Cultural Strategy for a Changing Columbus.
I help city departments, civic leaders, and employers communicate clearly, work effectively across language and culture, and retain immigrant talent with confidence.This is about systems that work — for your staff, your public message, and your workforce.

I help city departments, civic leaders, and nonprofits:

  • Navigate cultural differences in public service

  • Communicate effectively across language and trust barriers

  • Build lasting connections with New American communities

I bring clarity and cultural fluency to the heart of civic service — so your work earns lasting trust across every community.

Let’s make your outreach, hiring, and service delivery stronger — and simpler.

Why Dunia?

Cultural Strategy That Builds Trust and Improves Service.Dunia Consulting is a woman-owned, Columbus-based business helping city departments and public institutions work more effectively with immigrant, refugee, and multilingual communities.My approach is practical, strategic, and rooted in The Columbus Way and lived experience. I help civic teams improve communication, reduce missteps, and build long-term trust — all in alignment with The Columbus Way of collaboration and shared leadership.The name Dunia — meaning “world” in Swahili — reflects both, my global fluency and local connection. It also defines who I support:D – Districts
U – Universities
N – Nonprofits
I – Institutions
A – AgenciesI help these organizations:

  • Navigate cultural differences in civic spaces

  • Communicate across language barriers

  • Build lasting relationships with New American communities

  • Retain and support immigrant workers and families

All grounded in The Columbus Way — where collaboration and equity drive meaningful impact.

Meet Teresa Temu

Multilingual Educator | Cultural Strategist | Community ConnectorI’m a multilingual educator, cultural strategist, and proud advocate for New American Communities across Central Ohio. Originally from Eastern Europe and East Africa, I bring over a decade of experience in teaching, refugee integration, and public engagement.My work is grounded in lived experience — as an immigrant, linguist, and bridge-builder — and guided by the belief that language is power and culture shapes trust. I’ve supported civic leaders, schools, and nonprofits in navigating complex community dynamics with respect, clarity, and cultural fluency.Aligned with The Columbus Way, I work at the intersection of equity, collaboration, and public service.Highlights:Fluent in Swahili, Russian, French, and English
Leadership in refugee education, victim support, and community outreach
Member, Africa Day 2025 Planning Committee (City of Columbus / City Council)
NALA 2025 Cohort, New American Leadership Academy — City of Columbus
Honored by CYP Club as a Next Up Columbus/Young Professionals Club awardeeBased in Columbus, Ohio

Meet the Team

Mikhail Tarasov, PhD

AI & Data Systems Advisor

Ph.D. in Cardiac Research | Python Developer | Operations ArchitectMikhail serves as Dunia’s internal strategist and technical lead, combining scientific precision with operational vision. With a Ph.D. in cardiac research and a deep background in Python, data systems, and AI tools, he advises on back-end architecture, evaluation frameworks, and smart automation across our consulting work.From designing internal workflows to building custom dashboards and AI-integrated systems, Mikhail ensures Dunia remains efficient, insight-driven, and future-ready.

01 — Briefings & Trainings

Equip your staff with the cultural tools to serve Columbus today.
Understand how immigrant, refugee, and multilingual communities navigate public services — from health to housing, safety, and schools.Topics include:

  • Cultural worldviews and trust barriers

  • Common misunderstandings in public service

  • Language access that actually works

  • Real talk: how to avoid “accidental disrespect”

Used by: Civic offices, social service providers, and community teams

02 — Campaign & Event Cultural Review

Planning a festival, public meeting, or outreach campaign?
I help make sure it reflects — and respects — the cultures you want to reach.Support includes:

  • Cultural tone review

  • Translation accuracy + clarity

  • Timing, food, and faith considerations

  • Materials audit (visuals, language, messaging)

Used by: City councilmembers, City officials, cultural affairs offices, school districts, public health teams

03 — Language Access & Messaging Strategy

Don’t just translate — communicate.
I help you shape public messages that speak clearly to Limited English Proficient (LEP) communities and earn their trust.Support includes:

  • Bilingual message mapping

  • Interpreter strategy for public events

  • Plain language + multilingual audit

  • LEP family outreach plans

Used by: County departments, school districts, workforce centers

04 — Public Speaking & Commentary

Bringing Cultures Together — Through Story, History, and Real Talk
Need someone who can connect the dots between African heritage, American industry, immigrant identity, and Columbus today?I speak at civic events, leadership programs, chambers, and schools — helping audiences understand how global cultures shape local life. My talks are engaging, rooted in lived experience, and designed to bring people together.Topics that resonate:

  • How African Trade Shaped American Work Culture: From spices to steel: global commerce and the unseen African legacy behind Ohio’s economy.

  • Fulani Wisdom, American Realities: What a herding culture from West Africa can teach us about dignity, restraint, and leadership.

  • From Immigrant to Insider: Earning Trust in American Systems. What it means to serve, show up, and lead as a New American.

  • Language Is More Than Words: How miscommunication leads to missed opportunities — and how to fix it.

Used by: City councils, public service unions, workforce programs, DEI-weary departments that want fresh, real insights without the jargon.

Trusted by Local Leaders.
Built on Real Work.

I don’t just consult — I help institutions retain talent, reduce risk, and build smarter infrastructure for a changing workforce.I work with cities, counties, and community-facing teams to shift the lens: New Americans are not being served — they are serving.
They are your workers, voters, taxpayers, and civic partners.

Past Collaborations include:

  • Keynote Speaker, Ohio African Chamber of Commerce Launch Ceremony

  • Cultural Speech on Fulani Heritage at Columbus Arts Festival, 2025

  • Global Ambassador, Columbus Council on World Affairs

  • Member, Africa Day 2025 Planning Committee (Columbus City Council)

  • Community programs with Us Together

  • Briefings and outreach through NALA

  • Volunteer Engagement with Ohio New African Immigrants Commission

  • Outreach collaboration with OSU Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures

  • Orientation and communication support for Afghan, Somali, Burundian, and Ukrainian families

Intro Consult

Free 30-min Zoom to discuss your needs

Let’s talk about what you’re working on, where you feel stuck, and how I might support your goals.

  • Personalized recommendations

  • Honest feedback and clarity

  • No pressure, just connection

Half-Day Workshop

$400 for up to 3 hours of live training or facilitation

Designed for nonprofits, schools, and city departments looking to shift from ideas to action.

  • Cultural humility & DEI training

  • Language access & inclusive outreach

  • Custom facilitation for diverse teams

Mentorship for Emerging Voices

I believe in building while reaching back. That means mentoring the next wave of multilingual, multicultural leaders — especially those navigating systems where they’ve rarely seen themselves reflected.Whether you're a heritage speaker trying to teach your language, a culture-bearer seeking your first consulting gig, or a young professional stepping into civic spaces — you don’t have to do it alone.

What I Offer:

  • 1-on-1 Mentorship on professional growth, storytelling, and public presence

  • Guidance for language workers and cultural connectors

  • Connection to real-world paid opportunities, grants, and networks

I’m especially invested in uplifting:

  • Black and immigrant women in language and civic work

  • Minority linguists and educators

  • Community-rooted leaders ready to scale their impact

How to Reach Me:

You don’t need polished credentials to reach out — just purpose and curiosity.This is how we build bridges that last — across cultures, generations, and careers.

Ready to collaborate?

Send a message and I’ll get back to you within 2 business days.

Disclaimer:
The materials presented on this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional, legal, or immigration advice. Dunia Consulting LLC provides educational and consulting services and does not offer legal representation.Compliance Statement:
Dunia Consulting is a registered LLC operating in full compliance with U.S. tax and contracting laws. UEI abd EIN available upon request.