Bio
My family came as refugees from Vietnam and we were sponsored by a church that helped us settle in the Twin Cities.
Growing up navigating multiple cultures, my service globally, travels to 22 countries, experience teaching in Higher Ed., work with African refugees and diverse organizations
have led me to see the importance of growing in
cultural and racial intelligence and competency.
I educate, speak on and provide training in cultural competency, racial justice, ethnic diversity, immigration & refugee advocacy and Asian American topics.
I am a Qualified Administrator of the IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory) a premier tool that assesses intercultural competency.
To make learning fun and engaging, I employ a variety of teaching methods such as cultural assessment tools, games, workshops, discussion and interactive simulations. My passion is to see people and organizations embrace an equitable multi-ethnic lifestyle and practices that impact communities locally and globally.
I can customize my trainings from a 30 min speaking engagement, 1 hour webinar, 1/2 - full day interactive workshop, to a 5 week virtual series. I'd love to work with you or adapt to fit your needs.
Trainings Offered
Understand and grow in Cultural Competency and Intelligence. Learn how to adapt to different environments and learn from different cultures especially those who have been marginalized. Utilize various assessments to learn about:
- Implicit bias
- Four dimensions of cultural intelligence
- The Intercultural Development Inventory a premier tool measuring intercultural competency on a five stage continuum.
Addressing racism and becoming a more just society takes more than simply being kind to one another. Interpersonal and institutional racism are only some of the issues that need to be addressed. How did whites become white, Africans black, Asians yellow, and Natives red? Learn about the 4 Layers of Racism, how to tackle them, and how bogus science used color to develop racial hierarchies. Take steps to disrupt racism.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said the 11 O’clock hour is the most segregated hour of the week. Learn the history of the Multi-Ethnic Church movement including why the church has segregated and different models of historically multi-ethnic churches. Gain a basic understanding of the Why, What, and How of multi-ethnic church ministry from a Biblical Perspective. Participate in interactive Cultural Competency activities or take assessments to help you gain a better understanding of cultural awareness.
Are we a land of immigrants or aren’t we? What does history teach about who’s "in" and who's "out"? How have laws in the U.S. benefited some and restricted others? What does scripture say about how to treat immigrants justly? What are some myths that we believe about immigrants and refugees that need to be dismantled? How do we discern what the truth is? This includes my story as a refugee from Vietnam and work with African refugees.
With the rise in Anti-Asian racism it is more urgent than ever to address issues concerning the Asian-American community. Learn the history of xenophopia and that not all Asians are crazy rich or good at math. How did the Asian American Community move from “yellow peril” to Model Minority? Where is the Asian place on issues of race? How do we understand the Asian American demographic and the importance of seeing Asian Americans? Learn the difference between stereotypes and generalizations in comparing East versus West Cultures.
An individualized coaching session that digs deeper into your current approach to cultural issues. Take the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), a premier tool to assess your intercultural competency. Get a personalized debrief of your results and learn where you are on a five stage continuum. Receive personal coaching tailored to your needs and current perspectives to grow.
I am a Qualified Administrator of the IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory) a premier tool that assesses intercultural competency.
Speaking/Training Services
Experience
Leader: Multi-Ethnic Work
I have held various leadership roles for over 25 years doing multi-ethnic work in organizations and churches locally and abroad. I've traveled to 5 continents and over 20 countries sending and leading teams to serve globally. I've also spoken locally and nationally on culture, leadership, injustice and dismantling stereotypes of and tackling racism toward the Asian American community.
Adjunct Instructor: University of Northwestern St. Paul
I have taught courses such as: Understanding Cultural Contexts, Race & Ethnicity in America, Exegesis, and others related to Ministry & Global service. I've spoken in workshops to students, faculty and staff on issues of intercultural competency.
Instructor: Upworks
I provide Cultural Awareness training for this non-profit organization. Our "Life Advocates" mentor diverse clients overcoming addictions, incarceration and abuse to help them execute goals for employment and/or higher education.
Outreach Coordinator: CEEDS & ICF
I currently serve on the Leadership Team to serve newly-arrived refugees from Congo, Gabon, Uganda, and other central African countries.
Associate Director of Campus Ministries: University of NorthWestern
I directed the Global Leadership Program - leading, training and sending faculty and students to volunteer in service projects locally and around the world. I also served on the Racial and Ethnic Diversity Committee, advised the Asian club, and organized a Civil Rights tour for faculty and students.
Team Leader: YWAM
I led, and trained participants in global service teams to Hawaii, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan.
Testimonies
Benny Roberts
Vice President - Youth and Career Development, Urban Ventures
Khanh Nguyễn is a fantastic facilitator and speaker. I brought her to speak to my college leadership program and she did a phenomenal job! With over 80 students from various ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds students across the board admitted to feeling challenged to have more intentionality, work to understand others, and apply what they learned from Khanh to their leadership pursuits. Her humor, wit and ability to relate things to students of various faiths was refreshing. I am already working on an invitation to bring Khanh back again!
Choua LeMay
Director of Student Intercultural Programs, UNW - St. Paul
Khanh led workshops on race, culture and Asian American women in leadership for my college student leader's training. I was impressed with the way she incorporated activities to help my students understand and contextualize difficult topics like systemic racism, inequality, cultural nuances among other topics. What I appreciated most about Khanh is her perspective as a Vietnamese-American woman. There aren't enough Asian voices represented in this space and Khanh has been able to use her years of professional experience in predominantly white higher ed spaces to push the status quo rather than backing down when there's push back. Her resilient faith paired with her heart for justice is a force to be reckoned with!
Nash Shaikh
Director, Chief of Staff to the President & CEO Blue Cross Blue Shield MN
Khanh knocked it out of the ball park!
(Asian Circle Lunar New Year Event)
Jon Lundberg
Equity and Engagement Program Manager – Urban Homeworks
Khanh Nguyễn brings a raw authenticity to her instruction and teaching that is both rare and powerful. Her unique story and experience in the areas of race, culture, and justice give her immense credibility for almost any sociological, theological, or other topic. She brings audiences with her on journeys of triumph and pain while motivating them to fulfill their calling in the world.
Dr. Rose Lee-Norman
Associate Pastor of Formation - Sanctuary Cov Church
Bold truth-telling paired with biblical and theological faithfulness is a core competency in faith-based leadership today. Khanh Nguyễn embodies this convergence of expertise as an academician, facilitator, preacher, and woman of God. I have seen her take contentious, divisive, and complex topics regarding faith, race, politics, and economics and apply a thick theological framing where others often resign to a thin theology that is void of relevant application. Khanh marries theory and practice and offers a robust praxis for audiences around the Twin Cities and beyond. Khanh’s voice is integral in this moment in the Church and its gritty application in real life, and she does it all with courage, wit, intentionality, and grace. Khanh has something to offer not many possess and any organization or individual considering their next steps toward faith-filled cultural competency needs to contact Khanh Nguyen.
Lonnie Gonzales
City Director, LINC Houston
I appreciate Khanh Nguyen's professional and ministerial approach to her training. She drew me into a willingness to struggle with issues of justice and racism. I feel empowered and emboldened not just to talk about hard things but to take action. If you are ready to be informed, inspired, and ignited don't pass up on this opportunity.