Connecting People, Communities, and Businesses through African-American History and Culture
Michelle Carr Clawson, Ph.D.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
“To do a good thing in the world, first you must know who you are and what gives meaning to your life.” – Robert Browning
Michelle Carr Clawson, affectionately known as Ngozi (Blessing), is a native of the Historic Triangle in Virginia, writer, researcher, bibliophile, and intrigued about the history and culture of people of African descent. She holds a Doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership and Human Resource Development and Certificate of Advance Graduate Studies in Leadership from Regent University, Master’s in Business Administration from Averett University, and Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampton University. Michelle is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in Publishing at the George Washington University.
A former columnist for the Colonial Williamsburg Journal, creator and editor of Colonial Williamsburg’s Broken Chains newsletter, editor of a self-published magazine, Reflections, and editorial assistant for the Daily Press, she brings her passion to share her research and knowledge through her writing. She has worked in tourism, museums, P-K12 and post-secondary education, corporate, and publishing. Michelle’s entire educational and professional career has prepared her for the opportunity to launch — In A Different Tongue.
Michelle desires to tell the “other half” of the story — history that may not be written in books. As Jim Rohn states: “If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn’t need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around.” She wants to provide an opportunity for others to tell their stories, share their talent, and encourage their learning. Michelle is the epitome of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Michelle is passionate about helping others, encouraging the voice of the voiceless, and cheering on the underdog. She always says, “It’s not about me! It’s bigger than me! It’s about you!” In her spare time, Michelle enjoys writing, reading mysteries, photography, traveling, swimming and cycling, going to the movies, discussing topics on leadership, and spending time with family and friends.
Dmitri Clawson
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Dmitri Clawson, affectionately known as Ikenna (God’s Strength) Love, is a percussionist. He was introduced to his instruments over 25 years ago. He was taught by master drummers from Senegal, Washington, D.C., and local drummers of the Hampton Roads area. Along with traditional African drumming, he was exposed to culture and customs of Afrikan drummers who composed the international rhythms. Although he never traveled to Afrika, Afrika came to him.
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Ikenna Love was the lead drummer of the dance group called Pamoja Dada. He has performed with Rhythms of Africa, Ezibu Muntu, and Sawabi. He has played at many venues in the United States to include:
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Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Virginia
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Lead Drummer of CD recording, From Ear to Ear, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
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Javits Convention Center in New York City, New York
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Hampton University Terpsichoreans
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Performance for several public and private schools in Chicago, Illinois; San Francisco, California; and the Hampton Roads areas
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Hampton Coliseum and Norfolk Scope
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Many cultural festivals/events and local television stations.
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Ikenna Love is considered to be an elite drummer among his peers in the Hampton Roads area. He enjoys playing, teaching, and studying his craft. His passion is to share love through his music.
Harvey Bakari
The Illustrator
This drawing depicts Harvey Bakari as a military reenactor representing Dunmore's Royal Ethiopian Regiment at the Battle of Great Bridge. With pride, he wore the sash, "Liberty to Slaves," as they reenacted the enslaved men who fled bondage and took up arms with the British troops in Chesapeake, Virginia, in the fall of 1775. During Harvey’s 23 years of interpreting African and African American history and culture at the nation's largest living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, he was able to exercise his creativity. Harvey was a costumed history interpreter, program manager, staff and building manager, researcher, trainer, lecturer, and representative of African American programs, nationally and abroad. Now, In A Different Tongue allows him to return to his roots as a visual artist.
To continue sharing his knowledge of early African American history, Harvey has formed Bakari PH360 Historical Consulting LLC. Services offered include engaging and interactive public lectures and presentations; history training classes for staff, volunteers, and educators; program development of historic buildings, sites, tours, military reenactments; and consultation for African American programs and exhibitions. Clients include the general public, museums, historic sites, schools, colleges, universities, non-profit and civic organizations, and diversity programs.
The history of Africa, Europe, the transatlantic slave trade, slavery, religion, and the American Revolution are often controversial and sensitive topics. Harvey has the skill and experience to facilitate diverse audiences through uncomfortable and challenging subjects filled with paradoxes and contradictions. Education and encouraging constructive discourse with audiences of all ages is the mission of Bakari PH360.