Testimonials

We get great reviews!

Check out what our clients have to say about us.

"Dr. Crum has an efficient and effective way of taking the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion and breaking them down in a way that anyone can understand."

Museum Staff Training

"Dr. Crum is a consummate researcher and dynamic speaker who packs a lot of important insights into her instructional time. Her presentation to Wexner Center staff was accessible to people on lots of different levels and we all walked away with practical tools to move our dialogue forward as a team. I especially appreciated her deep incorporation of fundamental skills in arts education: analyzing visual culture can both reveal the sources of our biased viewpoints as well as provide a pathway for understanding multiple truths."

 

Shelly C.

Director of Education

Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, Ohio


  • "You have a lovely way of 'holding a mirror up' to your audience..."

    Oh I did so enjoy your workshop at CMA [Columbus Museum of Art Creativity Summit] recently! OK, so enjoy may not be the precise word since sometimes you made me aware of some things I say or do that are not so attractive which was more uncomfortable than enjoyable. But I am glad for it. You have a lovely way of “holding a mirror up” to your audience, me, to reveal what my words or actions might sound like to others. But you do it in such a kind, non-judgmental way, that I didn’t leave feeling defensive or crappy. I left your session feeling more aware and thoughtful about some small things I can change or do differently to be more inclusive and generous to people different than me. I’ve learned that it takes a lot of courage and mindfulness to be non-judgmental. I applaud you for modeling that for the rest of us!


    Merilee M.

    Chief Engagement Officer

    Columbus Museum of Art

  • "It was so refreshing to see how engaged the staff were..."

    Mosaic Education Network exceeded my expectations. I was so pleased with the content, presentation, delivery and the overall knowledge that was shared by Dr. Crum. I received so many positive comments from the staff how they really enjoyed the training. It was so refreshing to see how engaged the staff were and how Dr. Crum appealed to everyone's intellect and for that, I am grateful. I would not hesitate working with them again and I highly recommend other organizations to do the same.


    -  Sandy M., Cleveland Museum of Natural History

  • "Melissa provided an excellent framework with which to explore the biases in our workplace."

    Melissa provided an excellent framework with which to explore the biases in our workplace. She provided a lot of great questions that one think of their own implicit biases and how they can impact our day to day. The workshop provided a productive environment for us to come together as a staff and make strides for improvements for ourselves and our museum’s guests.


    Participant

    - Museum of International Folk Art , Santa Fe, NM

  • "Her focus on storytelling through art—the core mission of our organization—helped our staff see themselves working collectively..."

    Dr. Melissa Crum offers a very accessible and uplifting approach to DEI work, one grounded in critical scholarship and humanistic inquiry. Her focus on storytelling through art—the core mission of our organization—helped our staff see themselves working collectively within this framework, questioning our power as storytellers to support, complicate, or dismantle the master narratives that drive our society and often narrow our perception. With great empathy and humor, she shared useful tools for interpretation, not only for art within the context of cultural history, but also for the more intimate and value-laden stories we tell about ourselves and those around us.


     Participant

    - Museum of International Folk Art , Santa Fe, NM

  • "She created a safe educational environment that allowed our group to better understand how social structures and narratives impact us daily ..."

    Melissa’s inclusive approach to delivering the content of the training session was fantastic. She created a safe educational environment that allowed our group to better understand how social structures and narratives impact us daily and are embedded within our interactions and views. Her approach to diversity and inclusion training truly helped us recognize the strengths and limitations of one’s own worldview in communication with others.


    Participant

    - Museum of International Folk Art , Santa Fe, NM

K-12 School District

Professional Development

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Dr. Crum's breakout session and keynote address. Dr. Crum did an excellent job of creating a safe space to discuss a sensitive topic. I wish there was an opportunity for a full-day training because I left both sessions wanting more. Since I belong to a marginalized population in the United States, I was appreciative of being in a space that acknowledged my experience. It was also nice to witness the beginning phases of barriers being removed from the blind spots of some colleagues who were less in tune with the experiences of others." 

Johnel A., School Psychologist

  • "Dr. Crum's workshop invited me into one of the more thoughtful explorations of my own identity I've ever experienced. "

    Dr. Crum's workshop invited me into one of the more thoughtful explorations of my own identity I've ever experienced. I left the session having thought in powerful ways about who I am as a teacher—and about how a greater awareness of my own story will better equip me to help students flourish in expressing their stories. And while I know that the English teacher in me was particularly drawn to Dr. Crum's emphasis on stories, the reflection involved in her workshop would make any teacher a better educator. 


