’s Training (SC-CCCCD) (May 2015)
First Response Safety Training—Bloodborne Pathogens (January 2015)
S.C. Certified Child Care Trainer (January 2015)
Making Positive Guidance More Effective (Midlands Technical College Continuing Education) (November 2014)
South Carolina Department of Education—Expanded Educator Support and Evaluation: Student Learning Outcomes Training (September 2014)
Child and Adult Care Food Program—2014 Annual Training (September 2014)
Child and Adult Care Food Program (September 2014) o Menu Planning & Record Keeping
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (November 2013)
Hands-On Math & Reading for the Common Core Training (August 2013)
Protecting Human Research Participants Certification (March 2013)
Enhancing Services for Students with Disabilities Training (July 2011; July 2009)
XVI. Health & Fitness Certifications, Licenses and Trainings
American Red Cross’s Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Certification (February 2021;
March 2019)
National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS)-Concussion Training (September 2020)
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-Personal Training Certification (July 2020; June 2018; June 2016; July 2014)
Zumbini™License (March 2020; November 2013)
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)-Group Exercise Instructor (September 2019; 2017; 2015; 2013)
AFAA Kickboxing: Skills and Drills (August 2019)
Zumba® Toning License (July 2018)
Zumba® Gold License (July 2018)
Gold’s Gym-Bootcamp Training Certification (October 2017)
STRONG by Zumba® Certification (July 2017)
AFAA Injury Prevention Certification Series 4: Lower Body (July 2017)
AFAA Injury Prevention Certification Series 3: The Spine (June 2017)
AFAA Injury Prevention Certification Series 2: Upper Body (June 2017)
AFAA Injury Prevention Certification Series 1: Understanding Injuries (June 2017)
American Heart Association’s Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) & First Aid Certification (May 2017; May 2015; May 2013)
Gold’s Gym-Gold’s Fit Coach Certification (September 2016)
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-Fitness Nutrition Specialization (June 2016)
Redwoods Institute Training—Child Sexual Abuse Prevention (April 2016; October 2014)
Redwoods Institute Training—Bloodborne Pathogens (April 2016; November 2014)
Praesidium’s Armatus Abuse Prevention Certification (January 2016)
First Fighting Obesity: A Practical Approach (AFAA) (February 2015)
Response Safety Training—Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) & First Aid (January 2015)
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-Balance Training (September 2014)
Redwoods Institute Training—Appropriate Touch (October 2014)
My Fit/Mobile Fit Training (August 2014)
Aqua Zumba® (March 2014)
Zumba® Core Certification (March 2014)
Zumba® in the Circuit Training (February 2014)
Zumba® Glutes Certification (January 2014)
Young Men’s Christian Association-Group Exercise Instructor Certification (December 2013)
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America-Kickboxing Training (September 2013)
Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Training (September 2013)
Zumba Kids + Zumba Kids, Jr.® (formerly Zumbatomic®) License (May/August 2013)
Zumba® Sentao License (July 2013)
Zumba® Basic Steps 1 License (January 2013)
