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Rhonda Sewell

@rhonsewell

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@toledomuseum Dir., Advocacy & Ext. Affairs
Culture Amplifier
Believer
Sarah & Savannah’s Mom
AKA💗💚
OH * MI * IL
20 countries (Belize next = 21)

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God has an extraordinary way of reminding us that the work we do matters. ❤️

I am overwhelmed and deeply honored to share that I will be recognized by the @associationforethnicstudies during its 53rd Annual Conference in Los Angeles for my lifetime commitment to Ethnic Studies and my work advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, equality and belonging.

I have also been invited to speak at the conference’s opening reception.

This one is deeply personal.

More than 30 years ago, Dr. Robert Perry and Dr. John Scott opened a door for me at @officialbgsu, inviting me to teach in the Ethnic Studies Department. My first self-designed course was “Mass Media and Ethnic Groups: From the 1800s to the Present Day.”

But here is the beautiful full-circle moment.

Dr. Robert Perry founded the Association for Ethnic Studies in the early 1970s. Today, his son, Dr. @ravikperry, is carrying that torch forward as lead organizer of the Association’s 53rd Annual Conference. Ravi personally selected me for this honor and invited me to speak.

The father helped open the door for me to teach Ethnic Studies. More than three decades later, his son has chosen to honor my life’s work through the association his father founded.

Full circle. ❤️

And before any university or institution, there was family.

My mother, Billie Johnson. My father, @bigsewell . My uncle, Floyd Bridges.

They taught me to love my culture and heritage, to pursue fairness, and to understand that social justice is something we practice in our daily walk.

To have my peers recognize that life’s work means more than I can adequately express.

I am humbled. I am grateful. And I am reminded that the work matters.

Los Angeles, I’ll see you in October. ❤️🙏🏾

#EthnicStudies
#HigherEducation
#SocialJustice
#Representation
#RhondaHasSpoken taken in California State University Los Angeles by @rhonsewell

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a month ago

Blonde braids activated!

One more day until Morocco. 🇲🇦

One more week until 60.🥳🎉9/30

Libra season, be good to me. ♎️

#RhondaHasSpoken by @rhonsewell

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20 days ago

60 years. And I know a few things now.

Today, I say goodbye to my 50s with a grateful heart and welcome 60 from Marrakech. ❤️

Here’s what six decades around the sun have taught me along the way.

Thank you for all the birthday love. This woman of a certain age is just getting started.

#RhondaHasSpoken #WomanOfACertainAge #ThisIs60 #Hello60 #SixtyAndGrateful #SixDecades #BirthdayReflections #Marrakech #Morocco #Grateful taken in Marrakech, Morocco by @rhonsewell

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13 days ago

We made it safely to Detroit from Paris! ✈️

Morocco to Paris was three hours, and Paris to Detroit was nine. Add a six-hour layover, and this final day has been quite the journey. But what a journey these past 10 days have been.

I came to Morocco to celebrate turning 60 with one of my great friends, @gretchiede. I’m leaving with so much more.

This was a birthday trip, yes, but it was also a spiritual journey. One of my greatest takeaways is just how much more we have in common than what separates us.

I saw and learned about the beautiful parallels among Islam, Christianity and Judaism, faith traditions that share history, teachings and a belief in one God. Yet we are so often encouraged to focus on our differences instead of our shared humanity.

Morocco itself reflects centuries of cultures meeting, influencing and learning from one another. You see it in the people, the architecture, the music, the languages and even the food and spices. History certainly includes conquest, colonization and conflict, but it also includes exchange, cooperation, adaptation and cultures leaving pieces of themselves with one another.

And I was especially moved by the devotion to faith I witnessed. Hearing the call to prayer five times each day and watching people intentionally stop and make space for God was beautiful. It made me reflect on my own faith and spiritual discipline.

This journey taught me about tolerance, friendship, sisterhood, gratitude and self-discovery. And at 60, I know there is still so much more to learn.

So now, I head home to the 419 with a full heart, a grateful spirit and memories I will carry forever.

