Our 2024 Speakers
Keynotes
“Who We Are”
Dr. Mohamed S. Camara, Ph.D
Dr. Mohamed S. Camara, Ph.D
Mohamed Saliou Camara, currently serving as the Chair of the Department of African Studies and a professor of History, Philosophy, and Mass Communication at Howard University, holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in History from Northwestern University, both obtained through a Fulbright Scholarship. His academic focus includes African History, with double minors in Middle Eastern Studies and African American Studies, while his research spans Mass Communication and Political Science. Camara also holds a Diplôme d’Études Supérieures (DES) from the Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry (IPGANC, Guinea), with majors in History and Philosophy, and an Advanced Professional Certificate in Journalism from the University of Dakar (Senegal). Before his tenure in the U.S., Camara worked in various capacities in Guinea, including as a lecturer, journalist, speechwriter, and university press president. At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, he held roles such as Director of the McNair Scholars Program, Vice Speaker, Speaker of the Faculty Senate, and Associate Vice President for Academics, earning recognition as Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2009. An accomplished author, his publications encompass topics ranging from African history and politics to mass communication. Camara is also the founding president of the African Renewal Foundation (ARF), dedicated to fostering leadership, governance, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Africa. He was honored with the 2023 Le Grand Prix de la Francophonie for his contributions to academia and African development.
“How We Live”
Sophie Jama Malindi
Sophie Jama Malindi
Sophie Jama Malindi is a Women Empowerment Leader. She has broad experience in managing cause-driven programs for global humanitarian organizations. After a 14-year career in the United Nations, Sophie began pursuing her calling sharing her journey of being a young Ethiopian refugee, integrating her own story within a narrative of change.Sophie aims to heal inter-generational wounds by speaking the ‘unspeakable’ and breaking the narrative of silence.Sophie Jama Malindi has broad experience in managing cause-driven programs for global humanitarian organizations. A motivating leader, she is passionate about creating a workplace culture where all team members have a voice while championing impactful advocacy initiatives in the areas of women and youth empowerment.
After spending the majority of her life feeling unseen and unheard, Sophie Jama Malindi set up a company, TruVoice, a dedicated platform to amplify voices of women and marginalized communities so that they are fully heard and seen as a fundamental human need. Sometimes, giving people who do not have a voice a platform is all it takes to bring the darkness into the light.
Sophie Jama Malindi has a passion for helping women and marginalized groups reconnect to their courageous voice within, break down disempowering narratives and show up powerfully in their professional and personal lives. Sophie worked in the United Nations for over a decade championing women and children across 190 countries in underserved communities and working to deliver critical resources, funding, and advocacy at global, national, and community levels. She spent eight years in Africa, getting to know what it takes for change to happen at the grassroots, organizational and systemic levels and using equity six for years in Europe.
Using equity-based and inclusive approaches at the global level, she has also consulted and coached top executives in DEI, working to build strategies for companies in Canada for a more sustainable, equitable working environment.
Sophie Jama Malindi has been invited to speak at global influential events on platforms such as World Biodiversity Forum in Davos. Her talks center around the need to provide people who do not have a voice a platform and to share the benefits of ‘Speaking the Unspeakable’ so that those who feel unseen and unheard can be part of and contribute meaningfully at all levels of society.
“Where We Are Going”
Ivan Ngandjui Touko
Ivan Ngandjui Touko
Ivan Touko, originally from Cameroon, moved to Edmonton in 2012 to attend the University of Alberta's Campus Saint-Jean, the only francophone institution west of Winnipeg. Since then, he has deeply immersed himself in the local community by volunteering and co-founding numerous student groups and social initiatives in the Edmonton area. As a result of his dedication, Ivan has received numerous accolades, including the AC Awards 2022 Artist of the Year and the ACGC's Top 30 under 30 award.In addition to his community work, Ivan is a successful entrepreneur. He is a Founder and CEO of La Connexional, a social enterprise that aims to showcase African, Caribbean and Latin cultures while increasing the sense of solidarity and connectedness between all diversities and communities in Edmonton, Alberta and Canada. Through La Connexional as an incubator, Ivan also Co-Founded Black Owned Market Edmonton (BOM YEG), and is the curator of Canada's Largest Afro x Latin Indoor Beach Tropical Staycation inside of West Edmonton Mall infamous World Waterpark.
Ivan's passion for wellness and movement is reflected in his work as a dance instructor and the founder of Groove With Ivan. Ivan has taught at many schools and creates safe spaces where everyone, no matter their age or background, can move their body, mind and soul without fear of judgement.
