SIETAR EUROPA CONGRESS 2005
SESSION PROPOSAL
Respectfully Submitted by Kelli McLoud-Schingen
Title:
“Anything But Black” (A Narrative)
Abstract:
“There was a time when I wanted to be anything but black…”
Unfortunately this statement has been uttered from the mouths of
many African Americans and this narrative is an exploration of one
woman’s journey to self-love. The character shares funny, painful
and enlightening moments in her life when she received messages
about blackness and how that shaped her perception of herself and
others.
Presenter Information:
Kelli McLoud-Schingen
Texas A & M University – Dept. of Multicultural Services
skelaine@aggieculture.tamu.edu or kelli@treasureculture.biz
www.treasureculture.biz
979.845.5441 work, 832.746.3447 mobile, 713.455.9569 home
530 Rivergrove Dr., Houston, TX 77015 – USA
SIETAR Houston President Elect 2005-2006 Program year
SIETAR USA Board Member (Chair of Outreach and Diversity)
Previous SIETAR Presentations: “Archie Bunker’s
Neighborhood,” Portland, OR SIETAR USA Conference 2002.
“Anything but Black” and “Archie Bunker’s Neighborhood”
Austin, TX SIETAR USA Conference 2003. “The Diversity of
Diversity (with Alan Richter)” Indianapolis, IN SIETAR USA
2004.
Session Length & Format: 90 Minutes: Artistic Expression/Performance (Narrative)
Brief Bio:
Kelli McLoud-Schingen is an independent consultant who
specializes in Domestic Diversity. Kelli is also a Diversity
Education Specialist for Texas A & M University office of
Multicultural Services. She has studied theatre at the Oxford
School of Drama, Roosevelt University and Aurora University.
She holds an M.A. in Cross Cultural Studies from the University of
Houston, Clear Lake, and a B.A. in Communications from Aurora
University.
Target Audience:
All levels of experience.
Areas of Professional Interest: Higher Education, Training,
Domestic Diversity, Global Diversity, Culture/Country Specific,
Communication/Dialogue.
Equipment:
None
Room Size and Set Up:
Number of Participants: 25-30
Room set-up: Theatre Style with one chair at the front of the room
Session Description:
Title: “Anything but Black” (A Narrative)
Focus: Keeping the theme of “Your Culture, My Culture, Our
Opportunity” in mind, this theatre performance piece examines the
struggles of an African American woman making peace with the
legacy of slavery and being of African decent in America today.
Intercultural theories addressed include, but are not limited to, the
concepts of marginalization, otherness, stranger and individualistic
v. collectivistic culture within a culture. This narrative is an
example of how one can become introspective on their life
experience to begin the process of healing racism. Research used:
“Healing Racism in America” by Nathaniel Rutstein and
“Intercultural Communication” by Everett M. Rogers and T.M.
Steinfatt.
Learning Goals: Participants will leave with an understanding of
how the history of 400 years of oppression for the black person in
America still has many African Americans in a mental bondage of
internalized racism and self-oppression. The purpose of this
presentation is to show the different ways in which that
internalized oppression plays itself out.
Main Points/Key Content: This presentation is a dramatization of
several life experiences of the author based on the messages she
received in her life about being black and blackness in general. It
is an intimate look at how one African American woman came full
circle from wanting to be anything but black to not wanting to be
anything but black.
Methodologies: 75 % drama, 15 % discussion, 10% lecture.
Why it’s important: As Cross Cultural or Intercultural Consultants
we need to know how the history and legacy of racism manifests
itself in a people and a nation. This presentation will entertain and
educate while focusing on the subject of internalized racism and
how this disease of racism directly affects how African Americans
view themselves, how they feel others view them and their ability
to communicate effectively in cross cultural environments.
Presenter Biography:
Briefly:
Experience:
Education:
Expertise:
Providing Diversity related programs for
educational institutions for over 15 years and over
20 years of theatre performance.
M.A. in Cross-Cultural Studies, University of
Houston, Clear Lake
B.A. in Communication, Minor: Theatre, Aurora
University
Graduate Level Musical Theatre Training,
Roosevelt University
Graduate Level Theatre Training, Oxford School of
Drama
This piece was written and conceptualized by Kelli
who researched the topic extensively as well as
draws from her personal experience. Kelli has
performed this presentation to several organizations
and educational institutions.
Kelaine (Kelli) McLoud-Schingen
Biographical Sketch
Kelli McLoud-Schingen is independent Consultant/Trainer who specializes in Domestic
Diversity, Cross-Cultural Communication, Healing Racism, Teambuilding, Conflict
Resolution and Mediation. She has provided training, presentations and workshops
primarily for educational institutions for 15 years.
Currently a Diversity Education Specialist at Texas A & M University, Kelli is also a
professional mediator certified by the State of Texas, she 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.
Kelli has 15 years experience in Student Affairs. She has worked at several different
institutions in three different states and has had the opportunity to work in various
facets of student development. At each university where she was employed she
facilitated and presented workshops and seminars for Student Affairs professionals and
students at conferences, Student Orientation, Resident Assistant and Hall Council
Training.
She has been a guest presenter and Keynote speaker at several different institutions
including, but not limited to, Edinboro University in Erie, PA, Drake University in Des
Moines, IA, and Galena Park High School in Houston, TX.
In her previous positions in the college setting, she hired, trained and supervised a
diverse staff as well as advised ethnic and international student organizations. Through
her work with these student organizations, she was able to keep her finger on the pulse
of young people and their “position” on issues of diversity.
Kelli is also an accomplished actor and director with several theatrical credits to her
name as a result of performances in Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston and Oxford,
England. As a graduate candidate for a MFA in Theatre from Roosevelt University, Kelli
had the opportunity to live and study theatre in Oxford England. She has traveled
extensively in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe. English is her first language and
she has studied Spanish.
Kelli is a member of the Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research –
Houston where she holds the title of 2005-2006 President Elect and also currently a
Board Member for the Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research –
USA, American College Personnel Administrators (ACPA), the Center for the Healing of
Racism and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.