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Hello Friends

Adalia Ellis-Aroha, the visionary founder of Aroha Consulting and Training, grew up in South Carolina.  Adalia's upbringing in a racially and culturally diverse family and community instilled in her a fervent commitment to cultivating inclusive and safe spaces where justice, unity, and friendship flourish.

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My Story

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With over two decades of educational experience, Adalia is a seasoned educator, having passionately engaged in and crafted educational programs at both grassroots and formal classroom levels. Her journey as a public speaker commenced at the tender age of 10, and she further honed her oratory skills during her four-year tenure as a Toastmasters member in her twenties. Currently, she imparts her knowledge of public speaking as an esteemed faculty member at Francis Marion University.

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Beyond the realm of public speaking, Adalia's heart is drawn to the transformative power of dance, which she views as a conduit for rejuvenation, storytelling, healing, and community building. With 15 years of experience as a dance instructor, both overseas and in the United States, she has witnessed the profound wellness that dance can impart.

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Adalia is an alumna of Coastal Carolina University, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Theater, as well as a Masters Degree in Teaching. These qualifications have equipped her with the expertise to craft engaging and transformational racial justice curriculum, furthering her mission of fostering unity and understanding.

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Outside of her professional pursuits, Adalia is a loving wife and devoted mother who finds solace in camping, reading, indulging in cinema, exploring the world through travel, and engaging in meaningful conversations. Her multifaceted life experiences and unwavering commitment to justice and unity define her as a compassionate leader and educator.

Portfolio

Curriculum Vitae

Adalia Ellis

1951 Pisgah Dr., Room 218  Florence, SC  |   (843) 304-2034  | arohaomi.info@gmail.com

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RACIAL JUSTICE EDUCATOR AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPER

Experienced educator, public speaker and consultant whose focus is on encouraging meaningful conversations and actions that lead to racial justice and race unity 

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RESEARCH INTEREST

Civil Discourse
Dialogues Encouraging Racial Unity
Collaborative Learning

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EDUCATION

Coastal Carolina University —Masters of Arts in Teaching (2009)                                         
Coastal Carolina University — B.A. in History, Minor in Theater (1995)

                                                                  UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Introduction to Public Speaking (Fall 2018-Spring 2024)

As an adjunct professor at Francis Marion University I created a scaffolded, interactive, experiential, student centered public speaking course. Students gained skills and confidence in self expression, preparing for giving speeches, and best practices for being effective speakers.   

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Understanding Generational Trauma: Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (Fall 2023)

An interdisciplinary course initiated, created and taught by me for Francis Marion University’s Honors and African, African American Studies programs. The objective of this course was  to understand the impact and outcomes of generational trauma as reflected in the community of those who are descendants of enslaved Africans. With this understanding, pathways to healing can be identified and applied.  

 

Hip-Hop: An American Story (Spring 2023)

An interdisciplinary course initiated, created and taught by me for Francis Marion University’s Honors and African, African American Studies programs. This course followed the roots of Hip-Hop from Africa to present day through music and lived experience of African Americans.

 

History of Afro Latin Dance and Music (Spring 2020/Fall 2022)

An interdisciplinary course initiated, created and taught by me for Francis Marion University’s Honors and African, African American Studies programs. This course followed dance and music in the African Diaspora pre-Slavery to the present day. Students learn about the interchange between society, politics, and human experience reflected through the art of movement and music. 
 

                                                                           ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Aroha Consulting & Training —Business

Aroha Consulting and Training provides a variety of in person and online services for individual, organization and corporate  spaces in public speaking,  arts for healing, team building, and racial justice. We are also available for speaking engagements.  www.arohaconsultingandtraining.com

 

Aroha Afro Latin Dance — Dance School
A Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba dance studio located in downtown Florence. www.arohaafrolatindance.com 

 

Our Moral Imperative — Online Course and Consultant
Our Moral Imperative, A Revolutionary Change in White America is a course I created that focuses on supporting white people who are committed to anti-racism efforts. www.arohaartscollective.com/cyclebreaker 

 

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                                                                 RACIAL JUSTICE WORK EXPERIENCE

Our Moral Imperative: A Revolutionary Change in White America

Curriculum Developer, Online Course Creator, Primary Facilitator August 2020--Present

This 7 week course for white people who are committed to anti-racism efforts is specifically designed for the white community to be able to understand its unique role in racial justice work. By “community” we are referring to  individuals, groups, organizations and corporate businesses.  This course is designed to be scalable and can be offered online and in person. 

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The Convergence Symposium: Where the Arts and Social Action Converge

An Annual Event Organized and Hosted through Aroha Arts Collective: An Arts and Social Action Initiative

February 2019- Present

This annual event centers the voices of people of color who are engaged in social action and the arts. The premise of the event is that the arts can be used to heal, educate, encourage dialogue and deepen understanding. This weekend-long event provides opportunities for facilitators and participants to engage in meaningful conversations, consider courses of action, and create artistic expressions of lived experience.

 

Junior League of Florence —Dimensions of Diversity: Impact on Service and Growth

November  2023

A 30 minute interactive presentation I did for the Junior League of Florence on the topic of relationship building across racial divides as a means of deepening friendships as well as prioritizing relationship building when serving community members. 

 

Francis Marion University —Aroha Afro Latin Dance: Healing, Culture and Art

November  2023

A one hour speech I presented for the university’s Cultural Conversations series that focused on the history of Afro Latin Dance, and its cultural and healing impact as an artform. 

 

Francis Marion University —Natural Hair In the Workplace: Re-examining the Standards

November  2023

A two hour interactive workshop that focused on the biases in hospital standards for professional appearance. This workshop was  conducted for the Nursing program in collaboration with Dr.Shayna Wrighten, a university colleague. 

 

Content Designer and Moderator —UCB, Day of Enlightenment: UCB Remembers George Floyd 

May 25, 2021

I created and presented content based on the guidance of the UCB team, BEING. This one hour event that commemorated the passing of George Floyd was an opportunity to reflect on how his death furthered conversations around race across racial demographics. I moderated the round-table where members of the BEING team were able to express various experiences. 

 

Content Designer and Facilitator —CDM, Juneteenth Celebration: A Time to Remember, Reflect and Celebrate 

June 2021 & 2022

I created and presented content regarding the history, purpose and impact of Juneteenth for the London, UK branch of CDM. This hour and a half program consisted of me giving a speech and then giving questions for participants to discuss in smaller groups in breakout rooms. From their breakout rooms they came back to the group space to share what they learned or come to an understanding about. 

 

Dialogues in Diversity- Francis Marion University’s Kelley Center for Business Development

May 2021 & 2022

I created and presented content regarding race in business. As a business owner and a person of color, I was able to draw on my experience as a platform for sharing best practices for addressing race and racial injustice in the workplace. I also presented best practices for acknowledging the impact of racial violence in the larger community on people in the workplace.This two hour presentation included many opportunities for thoughtful reflection and sharing back.
 

SKILLS

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  • Proficient creator and instructor of online courses

  • Proficient curriculum developer 

  • Professional lecturer and public speaker

  • ​Proficient creator of social media content for promotion and community building.

  • ​Proficient creator of Multimedia Presentations: Powerpoint, Prezi, Video, Online interactives

  • Experienced website designer  and manager

  • Community outreach and facilitating mutually supportive connections.

  • Conducting Webinars and Video Conferencing

  • Connect well with youth populations.


EXTRACURRICULAR

Professional Afro Latin Dancer and Instructor

Writer

Spoken Word Artist

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