    Kevin M. (he/him)

    English Teacher, Student Council Advisor, BARC Advisor

    Grandview Heights High School



  • "Being able to attend a workshop with Dr. Crum was transformative."

    Being able to attend a workshop with Dr. Crum was transformative. I loved that I could apply the tools she offered in both my professional and personal life. I felt connected to her passion. I would recommend anyone with a chance to attend one of her workshops to jump at the opportunity. 


    Jenny C. (she/her)

    5th Grade English Language Arts/Social Studies 

    LARSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 

  • "a captivating speaker..."

    Dr. Crum is a captivating speaker. She delivered a message about a sensitive topic in a candid and comfortable manner. Dr. Crum helped us understand our implicit biases and provided a starting point to continue the conversation.


    Tom B., Principal

  • "her presentation provided a 'brave space'"

    Dr. Crum carefully crafted a meaningful experience to allow for individual and shared reflection into how our implicit bias shapes our view of the world and the space we live in.  Her presentation provided a "brave space" that made it comfortable to take an in-depth look at how our unique background influences us today.  -


    Allison K.

    Reading Specialist 

    Stevenson Elementary

  • "extremely engaging and interactive..."

    Dr. Crum's presentations (keynote and breakout session) were extremely engaging and interactive. The break out session really challenged me to think critically about myself, my own implicit biases and what I need to do to be a better teacher for my students.  They say the best growth comes when you are pushed out of your comfort zone and this presentation definitely did that.


    Kimberly C., Intervention Specialist


  • "full of energy and enthusiasm..."

    Dr. Crum was our keynote speaker at our district's professional development.  What a great way to start the new year!  Dr. Crum is full of energy and enthusiasm.  Her message was engaging and inspiring for our staff.


    Tammy H., Teacher


  • "amazing to work with..."

    Dr. Crum was amazing to work with! She listened to the needs of our district and was able to tailor her message to our staff perfectly. Both her keynote and breakout sessions were thought-provoking and challenged our staff to be better educators for ALL students.


    Lisa K., District Administrator


  • "something our district has needed for a long time..."

    Dr. Crum's presentation was something our district has needed for a long time! Her conversational style captivated her audience, while providing many facts, realizations, and helpful tips. I am excited to see the impact Dr. Crum's presentation has among our staff as we continue to strive to honor and include all students!


    Jenny V., English Learner Teacher


  • "the information was accessible and helpful for everyone."

    Dr. Crum's workshop was engaging and productive for all staff members. From those of us who have engaged in this work previously to staff members who have just started to reflect on implicit bias, the information was accessible and helpful for everyone.


    Bethany B. (she/her) 

    English Teacher, Yearbook Advisor, Green Dot Advisor

    Grandview Heights High School.

HR Professional Training

"Dr. Crum has an efficient and effective way of taking the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion and breaking them down in a way that anyone can understand. She's also not above challenging her audience to think critically about what they believe and why they believe it. If you need someone to help you/your organization better understand and effectively discuss issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Crum is a great person to lead you through that process."
 
Dante F.
Talent Director
United Schools Network

  • "a refreshing take on diversity and inclusion..."

    Dr. Melissa Crum had a refreshing take on diversity and inclusion.  I appreciated her perspective as it related to inclusion in an organization and the impact to people on an individual basis.

     

    Mica F.

    Supportive Services Manager, Office of Business & Economic Opportunity

    ODOT Division of Opportunity, Diversity, and Inclusion


  • "able to put things in an easy to relate way..."

    What a terrific conference!  One of the highlights for me was Dr. Melissa Crum!  Her presentation was clear, filled with humor and gave me a path that I could immediately put into practice.  She was able to put things in an easy to relate way which gave me more tools with which to focus on for my organization. Thank you again for a great conference!  


    Denise G.

    Outreach & Inclusion Manager

    Elford, Inc. 

  • "I am confident to hold meaningful conversations upon returning to my company...

    Dr. Melissa Crum is a phenomenal diversity practitioner and educator. I have been fortunate enough to have seen Dr. Crum present on diversity topics at both the Ohio State University and the Human Resources Association of Central Ohio, where I have learned about numerous subjects regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion that I am confident to hold meaningful conversations upon returning to my company. Her vast knowledge in this arena have led to invaluable discussions stemming from her guidance. I look forward to working with her at future events


    Mia W., PHR, SHRM-CP

    Workforce Diversity Analyst

    ODOT Human Resources Division


Gallery Educator and K-12 Visual Art Teacher Professional Development  


"Melissa and Keonna’ s session on their Multicultural Critical Reflective Practice allowed the Crow  Collection of Asian Art’s Gallery Educators and education department staff to start thinking about their teaching in important new ways. Gallery Educators are the museum’s part-time, paid staff who teach school tours and other educational programs. They were already skilled at critical thinking (both doing so themselves and prompting other to do so), and are in the habit of reflecting with their peers after tours. But now, thanks to Melissa and Keonna’s training, they have a shared language with which to discuss issues of multiculturalism and an interest in continuing that conversation. 


