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Changing the World With Love, Kindness and Compassion

Working for a Better Society

My name is Dewhitt Lloyd Bingham, and I am the owner of Peculiar Books Inc. in Bloomington, Illinois. Because of my success as a three-time author, motivational speaker, preacher, criminal justice practitioner, and college professor, I decided to create a platform for social change.


My entire career has been dedicated to promoting honesty, raising awareness, healing damaged relationships, and helping others keep moral commitments. I established my organization in 2017 with the intention of changing the world.

Biography

I have spent more than 40 years studying, teaching, and working in the criminal justice system. I have served as a probation officer for more than 33 years.


I am also a distinguished adjunct professor at Heartland Community College where I served as a criminal justice instructor for more than 23 years. I have also served on the McLean County Youthbuild Board of Directors for more than 23 years. Additionally, I received the 2014 Heartland Community College Adjunct Professor of the Year Award.


I have been serving the Lord Jesus Christ for more than 22 years. I serve as the head elder at Integrity Deliverance Ministry, where I minister the Word of God with love.


I have been positively influenced by the likes of Harriet Tubman, W. E. B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, Ida B. Wells, and the myths that perpetuate discrimination and racism. I believe a person can fight against fear, anger, state-based systems, and servitude, but the myth of black dangerousness, dehumanization of black folk, and white supremacy are hard to change.


My goal is to rid the world of these myths through spreading love, kindness, and compassion. If you desire to remedy the world of these ills as well, please contact me at Peculiar Books Inc.

Mission Statement

Life is good, and the goal of Peculiar Books Inc. is to make society a better place to live for all through practices that promote:

  • Diversity
  • Equalization
  • Integration
  • Racial Harmony
  • Social Justice

Education

1987

Illinois State University

Masters of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice

1984

Lincoln University

Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice

1997–Present

Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Criminal Justice*

Heartland Community College, Normal, Illinois


Courses Taught:

Introduction to Criminal Justice

Juvenile Justice

Introduction to Criminology

Probation and Parole

American System of Corrections

Criminal Justice Careers Seminar 

*Impart knowledge to students preparing to transfer to upper-division schools. Provide knowledge of all aspects of the criminal justice to students who are pursuing an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice.

Additional Training

1987

Sangamon State University, Springfield, Illinois

Adult Probation Officer Training

1991

Sangamon State University, Springfield, Illinois

Investigative Skills and Abilities Training

1991

ADX Operator Training, Springfield, Illinois

Certified Drug Testing Operator Training

1993

Law and Justice Commission, Springfield, Illinois

Multicultural Diversity Training

1997

RISS National Gang Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada

National Gang Certification

2001

McLean County Communications Center, Bloomington, Illinois

Police Communications Course

2001

Law and Justice Commission, Bloomington, Illinois

Law Enforcement Spanish and Survival

2002

Administrative Office of Illinois Courts, Springfield, Illinois

Youth Assessment Screening Instrument Certified

2005

National Coalition Building Institute, Aurora, Illinois

Certified Diversity Facilitator

2005

Chestnut Health Systems, Bloomington, Illinois

Drug Endangered Youth Training

2007

Institute for Multicultural Success, Phoenix, Arizona

Mastering Anger, Self-Discipline, and Emotional Control Facilitator

2009

NC Consulting, LLC

Washington Aggression Interruption Training

2010

National Institute of Corrections, U.S. Department of Justice

Thinking for a Change Certified Facilitator

2011

Professional Development, Heartland Community College

Greening Your Curriculum

2011

Professional Development, Heartland Community College

Great Teacher Within Us Retreat

2013

Correctional Counseling, Inc.

Certified Moral Reconation Therapy Facilitator

2013

Professional Development, Heartland Community College

Writing Teaching Philosophy Statements

2013–2016

Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Dinner, Illinois State University

Speakers: Michelle Alexander, Van Jones, Gloria Davis, and Marc Lamont Hill

2016

Professional Development, Heartland Community College

FA II: Reclaiming Conversation

2016

Project Oz, Bloomington, Illinois

Supporting LGBTQ Youth

2017 

Illinois State University Teaching and Learning Symposium

2018

Alternative Delivery Certification/Online Certified

Volunteer Work

1996–Present

Youthbuild McLean County Board Member

2004–Present

Heartland Community College Hands on Science Fair

2010–Present

Instructional Development Committee, Heartland Community College

2014–Present

Male Empowerment Network Club Advisor, Heartland Community College

2016–Present

Minority and Police Partnership Taskforce 

2019–Present

Diversion and Inclusion Taskforce, Heartland Community College

Personal Achievements

1980

Baseball Scholarship, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri

1981

Who’s Who Among America’s College and University Students,

Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri

1982

Irving C. Tull Scholarship Award and Omega Psi Phi Academic Scholarship Award, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri

1983

Outstanding Criminal Justice Student Scholarship Award and Aztec Association Academic Scholarship Award, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri

1984

Academic Dean’s List (7/8 Semesters)

1988

Missionary Trip to Johannesburg, South Africa

1989​

Chiddix Junior High School Service Award

1991

Center of Hope Church Man of the Year Award

1995

Megiste Arete Christian Fraternity Award

1996

Junior College and Division III Basketball Official

1999–2012

Owner of Precious Jewels Christian Academy Childcare Center

2011

Heartland Community College Student Support Services

Project Rise Outstanding Faculty Member

2014

Heartland Community College Instructional Development Center

Award for Exceptional Participation and Contribution to the Work of the IDC Advisory Committee

2014

Heartland Community College Adjunct Faculty of the Year

2015

Heartland Community College Instructional Development Center

Recognized for Planning and Delivering an Inspiring and Lively Presentation at Faculty Academy I: Teaching and Learning at HCC

2015

Heartland Community College, Student Engagement Advisor Recognition Award for Advising MEN Club 

2016

Heartland Community College Instructional Development Center

Recognized for Providing an Engaging and Well-Received Presentation at Faculty Academy I: Teaching and Learning at HCC

2013–2016

Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Dinner, Illinois State University

Speakers: Michelle Alexander, Van Jones, Gloria Davis, and Marc Lamont Hill

2017

Published First Book:

Hope Deferred Makes the Heart Sick: But When the Desire Comes It Is A Tree Of Life

2018

Published Second Book:

Viola Liuzzo a True Martyr

2020

Third Book Published:

The Douglass Connection

Testimonials

“Mr. Bingham is cool, awesome and the bomb.com. He teaches in a way that makes learning fun and enjoyable. I would recommend him to everyone.”

-A Student of Dewhitt Bingham

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