Through his multiple endeavors and community work, Ivan estimates that he has donated over 10,000+ hours and contributed to reinvesting over $80,000 in untapped communities. Today, Ivan has built a multi-faceted career with a wide range of experiences and skills in both the non-profit and corporate sectors.
Panel and Session Speakers
Yar Anyieth
Yar Anyieth
My name is Yar Anyieth, and I work within the not-for-profit space as a youth program coordinator. I have a background in Political Science and Sociology. I have a strong conviction for personal and community growth.
In recent years I have dedicated myself to becoming a more engaged community member, exploring my passions, and discovering ways to make the world a better place:) My Hobbies include: watching documentaries, reading and shopping.
Eric Baffour Awuah
Eric Baffour Awuah
Eric Awuah is the president & CEO of Apam Cultural Consult, researcher, facilitator, farmer, and a PhD Candidate of Socio-Cultural Anthropology at the University of Alberta. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance and Theater studies from the University of Ghana, and an M.A in Dance Knowledge, Practice, and Heritage from the Erasmus-Mundus Choreomundus International dance masters program. Eric has extensive experience in research areas such as Dance as Intangible Cultural Heritage, dance and identity politics, dance within museum and gallery spaces, Dance Anthropology, performance of heritage, and Ethnography. He has taught master classes and workshops in various countries including Ghana, Romania, Hungary, Norway, Burkina-Faso, and London. He has also been invited as a guest lecturer/presenter on various academic and community occasions, demonstrating his ability to effectively communicate and share knowledge. As a professional performer and installation artist for close to 2 decades, Eric has been involved in over 50 major academic and professional performances/installations, showcasing his talent and creativity. Eric has been the Artistic Director of his own independent artistic projects since 2008, demonstrating his leadership and entrepreneurial skills. He has also worked as a choreographer, facilitator, teacher, and storyteller, showcasing his versatility and expertise in various cultural roles. He has served as an ERASMUS+ Guest Scholar to the Danish National School of Performing Arts, highlighting his international recognition and collaborations.
Nosa Ayanru
Nosa Ayanru
Nosa Ayanru, a seasoned banker with over 20 years of experience in retail and commercial banking, has held leadership roles at one of Canada's leading banks, managing a team of commercial bankers in Edmonton, Alberta. His expertise spans debt recovery, small business, equipment finance, and commercial banking. Academically, he holds an MBA from the University of Wales, a B.A. in Marketing from Manchester Metropolitan University, and a Higher National Diploma from Yaba College of Technology. Currently, Nosa serves as the Vice President of Finance and Business Development at Core Capital in Western Canada.
Nosa also known as Nosa Sixx-5ive, is a versatile individual who balances a career as a banker with a passion for emceeing. With over 20 years of public speaking experience, he discovered his talent at 16 while watching TV hosts and comedians in Nigeria. Nosa refined his skills during his college years at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, earning the nickname "Sixx-5ive" for his ability to captivate audiences.
He went professional in 2005 after moving to England for further education. Since then, Nosa has hosted over 1000 events and addressed more than 100,000 people at various occasions, including conferences, rallies, pageants, product launches, weddings, birthdays, and concerts. His engaging style ensures he connects with audiences of all backgrounds and statuses.
Adeola Bankole
Adeola Bankole
Adeola, a seasoned professional with over a decade of dedicated service in the realms of internal audit and compliance, has gracefully transitioned her expertise from the banking sector to the public service. Her journey reflects a decade marked by unwavering commitment, professionalism, and a pursuit of excellence. Currently serving as a Senior Quality, Program, and Assurance Officer within the public service, Adeola navigates the intricacies of her role with a courteous demeanor, maintaining stellar working relationships both within and outside her department.
Beyond her corporate endeavours, Adeola is the visionary founder of Deola’s Delights, a flourishing baking business that specializes in crafting exquisite wedding cakes, celebration cakes, delectable cupcakes, pastries, and offers a sophisticated table styling service. Her entrepreneurial spirit has not only sweetened celebrations but has also added a touch of elegance to events through meticulous attention to detail. Deola's Delights has become synonymous with elegance and taste as she successfully orchestrates the creation, design, and execution of delectable delights that leave a lasting impression on clients.
Beyond the boardroom and the bakery, Adeola finds solace in the harmonious world of music during her leisure moments. Her multifaceted pursuits encapsulate a life dedicated to excellence, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of passion in both the professional and personal spheres.
