About

I am a storyteller.

“Is that all your Hair?” That was the question I kept getting asked every time I would leave my Fulbright-Clinton Fellowship at the Ministry of Justice in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Women carrying mangoes, others driving in their car, would almost run me over inquiring as to how I got my hair to do what I did.  In trying to answer that question, I started documenting stories centered around identity, culture, history and community.  I even gave a TEDx talk entitled “Is That All Your Hair?

I am a facilitator.

I have facilitated trainings at Duke University, various US Embassies on topics ranging from gender equity to mindfulness. Working with schools and other organizations, I have facilitated and mediated difficult and challenging conversations to get to the root cause of the issue while finding a solution that is not only compassionate but equitable.

I am a cultural strategist.

Navigating differences can be complex depending on the audience. Having visited, lived and worked across multiple states and countries, I understand how to navigate these complexities and help others successfully understand and navigate them as well.

I am a healer & health Centered.

Mindfulness helped me cultivate a healthy mental state while I was in law school, navigating the turbulence of 100 page reading assignments and exams.  I became a certified mindfulness instructor and trainer through the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults to help those wanting to learn more about mindfulness. I lead, train and teach from the heart knowing that when healing is possible, change happens.

TEDx Duke - Is That All Your Hair?

Hair is identity and beauty, that can sometimes engender curiosity . It is a conversation that is both personal and political. Is That All Your Hair? explores both a personal and collective journey through hair and the ways in which it can be (un)familiar to oneself and one's community. Bibi Gnagno is an educator, wellness advocate, and mindfulness instructor.

Our Vision

Deep listening: We believe that if we listen deeply, folks will let us know what’s wrong and if we are willing to listen, we can find solutions based on the information that folks have shared.

Human-Centered Solutions: : Focus on how we’re building communities where folks feel like they can thrive at work.

Belonging: We want to make sure that folks feel seen, like they belong and matter especially when the work gets hard.

Truth-telling: Being able to tell the truth and be accountable leads to the growth, change and transformation desired.

Institutional Education

  • Smith College

  • New York University Graduate College of Arts and Science

  • North Carolina Central University School of Law

Global Experience

  • Africa - Fulbright Clinton Fellowship

  • Asia

  • Central America

  • Europe (Paris) - NYU

Research

  • Third Generation Born Algerians (New York University)

  • Ain’t It Me Too? (Duke University)

  • Is That All Your Hair? Black Communities: A Conference for Collaboration UNC Chapel Hill University

Speaking & Workshops

  • Final Honor Graduation - Keynote Speaker (Duke University)

  • Wiser: Say It Loud: Girl Power - Women’s Empowerment

  • Residential Life Conference: Belonging & The Life Transforming Power

  • Accepted to present talk: The Duke University Men’s Project - Challenging + Rethinking Masculinity Gender, Work, & Organization Biennial International. Interdisciplinary Conference Sydney, Australia

Projects

  • Is That All Your Hair? Documentary

  • What Happened to Durham? Documentary