God-willing, I’ll see you all soon!

Inshallah. Asé. ❤️

#RhondaHasSpoken #WomanOfACertainAge #SixtyAndGrateful #Morocco #BirthdayJourney #Gratitude #SpiritualJourney #Sisterhood taken in Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) by @rhonsewell

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9 days ago

Fez, you have been unforgettable. 🇲🇦✨

Tomorrow, we’re off to Meknes and Volubilis for a host of experiences, including a wine tasting. 🍷

And for those following the great luggage saga… 😂 My suitcase is supposedly arriving at the Casablanca airport tomorrow on an early flight. Will it actually be there? Who knows! 😂 Since we’ll already be on the move, Transavia is supposed to send it on to the Marrakech airport, where we arrive on the 29th, one day before my birthday.

At this point, getting my luggage back may be the greatest birthday gift ever. 😂🎁

But through it all, I count it ALL joy.

Even after the nearly 40,000 steps @gretchiede and I walked today through the souks and medina of Fez. 😂

This has become so much more than a vacation. It is a spiritual journey. A friendship journey. A sisterhood journey. And an experience I will never forget.

Onward to Meknes. And onward to 60. ✨

#Morocco
#BirthdayBehavior
#60RotationsAroundTheSun
#RhondaHasSpoken taken in Fez, Morocco by @rhonsewell

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16 days ago

Psalm 121:7–8:

“The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

#RhondaHasSpoken taken in Detroit International Airport DTW by @rhonsewell

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19 days ago

Advocacy isn’t always about making an ask. Sometimes, it’s simply about saying thank you.

Yesterday, The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) Director Adam Levine and I, along with our CJR Group advocacy partner Sarah Totedo, welcomed State Representative Erika White and her legislative aide, Tyler, to the Museum.

We thanked Rep. White for her support during Ohio’s capital budget process, which resulted in a $750,000 investment in TMA’s teamLab project.

I have learned through years of advocacy and governmental affairs work that genuine relationships with elected officials should continue even when the legislature is in recess and even when you don’t need anything. Keep them informed. Show them the work. Demonstrate good stewardship. And most importantly, express gratitude.

Next week, we’ll continue those conversations with State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson.

Thank you to the members of the Ohio General Assembly, particularly our Northwest Ohio delegation, for recognizing the important role arts and culture play in our communities.

#RhondaHasSpoken #Advocacy
#ArtsAdvocacy #ToledoMuseumOfArt #ArtsAndCulture taken in The Toledo Museum of Art by @rhonsewell

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25 days ago

Tonight, my The Toledo Museum of Art colleague Dr. Sophie Ong and I officially kicked off our first Blood Cancer United Leadership Committee meeting as co-chairs, and what a room it was.

We’ve recruited some dynamic people, with a few more still to come, who will help us recruit and support our Visionary candidates and their teams for the 10-week campaign launching in spring 2027.

But tonight was about more than planning a campaign. It was about stories.

I was deeply moved hearing from survivors, as well as those who shared how cancer has impacted their families. And Ebony Carter nearly took me out with her beautiful words about the impact of this OG and “auntie” in her world. ❤️ The feeling is absolutely mutual. 💯🎯

This is my third Blood Cancer United campaign, from Toledo Titans for a Cure - Benefiting LLS as a team member with former Visionary Steve Reamey, to serving on the Leadership Committee, and now having the privilege of co-chairing alongside Sophie.

There are more than 100 types of blood cancers, which means there are far too many families who need the support, research, advocacy and care this work helps make possible.

Tonight, sitting around the Brooklyn boardroom at TolHouse, I was reminded again why community matters.

We’re just getting started.