They had the opportunity to practice reflections and discussions, and they worked in groups to design a gallery talk about one object. In many cases, this exercise brought up as many questions as it answered, and that’s ok! The training sparked interest, made them question how they teach works of art at the Crow  Collection, and started a conversation that is continuing both at formal trainings and casually between educators as they compare notes."


Carolyn A., Educator Programs Manager, Crow Collection of Asian Art, Dallas, TX

  • "ability to facilitate difficult discussions about significant societal issues..."

    I cannot speak more highly about Melissa and Keonna’s ability to facilitate difficult discussions about significant societal issues in a way that helps participants feel able to question how the privileges they do and do not enjoy shapes how they experience and understand the world. As an educator given the responsibility to interpret and discuss artworks from cultures to which I do not belong, their Multicultural Critical Reflective Process is essential for me unpacking the values I hold and becoming more aware of how I might overlay them onto the discussions I facilitate. As I continue with the process, I know it will help me, and the museum’s entire staff of educators, be more thoughtful and more respectful of the works of art and audiences with which I work.


    Anne K., School Programs Manager, Crow Collection of Asian Art

  • " truly a highlight of the year..."

    Melissa and Keonna’s interactive session at The University of North Texas was truly a highlight of the year.  They brought warmth, humor, and embodied knowledge to our classroom, easing us into an exploration of multicultural critical reflective practice (MCRP) and how each of us might use this in our own work.  They offered us new approaches to teaching with cultural objects in ways that could be inclusive and caring.  We practiced with these ideas and felt encouraged and guided in non-judgmental and supportive ways by Melissa and Keonna.  We engaged in critical self-reflection, which was illuminating and essential for our class of future museum educators as they prepare to enter the field.  After this session with Melissa and Keonna, we all feel more equipped to teach with cultural objects in the MCRP approach and we are grateful for their wisdom and guidance in helping us to navigate this

    terrain.


    Dr. Laura E., Assistant Professor and Director of Art Museum Education Certificate, University of North Texas

  • "an exciting professional development opportunity for the Visual Arts Teachers..."

    Recently, the Crow Collection of Asian Art hosted an exciting professional development opportunity for the Visual Arts Teachers in Richardson ISD. The Crow brought in two guest lecturers, Melissa Crum and Keonna Hendrick to present on the subject of multiculturalism. The workshop expanded the art teachers understanding of self and  others through the interaction with the artifacts in the Crow Collection. The lecturers facilitated experiences that encouraged the learner to

    think critically about art and identity and culture while providing examples to transfer knowledge to the classroom to impact and shape forward-thinking students. The art teachers interacted and collaborated with each other to investigate possible curricular adjustments to their curriculum. This by far was very productive experience and beneficial to the teachers. Thank you Crow Collection of Asian Art for making this happen!


    Myron S., Director of Visual Arts K – 12, Richardson ISD

  • "I had the confidence to start the conversation on multiculturalism with my students..."

    On February 15, 2016, I had the opportunity to attend teacher training on multiculturalism with Melissa Crum and Keonna Hendrick.  I took many valuable lessons away from the training and it has further shaped my instruction in the classroom.  After the training, I had the confidence to start the conversation on multiculturalism with my students.  I began to share discussed topics with my students and they were excited to engage with one another as we discussed cultural appropriation, cultural exchanges and cultural assimilation. The interesting thing I found is that they were hungry to learn and embrace multiculturalism.  I was able to join them in the conversation not just lead it.  When teachers have the opportunity to move out of a power position and embrace student empowerment, it can yield

    amazing results.  


    John G.

    Allen High School- Visual Arts Department Head

    International Baccalaureate Visual Arts HL, SL

    Pre-AP/IB 3D Design Portfolio

    Jewelry Design II

"People felt secure in sharing and asking questions." 

Higher Education Training

"I had the pleasure of organizing an event on campus where Dr. Crum led a workshop for more than 50 people--most of them students majoring in education. The workshop encouraged conversations about sometimes thorny topics and people felt secure in sharing and asking questions. 


Dr. Crum's presentation included important background information as well as recent findings from multiple research projects around the country. The participants in our workshop have already shared with me how helpful they found the event and how happy they are that they attended.


