Michael Eric Owens is President of M.E.O. Consulting. He is a distinguished scholar, writer, and speaker. Michael is also the founder of and serves as the Executive Director of the Ralph Ellison Foundation. He is the host of the One Mic, One Voice show, which has an international listening audience.
Following a successful career in the United States Navy where he achieved Sailor of the Year honors, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, earning degrees in History and Political Science and Law as well as the Outstanding Graduate Award. He received his Master of Library & Information Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Throughout his career, Michael has received countless awards and is a proud member of the National Scholars Honor Society. As a leader and advocate for minority communities throughout the United States, Michael has created, spearheaded, and coordinated community programming that is engaging and unifying. He transitioned to Oklahoma with a proven record of bringing diverse communities together for collaboration and cultural and social exchanges. Michael has appeared on such programs as OKC Metro, OKC Mayor Magazine, and the Fox Morning Show. He has been interviewed on numerous national radio programs.
Michael serves on the Oklahoma Civil Rights Commission Advisory Board, the Oklahoma City Arts Commission Board, and the African American Studies (AFAM) of the University of Oklahoma Board of Advocates. Michael was named 2013 Educator of the Year by Perry Publishing & Broadcasting. He is author of
Yes, I AM, WHO I AM: A New Philosophy of Black Identity
and
S.O.U.L: School of Unselfish Leadership.
As a community organizer, Michael has administered literacy, leadership, and mentor programming. He continues to be successful at integrating divergent opinions, dispelling misconceptions, and mitigating conflict in community building. Michael is a skilled strategist, helping local leaders reach a consensus regardless of their initial position. In his spare time, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, reading and writing, and exploring the outdoors of Oklahoma.
