ISM Presents Dr. Kwame Scruggs: "Transforming Lives Through Myth: The Simplicity of it All"

Life is simple, it is living our lives that is complicated. Through  snippets of myths and quotes, we will uncover a pattern that inspires us  to live our lives with zest. Dr. Scruggs will take us through the simple transformative power of myth. 

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Kwame Scruggs Ph.D., founder and director of Alchemy, Inc., has over 20 years of experience using myth in the development of urban youth and adults. He holds a Ph.D. and MA in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California. In 1993, he was formally initiated into the Akan System of Life Cycle Development (African-based rites of passage).

In 2012, Alchemy was one of 12 programs to receive the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities—the nation’s highest honor for after-school and out-of-school programs. Kwame accepted this award from First Lady, Michelle Obama, at the White House.

In 2020, the Association of Teaching Artists (with Lincoln Center Education) presented Kwame with their Innovation in Teaching Artistry award. In 2016, he was one of three to receive the University of Akron’s Black Male Summit Legacy Award. In 2013, Pacifica Graduate Institute presented him with the initial Wendy Davee Award for Outstanding Service and contributions in the tradition of soulful service.

Kwame is also a board member of the Joseph Campbell Foundation and a graduate of the National Guild Community Art Education’s CAELI (Community Arts Education Leadership Institute) Class of 2015 and a BMe Fellow (2017).

More information on Kwame can be found at www.kwamescruggs.com.