I'm so happy to think of so many of our education majors going into the workforce with this foundation to inform their behavior with their students."


Judy C. N.

Director, Hannah V. McCauley Library at Ohio University Lancaster Pickerington

Professional Organizations

Dr. Crum was amazing.  She led our group through a thoughtful, interesting and entertaining workshop that led our participants to think about bias in new ways.  I loved that she used art and history as a way to introduce the concept of bias, because it caused us to think about bias from an entirely new perspective.


Jennifer B.

Ohio Women's Bar Association & Ohio Women's Bar Foundation


Dr. Crum is a phenomenal educator. She built a customized event for our members that took into account their varying skill sets and backgrounds while still pushing us to learn and lead. Her facilitation was genuine, engaging, and she deftly navigated controversial topics. She brought us closer as a team and I hope we find ways to continue partnering in the future.


Carlie B.

Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio

  • "I now understand and can begin to be part of the solution."

    "The history of race, racism, discrimination….how it came to be and how the human race has perpetuated and preserved it is shocking.  I could not recommend Dr. Crum more.  Her explanation of the history, the terms we all hear and use are liberating.  Healing begins with understanding.  I now understand and can begin to be part of the solution."

    - Frank E. , Karpinski Engineering

  • "We're coming away from our session with some new perspectives and question."

    "Dr. Crum's approach was refreshingly challenging while making our group feel that we could step into the brave space she established. We're coming away from our session with some new perspectives and questions that will help us expand the stories we tell ourselves about those with different experiences so our organization can support everyone better."

    - Jen J. DS Diagnosis Network

Professional development for supervisors, managers, designers, and HR specialists 
"Today’s leaders can no longer “wish away” or wait for someone else to engage their organizations about diversity and inclusion. Dr. Crum drove this point home and provided real world experiences and examples when dealing with implicit bias by using the multi-cultural, critical, reflective and practice (MCRP) professional development process."
 
Jay J., Director
Professional & Executive Education
Ohio University, Columbus, Ohio
Thank you Dr. Melissa Crum for your “Exploring Our Stories for Effective Change” workshop presented at the Winter SOTA Event. I appreciate the way you demonstrated your concept of “Brave Space” by allowing us to explore our own privileges without feeling judged or being judgmental of others. 
 
Carla W.
Training and Development Specialist
Office of the Controller
The Ohio State University

  • "I loved how she practices the concept of 'Brave Space'..."

    I recently had the opportunity to participate in the “Exploring Our Stories for Effective Change” workshop presented by Dr. Melissa Crum at the Winter SOTA Event. Dr. Crum expressively discussed how as facilitators and trainers we present from our own narrative. I loved how she practices the concept of “Brave Space” when collaborating. This is a powerful message that what we present may invoke differing stories based on individuals personal experiences. To be more inclusive we have to challenge the master narrative and bring awareness to our own personal blind spots. Thank you Dr. Crum for this powerful and inspiring message of diverse collaboration which in turn fosters greater performance and maximizes outcomes.

     

    Abbie F., HCMSA, Training Specialist

    Workforce Planning and Development

    Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

  • "a non-judgmental, refreshingly honest look at bias and the master narrative..."

    Dr. Melissa Crum’s presentation was a non-judgmental, refreshingly honest look at bias and the master narrative. She is an engaging and thought-provoking speaker, and created a safe space for us to look at our own privilege. As a trainer, I feel I now have more awareness of how my preconceptions and personal experiences can influence my material and the way I train to different learners. Thank you for a great workshop and for presenting it in a way that did not feel accusatory or incite defensiveness, but allowed for honest conversation and introspection.

     

    Sarah B., Training Officer

    General Services Division

    Ohio Department of Administrative Services


Health Care Providers

"After experiencing the expertise and energy of Dr. Melissa Crum at the Olentangy River School District inclusion conference, I knew we had to bring her to Kenyon College. In August (2018), we partnered with Mosaic Education Network to bring a Multicultural Critical Reflective Practice (MCRP) training to our Health & Counseling Center professional staff. This training was the first of several planned activities to educate and empower our staff to serve students whose narratives do not match their own. 

Our staff (mainly cis-gender white women and limited diversity) were encouraged to critically reflect on race and gender identities- our own and those of our increasingly diverse student population. The information presented was evidenced-based aligning higher education and public health best practices. Mosaic Education Network engaged our team through introspective assessment mapping, group activities, and honest dialogue. The impact of Dr. Crum’s training can still be felt in our Center and the “Assume Positive Intent” cards are still visible in staff’s offices. We will be inviting her back to our campus and highly recommend you do the same." 

Chris S.
Director of Health & Counseling
Kenyon College
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