Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi, Ph.D., grew up in Africa, was educated in Europe, and has worked in the United States for the past 30 years.  Living in multiple cultures sharpened his curiosity and interest in understanding how cultures influence interactions among people.  He served the United States Peace Corps (USPC)–Africa Region for ten years as Chief Languages and Cross-Culture Coordinator.  

 

Emmanuel’s experience has taught him that detrimental intercultural human dynamics and ignorance of others’cultures often plays a bigger role than malice when dealing with racism issues. He embraces diversity and inclusion with impartiality and an open-mind.  Participants in his workshops comment that he creates a safe non-judgemental environment to discuss culture and race issues.

 

Emmanuel assists organizations in identifying unconscious biases, navigating their influences on interactions with others, and overcoming them in the workplace. In post George Floyd world, most people and organizations are now open to engaging in difficult and courageous conversations about race, discrimination and other forms of ‘oppression’. 

 

The National Endowment for the Humanities granted Emmanuel the National Foreign Language Fellowship Award, a distinction that allowed him to pursue research on games from around the world that are effective in the teaching and learning of cultures and languages.  As a result, he created Yan-koloba, a community and team-building activity rooted in the traditions and cultures of Africa. His recently released book is titled, Shocking Cultures: Hilarious and Disastrous Challenges of Foreign Workers in the USA. He has also authored numerous articles on cultures, equity, cultural diversity and inclusion. 

 

Based on his community involvement and volunteerism, the City Council and the Mayor selected him as the 2011 Outstanding Citizen of the Year for the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and the Missouri Municipal League awarded him the 2011 Missouri Civic Leadership Award.