Kelli McLoud, professional mediator, actor and director
performed
“Anything but Black”
On Tue October 25th, 2011
"We shall overcome, someday”. Kelli McLoud-Schingen introduced her talk at UWC Adriatic by singing the song which became a key anthem of the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Thanks to Kelli’s powerful narrative, students had the possibility to reflect about an aspect of the College’s mission: “uniting people, nations and cultures”.
Kelli McLoud focused on her own story and social background. Born and raised in the neighborhoods of Chicago “where the whiter skin you had, the more popular you were”, she explained how she managed to free herself from stereotypes and fake “myths” of looks and race.
Her message revolves around the importance of accepting ourselves: “accepting the way we are, because we are just beautiful”. Kelli’s inspiring performance received a standing ovation from the entire audience.
On the speaker:
Born in 1969 in one of the “all-black” neighborhoods of Chicago, Kelli McLoud-Schingen is an expert of cross-cultural communication, professional mediator, actor and director. Her cultural background has been the key for being committed to cross-cultural understanding.
Kelli McLoud-Schingen’s work focuses on topics like racism, domestic diversity, conflict resolution and mediation with a special dedication to team-building and group dynamics. She developed different strategies and assisted academic institutions, private actors and governments through workshops, trainings and dramatic-narrative presentations.
“There was a time when I wanted to be anything but black”: one of her most celebrated narratives focuses on cross-cultural understanding and challenges the audience on global change responsibility.
