Mr. Paul Winn:Toronto born Vancouver-based Government consultant and advisor,writer, entrepreneur and former Vice Chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. Mr. Winn's understanding of Government and race relations issues coupled with his sage advice and wisdom will be a very important asset to AfriCana Village as we move forward. Mr. Winn can trace his African-Canadian ancestry roots back to the 1840's.
Dr. Charles Quist-Adade: is a Sociology professor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University Dr. Quist-Adade specializes in race and ethnicity and media and society. His other areas of teaching and research interest are globalization, social justice, and social theory.Prior to joining the Department of Sociology in 2005,Dr. Quist-Adade Quist-Adade taught at the University of Windsor. He also taught at Wayne State University and Central Michigan University, and Michigan State University, all in the USA.He is the author of In the Shadows of the Kremiln and the White House: Africa’s Media Image from Communism to Post-Communism, several chapters in books and scores of scholarly and popular press articles. He has presented several papers at conferences in Canada, India, the USA and Russia. Dr. Quist-Adade has won several teaching awards, including being cited twice in the Academic Edition of Canada’s premier newsmagazine Maclean’s as the top three most popular and one of 10 best professor at the University of Windsor, Ontario. Dr. Quist-Adade combines academic with community service. He is the editor and publisher of Sankofa News a publication with a commitment to promoting multiculturalism in Canada and beyond. He is the President of the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of BC and the Managing Editor of the Burnaby, BC-based Afri-Can magazine. He was awarded the 2004 Black Community Leadership Award by the Windsor and District Black Coalition. In 1998, he was voted the Ghanaian Man of the Year in Windsor, Ontario. Dr. Quist-Adade began his career in his native Ghana as a journalist before moving to Russia where he pursued graduate studies while he worked as a correspondent of the London (U. K.)-based Gemini News Service. While in Russia, he also stringed for BBC Africa Service, the London-based African magazines, New African, African Concord and West Africa.
Ms. Onuwa Ogbolu, Onuwa Victoria Ogbolu is a former university professor, and holds a B.A. (First Class Honours) and a Masters Degree in Fine Arts. She has worked extensively on the promotion of arts, culture, and heritage. As a professional artist, Onuwa has shown her works, known for their cultural and heritage undertone to both international and domestic audience. She is a trained art historian and an experienced curator. She is also trained as a Computer Engineer and worked in the House of Commons as a Computer Network Engineer. She was a computer instructor and a vocational trainer who taught computer skills to severely disabled adults and customized their computer equipment to suit individual disability. During this time, Onuwa started to realize the socio-cultural and economic challenges facing minority groups. Since then, she has become an advocate for youths, women, and the disabled. She is currently working on a research project that will investigate the contemporary art of black Canadians. The aim of this project is to properly document Black Canadian contemporary art as a means for preserving the African- Canadian cultural history. Onuwa is currently the President and CEO of Canada Mi Dream Holdings, an art, culture, and heritage consultancy organization. CMDH is a research and educational based company that explores the social, cultural, and economic significance of arts, culture, and heritage especially in the African Canadian community. The vision is to bridge the culture gap, get Canadians talking to one another, and its objective is to promote cultural understanding. As a community based organization, CMDH works to motivate, inspire, and empower people through arts and cultural education. This company advocates positive integration, interaction, and partnership as a foundation for unity and understanding. Onuwa biggest challenge is to utilize CMDH to build a stronger African- Canadian community within the new and emerging Canadian Cultural reality. Onuwa's primary responsibility with AfriCana Village is Director of communications and strategic initiatives.
Onome I. Natufe, Youth Outreach, is a student at the University of Toronto, majoring in African Studies. His interest is in exploring the merits of Black relations in today’s Canada. As an African studies major, he hopes to be involved in the building of a strong African Canadian community. He ran a youth empowerment program for underprivileged youths and served as a youth mentor in his church. He is currently working with some partners in an initiative that will strengthen and empower black youths in Toronto in order to eradicate violence and promote self worth. This year Onome will be interning with the Anti-Racism cultural diversity office, at the University of Toronto which is in coalition with the University of Toronto Students Union. Onome holds a diploma in Radio and Television Broadcasting from the National Institute of Broadcasting, Toronto. He hopes to use his talent to serve as a voice for marginalized African Canadian youths. Early this year, Onome launched his own t-shirt line called the Rapid Eye Movement. As the director of REM, he wants to promote the image of black youths and assist them with proper dressing techniques. He believes that image is the first introduction to who we are and who we want to be. He wants to empower every person who wears his garments and remind them that their image is tied to their future, which is just a dream away. The company will incorporate better dressing, feeling good, and social responsibility as the way to good citizenship. Onome contends that it is not about brands or expensive outfits but how it is put together. He is planning a workshop to help kids with how to project a good image through character building. This will include what to wear, mannerism, carriage in an interview and social gathering situations, and how they can become a positive influence in society. Onome's primary responsibility with AfriCana Village is youth outreach, his mandate is to educate, mobilize, and engage youths so they can play an active role in shaping and building economic and cultural institutions that will leave a positive legacy for themselves and the next generation, thus shaping their own destiny and the destiny of the wider community.
