The Speakers

Dr. Pearson - aka Mama Beast - is a mother, activist, author, educator, speaker, poet, comedienne, cook, sourdough artist, and citizen of the world. She founded the Secret Kindness Agents Project and is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has been teaching humans of all ages for 20 years in the Omaha area. As a Kenyan Indian Muslim immigrant queer disabled woman of color, she is passionate about working towards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Kindness. She has received national and local awards for her work in education and social justice, has authored two books, and has been featured as a speaker on the TEDx Omaha stage. Her Secret Kindness Agents Project has been featured at Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, Hallmark, Parents Magazine, Learning for Justice website and magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, and more. Her goal is to make sure you know that you are loved and that you are enough just the way you are. She lives in Omaha with her spouse, two teenagers, and two guinea pigs.

The Power of Story and the Danger of Absence This session uses Dr. Pearson’s powerful storytelling as a vehicle for learning the importance of representation in learning empathy and broadening perspectives and how the absence of such representation leads to bigotry and discrimination. Dr. Pearson speaks about her experiences post 9/11 as well as more recently and explains why it is not only important to tell our stories, but also why we should listen to the stories of people who are different from us.

TRAUMA INFORMED EDUCATION Participants will learn how to understand the impact of trauma on students and create a list of strategies to use when working with students who have experienced trauma. Participants will also learn how to mitigate secondary trauma in themselves by creating a self-care action plan.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm Roanoke

SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND MENTEES WHO HAVE IMPOSTOR SYNDROME In this workshop, participants will learn how to recognize Impostor Syndrome in themselves and others, and which strategies to use to support students and/or mentees in overcoming it.

Thursday, April 7, 2022, 9:45 am - 10:45 am Roanoke

I am a multi-disciplinary artist, arts educator, career coach, and professional actor n Kansas City, MO. Currently working with acrylic paint and resin, I'm to share my latest artistic endeavor: fluid painting. I enjoy using different techniques such as a "dirty pour", "puddle pour", or "dutch pour" to create visual artwork. My curiosity brought me to the techniques of fluid art. I find it fits my creative style, skills, and energy. It's also challenging! I enjoy using bright, bold colors that attract the eye, bring smiles to faces, and give energy and joy. I consider myself a "green" painter by not wasting any paint. I often use the excess paint from a project in other ways or in other pieces of work. I do love to spend my time, energy, and free spirit being an educator, laughing, eating, painting, hanging with my pups, and giving back.

Join us for an interactive lunch where participants will embrace their creative type of amusement of art. Afterwards I'll be performing a live art piece which can be purchased through the MKN Silent Auction. All proceeds will be donated to the MKN Scholarship Fund.

Ronnell DuBose currently serves as the Director of Upward Bound Program at Purdue University Northwest. Prior to becoming the Director of Upward Bound, he served as the Assistant Director for Student Support Services for four years at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Ronnell has been connected with the Educational Opportunity Association through leadership opportunities such as the President of Indiana TRIO, EOA’s Emerging Leaders Institute, and incoming EOA President. Ronnell received his Master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University and his Bachelor’s degree in Management from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Higher Education from Ball State University. Ronnell is originally from Detroit, Michigan and a proud first-generation college student, who has a passion for creating opportunities for students to achieve success through education.

Presentation Documents:

EOA Updates -MKN Presentation