10. Michael Dumlao
The life of a gay, immigrant of color. Code-switching and the life of Guncles, gay-uncles!
Michael Dumlao is an artist, author, and activist equipped with more than twenty-one years of advancing diversity, equity, and social justice through award-winning brand strategy, digital marketing, and creative storytelling in corporate, federal, academic, and non-profit environments. He led the rebrand of a Fortune 500 company as its first Director of Brand and serve as a senior advisor for leaders in government, defense and intelligence.
A sought-after speaker on audacious authenticity, brand activation, and diversity, Michael is passionate about the role of creativity and the arts in making a better world. I was born in Manila, Philippines, raised in Sydney, Australia, schooled in Santa Barbara, California, and now reside in Washington DC with my Peruvian husband Daniel and our rescue dog, America. He is also the proud guncle (gay-uncle) to more than fifty far-flung niblings and protégés to whom his debut book, The Wisdom of Guncles, is dedicated.
In this episode, he shared a lot about his unique journey from the Philippines to Australia to the US and the racism and homophobia he encountered along the way. He taught me about what it is like for a person like him to walk into a new space having to assess how safe he is to be his true self in that space. I am still so struck by that because it is a process that I have never had to do because of who I am and I have been oblivious to the stress that others experience with a seemingly mundane moment. I didn’t know about the “code-switching” that people like Michael have to do in everyday experiences. Code-switching is when someone changes the way that they speak, act or interact with others who are different from themselves. This is something that I don’t think I have ever had to do so it was a very informative conversation for me, not to mention so much fun.
To continue to follow along with Michaels Epic story follow the links below to his website, socials and to his book, The Wisdom of Guncles! Now remember, if you buy The Wisdom of Guncles from the link below or on Michael’s page on the Epics website, you are not only supporting Michael and you are not only supporting the podcast but you are also supporting a local bookstore near you!
