Diversity Speakers Bureau

As a resource to school teachers who are interested in enhancing cultural literacy among their students, the Cultural Competence Committee of the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development has created a Speakers Bureau. The individuals listed are willing to volunteer to come to your classroom to provide dynamic, interactive, positive presentations for your students. To arrange one of these individuals to speak in your class—please contact the person directly. If you have any questions or comments, contact Paul Olson at (906)228-8919 extension 29 or info@glcyd.org.

Barbara Michael	906-475-8255 bmichael@chartermi.net	Negaunee, MI
area of knowledge/expertise: Civil rights
type of experience: Barb was in Germany when the Berlin Wall came down and has given talks on this topic (includes slides). She has previously coordinated youth cultural competence projects such as the "Global Workplace Project" and "It's Your Move". She has participated in the annual Martin Luther King Reading Project for the last 6 years.
program offered: All ages

Bill Hill	906-361-2920 hilcoach@aol.com	Gwinn, MI
area of knowledge/expertise: "History of Hate, Race and Diversity in America," bullying, teacher preparation
program offered: All ages
why it's important to understand this culture: Teachers and students must be prepared to live in an increasingly global universe.

Damaris Garcia-Thompson	906-273-0341 dgarciat@nmu.edu	Marquette,
area of knowledge/expertise: Damaris was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She is a native Spanish speaker and is currently a graduate student at Northern Michigan University in the Dept. of Education. She also has life experience in Spain as part of her family still live there.
program offered: All ages
why it's important to understand this culture: Puerto Rico is part of the United States yet it is linguistally and culturally different from the rest of the mainland. Many people do not realize that Puerto Ricans are born U.S. Citizens.

Jaspal K. Singh	906-228-6609 jsingh@nmu.edu	Marquette, MI
area of knowledge/expertise: Culture and literature of Burma, South Asia, and Africa
type of experience: Jaspal has studied at University of Delhi and Agra University in India in addition to universities in the United States. She is an assistant professor at NMU.
program offered: Adult audiences

Judith Puncochar	906-225-1210 jpuncoch@nmu.edu	Marquette, MI
area of knowledge/expertise: The nature of prejudice and bias.
program offered: High school and adult audience

Mohey Mowafy	906-249-9133 mmowafy@nmu.edu	Marquette, MI
area of knowledge/expertise: Middle East issues
type of experience: Mohey is a nutrition professor at Northern Michigan University. He is from Egypt. He speaks on Middle East issues.
program offered: Adult audience

Tim J. Derwin	906-346-6292 mbderwin@chartermi.net	Gwinn, MI
area of knowledge/expertise: Native American Culture
type of experience: Tim is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, a member of Teal Lake Drum and Singers; 4 Thunders Drum; and American Indian Coordinating Council of Marquette County. Tim has made presentations on Native American Culture to elementary schools and high schools as well as to churches and senior citizens groups throughout Michigan and Wisconsin.
program offered: All ages