At a higher level of thinking there’s always a solution.

Joining the internship program with StirFry Seminars and Consulting is the culmination of Michael’s ten-year relationship with the StirFry Family. The opportunity to have one-on-one mentoring, guidance, and support from master facilitators inspired him to take the next step in developing his craft as a race dialogue facilitator.

Growing up as a black man in American society, Michael learned how to “button things up nicely with white folks,” as Mun Wah would say. As a result of that behavior – also known as internalized racial oppression – he learned to take care of white people at the expense of his own well-being. Over the past two years the race dialogue program gave Michael the tools to articulate his feelings with a greater sense of awareness: to engage in a true dialogue, both parties have to take responsibility.

An educator for more than twenty-four years and an advanced EQ practitioner, Michael has observed how students thrive when educators are aware of social, emotional and cultural aspects within the classroom. He co-partners with organizations so faculty, staff, administrators, and executive leaders can engage in difficult conversations with compassion.

As a diversity executive, Michael also works with organizations to identify cultural competence gaps. Within this framework, he introduces an inclusion change model to reveal diversity’s value and presence at every level of organizational life.

Michael currently serves as the Director of Community Life at the Pike School in Andover, Massachusetts. He resides in New England with his wife and three children.