MLA Sharif Haji
Sharif Haji
Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Haji was the executive director for the Africa Centre, from 2019 to 2023. He held various positions with the government of Alberta through 2014 to 2019 including manager of Alberta’s provincial affordable housing strategy, and Alberta’s primary health care strategy, and as a policy analyst. He also worked as the programs coordinator for the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition.
Mr. Haji is the cofounder and a board member of the Federation of African Canadian Economics, was a board member for the Centre for Race and Culture, Edmonton Multicultural Coalition. Mr. Haji has also sat on community impact councils for the United Way - Alberta Capital Region, and the community housing affordability collective in Calgary.
He was born in Somalia and holds both an undergraduate degree from the University of South Africa, and a master’s degree in public health, with specialization on global health, from the University of Alberta. Mr. Haji is married and has three children.
Mr. Haji is proud to be the first person of East African descent to be elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, and the first black Muslim elected to this position.
Yawa Idi
Yawa Idi
Yawa Idi currently works at the Africa Centre, serving as the Mental Health and Enhancing Gender Equity programs coordinator where she oversees day to day operations of the counselling clinic while also facilitating activities to reduce intimate partner violence in the African, Black and Caribbean communities. Her background and expertise in mental health and gender equity began when she was an undergrad student at the University of Alberta, where she had the experience of working as a research assistant. She is also in the final stages of completing her Masters in Counselling Psychology and aims to become a registered psychologist in Alberta while continuing community based research. Outside of work she writes and performs poetry, serves at her church as the lead of the photography team and enjoys teaching herself new languages which has allowed her to become intermediate in French and conversational in Japanese.
Owumi Irabor
Owumi Irabor
As a Branch Manager with Servus Credit Union, With more than 10 years experience in the financial industry, my greatest desire is to help people achieve their financial dreams, make sure they are satisfied with the advice and services we offer, my members’ happiness bring a great satisfaction to me.
Precious Majekodunmi
Precious Majekodunmi
Precious Majekodunmi is a dedicated fourth-year nursing student at the University of Alberta, who is passionate about integrating the art and science of nursing with various aspects of life. As the co-president of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance chapter at her university, she actively works to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the nursing community. In addition to her leadership role, Precious serves as the nursing councillor for the Students' Union, advocating for her peers and striving to enhance the educational and professional experiences of nursing students.
Beyond her academic and leadership commitments, Precious enjoys engaging in various extracurricular activities, such as participating in student organizations, attending workshops and conferences, participating in public health initiatives and mentoring junior nursing students. She is particularly interested in addressing healthcare disparities and improving access to quality care for underrepresented populations. With a strong foundation in nursing education and a commitment to making a positive impact, Precious aspires to be a catalyst for change in the healthcare field.
Joannie Fogue Mgamgne
Jeanne Joannie Fogue Mgamgne
Joannie Fogue is a dedicated advocate for women and youth, devoting her efforts to promoting the fight against violence, gender equality, sexual education, and mental health through political work, advocacy actions, and community building. She recently graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Political Science and is currently pursuing a Master's in Political Management at Carleton University.Joannie has over 5 years of executive leadership experience in advocacy. She served as the 2021-2023 president of AUFSJ and was elected Vice-President of Student Life at the University of Alberta Students' Union the following year, leading all non-academic advocacy efforts while representing the concerns of over 32,000 students. She now serves on the Youth Council of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.Driven by her commitment to service and community building, Joannie founded the non-profit Sekapa Foundation, dedicated to promoting social equity for women and children in her home country, Cameroon. She recently completed a certification in social entrepreneurship and secured funding to initiate projects aimed at creating a platform for young francophones of African origin, focusing on research, rights advocacy, and leadership.
Dulu Modi
Dulu Modi
Dulu Modi has a BA in Psychology & Sociology.
Dulu (she/her) has over 10 years of dedicated experience in the non-profit sector, ranging from grassroots initiatives to governmental programming.
Armed with BA’s in Sociology, specializing in Criminology and Psychology, Dulu brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and real-world expertise to her roles at REACH Edmonton and Centre for Race and Culture. As a Lebanese-born, South Sudanese refugee, Dulu's personal journey has deeply influenced her passion for community engagement and empowerment. Having spent most of her life in Edmonton, she is intimately connected to the city's multicultural fabric and how African youth interact within it.
Anisa Mugtaar
Anisa Mugtaar
Anisa Mugtaar is the visionary founder and CEO of Desserts by Liyaah, a renowned artisanal bakery specializing in exquisite desserts. With a passion for baking ignited from childhood, Liyaah embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2020 to blend creativity with culinary excellence.
