Griffin Lotson
Wednesday, December 4
Griffin Lotson is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on the Gullah Geechee Ring Shout and the history of “Kumbaya”, which has landed him with opportunities to work as an expert consultant and lecturer, working for and with many local, national and international organizations. He has traveled around the world including to his ancestral Gullah Geechee home land of Africa. His expertise has also provided him the opportunity to participate in film productions in Hollywood and popular television shows—he has been involved in Queen Sugar, as well as Oprah Winfrey's movie production ”The Color Purple”. Lotson was also selected to be a choreographer in the new Roots Movie 2016, and several others.
Lotson has been given credit on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. and in the state of Georgia for discovering the hidden history of this world known song, “Kumbaya”. The National Point of Light named Griffin Lotson as a White House President‘s Volunteer Service Award recipient 2020. Lotson is a certified international and state Goodwill Ambassador plus Citizen of the year.
Lotson is the author of several books, including “Success the Hard Way”, “Weeping Time by a Georgia Geechee”, “Kumbaya”, and others.
JoJo Dakota Osceola
Assistant Director, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
Wednesday, December 4
JoJo Dakota Osceola is a full blooded enrolled member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Previously having worked for tribal government, Ms. Osceola is the Assistant Director of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum located on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Passion for indigenous people, being active within the tribal community and preserving culture are a few ideologies close to her heart.
Tom Medema
Associate Director, Interpretation, Education, Volunteers, National Park Service
Friday, December 6
As Associate Director of the National Park Service, Tom leads a team of 120 visitor experience professionals in the fields of interpretation, education, volunteerism, and community engagement. His team supports more than 4,000 field professionals and over 120,000 volunteers. He directs policy and program standards for the National Park Service along with providing national leadership, vision, and direction to expand inclusive storytelling, increase cultural and scientific literacy, and enhance visitor safety and enjoyment. Tom also leads strategic planning for NPS efforts on military and veteran engagement, as well as the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence.
Tom has worked in the fields of interpretation and environmental education for more than 35 years. Before becoming Associate Director his field assignments included Rocky Mountain National Park, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Mount Rainier National Park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Yosemite National Park. Tom is also deeply involved in international affairs serving as a subject matter expert to parks and monuments in several countries including Saudi Arabia, Chile, Nepal, Mongolia, and France. Tom is a native of Muskegon, Michigan, and holds a Master of Science degree in Park and Recreation Resources (Interpretation) from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Recreation/Environmental Education from Calvin University.