Onward. Buckle up, buttercup. ❤️

#RhondaHasSpoken
#BloodCancerUnited
#CommunityImpact taken in TolHouse by @rhonsewell

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a month ago

I’m honored to share that I’m entering my third campaign with Blood Cancer United, this time as Co-Chair of the Leadership Committee alongside my The Toledo Museum of Art colleague, Dr. Sophie Ong! ❤️

My journey with this organization began as a team member of Toledo Titans for a Cure - Benefiting LLS, led by the one and only visionary Steve Reamey. What a team! We came in second in our area for fundraising, formed lasting friendships and, with the incredible support of so many of YOU, I personally raised $7,000 toward the fight against blood cancers. Thank you forever Paige Narins Reyes! 🩷🌸🩷

The following year, I was invited to serve on the Leadership Committee, supporting an amazing group of visionaries, including She Jag. And now, Tiffany Ziegler and Justin Reynolds have entrusted Sophie and me to help lead this year’s committee. I’m grateful and ready!

I may not have an immediate family member who has battled leukemia, lymphoma or another blood cancer, but I have friends, colleagues and people I care about who have. Young and seasoned. That is more than enough reason for me to show up.

Our 10-week campaign gets underway in spring 2027, and we’ll be announcing our full Leadership Committee soon. We already have some wonderful people saying YES!

If you’re interested in joining us, reach out. And to those of you who know I’ll eventually be coming your way asking you to help me raise some much-needed dollars…well, consider this your advance notice. 😊

I believe deeply in living a purpose-driven life and using whatever influence I have to help others during my walk on this earth. Blood Cancer United is the right fit for that mission.

Thank you, Tiffany and Justin, for your trust. And Dr. Sophie Ong, here we go! ❤️

#bloodcancerwarrior
#BloodCancerUnited
#RhondaHasSpoken by @rhonsewell

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a month ago

Four ladies. @gretchiede @meluetke @natalieeverafter @rhonsewell One fabulous Fountain Square Airbnb. One quick Indy overnighter. And for the second year in a row, @butterartfair 🎨🖤🧈

A weekend filled with incredible art, amazing artists and creatives, great food, culture, connection and ALL the Indy vibes. Sometimes 48 hours is all you need for the perfect reset. 🥂

#RhondaHasSpoken
#Indy
#BUTTERFineArtFair
#FountainSquare
#GirlsGetaway taken in Indianapolis, IN by @rhonsewell

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a month ago

Some friendships know what your heart needs before you’re quite ready to admit it yourself. ❤️

For months, I have carried this vision of waking up on my milestone birthday in Marrakesh, Morocco. I called my wonderful travel agent, Christianne Box of Central Travel, told her what I envisioned, and she began making it happen.

And because I am fiercely independent, my original plan was to go solo, join a travel group, meet some new people and have myself an adventure.

Enter my sister-friend @gretchiede

She basically said, “No way. No how. You are NOT ushering in a milestone birthday in Morocco with a bunch of strangers. I’m coming with you.” 😂😂😂😂

And just like that, my solo adventure became our adventure. 🩷🩷

That, to me, is one of the measures of true friendship. It’s someone who knows that beneath all that independence is a heart that might really want someone familiar beside her for the moments that matter. Someone to witness the joy. Someone to share the memories. And, in Gretchen’s case, someone who will undoubtedly have me laughing hysterically every single day. 😂💯🎯

She is brilliant, hilarious, fiercely loyal and one of the dearest friends I could ever ask for.

She has been sending me countdown messages as our journey gets closer, and every one of them reminds me: This is really happening.

Marrakesh was the vision, but God willing, we’ll experience so much more of beautiful Morocco along the way. And if Gretchen and I can manage to avoid an international incident, we promise to document some of our comings and goings. 😂 #InsideJoke

I am so grateful that I get to enter this next chapter of life doing something I dreamed about, in a place I dreamed about, with a friend who understood that maybe this particular adventure was never supposed to be taken alone.

And a huge thank you to our agent Ms. Box at Central Travel for taking care of every single detail and helping turn a vision into an actual journey.

North Africa, here we come, God willing. 🇲🇦🤎

The adventure awaits!

#Morocco
#RhondaHasSpoken
#Friendship
#BirthdayBehavior
#InternationalTravelers by @rhonsewell

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a month ago