Born and raised in a family where baking was a cherished tradition, Liyaah honed her skills through self-teaching and hands on experiences. Her commitment to using only the finest ingredients and crafting each dessert with meticulous attention to detail has set Desserts by Liyaah apart. Anisa finds joy in outdoor activities with her family, exploring new restaurants with loved ones, experimenting with cooking and baking all types of cuisines, as well as traveling to learn about diverse cultures. Follow Anisa’s Dessert page for all the exciting bakes and events she participates in.
Ufuoma Muhwen
Ufuoma Muhwen
Ufuoma Muhwen is the Founder and CEO of NotJustYou, a Sickle Cell Support Organization devoted to creating a support system for individuals and families affected by the disease. Ufuoma holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology from the University of Alberta, and certificates in Interdisciplinary Leadership and Nonprofit Management. Ufuoma is also a member of multiple public health and private sector advisory boards, helping to improve health care experiences for Black Canadians.
Ufuoma is a lover of all things enjoyment and is a big time foodie! She finds joy in cooking new recipes, trying new restaurants, and traveling to new destinations. You can find Ufuoma documenting her tasty experiences on her Instagram food blog!
Dunia Nur
Dunia Nur
Dunia Nur is a woman of African-descent and holds a dual degree in Social Work and Child & Youth Care, as well as an executive education certificate in business and leadership. She is the co-founder and president of the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council (ACCEC). Dunia has ten years’ experience in social work, management, supervision, and creating rehabilitation programs. Her expertise is in the areas of anti-oppression practices, African Indigenous knowledge systems, community development, Afro-feminism, intersectionality discourse analysis and the analysis of racial and cultural impact on Afro-Indigenous individuals. She is also acquainted with developmental trauma and mental health among refugee populations, and is known for her anti-racism framework, specializing in Islamophobia and gender based violence.
Lillah Penddah
Lillah Penddah
Lillah Penddah is a founder, TEDx speaker, and a podcast host. She advocates for the minority experience by helping people get comfortable with having the uncomfortable conversations needed to bring about meaningful change and allyship. Her company AFRO FACTS creates educational tools played as games to help people increase their awareness with respect to Black History and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIB).
Her podcast "The Conversation is the Relationship" sheds light on the minority experience and creates the safe space needed to acknowledge missteps, hear different perspectives, and learn through the lens of the minority experience.
As a speaker in the DEIB space, her intention is to change the world in the ways she knows how by utilizing the power of education, communication and collaboration.
Craig Wellington
Craig Wellington
Craig Wellington is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Black Opportunity Fund, a Black community-led charitable organization whose mandate is to deploy needs-informed capital, to promote socio-economic empowerment for Canada’s Black communities. Wellington and the Black Opportunity Fund team are currently preparing to launch a $50 million Private Equity fund to invest in Black founded businesses, as well as a similar sized investment vehicle to create pathways to homeownership for Black Canadians.
Wellington has held progressive leadership positions in public sector and not for profit organizations for more than 30 years. In 2023 he was named to the list of Top 100 Canadian Professionals.
Craig is also an accomplished diversity, equity & inclusion consultant, who has helped organizations in Canada and the U.S. develop and implement impactful strategies to transform their culture. He is a member of the EDI Advisory Council for the One Child, Every Child, child health research initiative led by the University of Calgary, as well as the Black Community Housing Advisory Table (BCHAT). He also sits on the Board of Let’s Talk Science and is a former member of the Toronto Chief of Police's Black Community Consultative Committee.
Kaydeen Wright
Kaydeen Wright
Kaydeen Wright is a seasoned educator with teaching experience in both Jamaica and Japan. She hails from the vibrant city of Montego Bay in Jamaica. Kaydeen also holds a graduate degree in Educational Policy Studies, specializing in Social Justice and International Studies from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Kaydeen is currently working in the field of Healthcare Technology.
Kaydeen’s focus is on 'the key’ to the liberation of Black female image, which can be seen in her poetry collection ‘Black Girl-ing.
Also, Kaydeen has been honing her craft as a poet and writer since the age of 14 years of old. She passionately understands the transformative power that poetry holds, and how it can elevate the mundane to the sublime.
Kaydeen recognizes poetry as a vehicle for expression, escapism, and establishing a sense of order in her life. She thrives on the adventurous spirit of exploration and traversing the less-traveled paths in life.