Ms. Sahara Peterkin, attends the University of Toronto currently in third year and specializing in both Political Science and Sahara Peterkin, Director, the Executive Secretary attends the University of Toronto currently in third year and specializing in both Political Science and Human Geography. She has worked with various not-for-profit organizations in the capacity of office manager, administrator, and coordinator. She graduated with honors from R.H. King Academy and maintained a position in the Dramatic Arts council for four consecutive years. She held an executive position and coordinated, organized, and collaborated with fellow artists to put on shows for both the families of students as well as the general public. During her tertiary education, she assisted in mentoring youth in an organization called Youth Unlimited. This organization is a faith-based nonprofit program, assisting youths to achieve their goals from a multidimensional framework. Moreover, at the end of my placement, I was offered a researching position with a senior youth worker to commence next fall. With interests in both the physical design of cities and the need to help others, she hopes to work as an urban planner in the city of Toronto to alleviate the physical barriers that prevent the underprivileged from becoming more socially connected to society.
Dr. Howard McCurdy: The legendary Dr. Howard McCurdy, former M.P. and leadership candidate for the federal NDP Party and Professor of Biology, University of Windsor, ret.. In 1989 some twenty years before Barack Obama launched his candidacy for the US presidency. Our Barack Obama Dr. McCurdy made a serious run for the federal NDP Party leadership and changed the face of politics in Canada forever. Dr. McCurdy is a highly respected and much sought after speaker and leader in the African-Canadian community provincially and nationally. Dr. McCurdy hails from Windsor Ontario and his family roots go back hundreds of years in Canada to descendants of the Black Empire Loyalists. His wisdom and insights will help shape the AfriCana vision in a myriads of ways. We are deeply honoured to have Dr. McCurdy's blessings, support, and guidance as we undertake this venture.
Mr. Archie Alleyne: Performing Arts: World-renowned Canadian Jazz musician, youth mentor and recipient of the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award by Urban Music Association of Canada, and African Canadian Lifetime Achievement Award by Pride Magazine. Drummer Archie Alleyne has been on the jazz scene in Toronto since the mid to late 1950's. He has an enormous energy and love of music that over these years has brought him respect and admiration from many, many local and international musicians. Apart from appearing in just about every club in the Toronto area, (House of Hambourg, Cellar, 1st Floor, Towne Tavern, Top O' the Senator, Montreal Bistro, George's Spaghetti House, Bourbon Street....just to name a few), he has also traveled all over the world with various artists, appearing in Birdland, New York, The Blue Note in Chicago, Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit, Festivals in Europe, and tours in Egypt, Nigeria, Scotland, Ireland, Antigua, and other locations too numerous to mention.
Further Achievements & Awards
2005- Urban Music Association of Canada (UMAC): The Lifetime Achievement Award
2003- Brandon Street Community Development Foundation: The Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund.
2003- International association of Jazz Education: For Outstanding Service to Jazz Education
2003- Pride Magazine: African Canadian Lifetime Achievement Award
2000- Toronto Arts Award: Honouring Significant Artistic Excellence and Achievement
1993- Jazz Report Award: In Recognition of Musical Excellence & Drummer of the Year
1981- Cheer Productions: Canadian Black Music Award & Black Music Pioneer (see links section re: kollage for more info)
Mr. Francis Jeffers, Museum, Subcomittee: President of Jeffers Associates. Mr. Jeffers is also curator of the International African Inventors Museum. He is also founder and Executive Director of The Visions of Science Network for Learning. Visions of Science is an initiative that focuses on the promotion of science, technology and engineering to the African Canadian Community with special emphasis on stimulating African-Canadian youth to consider Science , Technology and Engineering as viable career options. Mr. Jeffers will spearhead and give organizational and strategic guidance to AfriCana Village African-Canadian History Museum. See Links section for more information on Mr. Jeffers's outstanding achievements and contribution to the African-Canadian community and indeed the wider community.
Mr.Andrew Moodie, Advisor Performing Arts: Andrew Moodie is an actor, writer, director who has performed in many theatrical, film and television productions. Most recently he was seen at the Blyth Theatre Festival performing in "The Eyes of Heaven", and "World Without Shadows". He has acted in many theatres all across the country. He played Nelson Mandela in "In the Freedom of Dreams: The Nelson Mandela Story" for the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, Othello in Shakespeare in the Rough's™s production of "Othello" for which he garnered a Dora nomination for Best Male Performance. He will be seen in Eastern Front's 'The Satchmo Suite' in the spring of 2008, and his play 'The Real McCoy is returning to the Factory theatre, and then will be remounted at Ottawa's Great Canadian Theatre Company.His writing credits include the play 'Riot' for which he won a Chalmers award for Factory theater, 'Wilbur County Blues' for Blythe Center for the Arts, and 'A Common Man's Guide to Loving Women' for the National Arts Centre and the Canadian Stage Company and Black Theatre Workshop Montreal. He won a Writer's Guild Award for his contribution to the CBC radio play "Afghanada". His directing credits include Michael Miller's "The Power of Harriet T" For Manitoba Theatre for Young People and For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf" For the Coloured Girls Collective. And "The Real McCoy" for the Factory Theatre, and The Great Canadian Theatre Company. He is also the host of TV Ontario's Big Ideas. Mr. Moodie's world class credentials and experience will be an asset to AfriCana Village as he spearheads AfriCana Village vision of developing a world class performing arts facility dedicated to promoting and executing plays and other artistic performances that celebrates and tells the African-Canadian story in words, music and song.
Mr. Stanley Taylor: Mr. Taylor is one of Canada’s up and coming African-Canadian actors. He is an actor/dancer with over 20 years experience in the biz. Mr. Taylor has done numerous TV commercials and most recently had a principal role in the hit movie, The Sentinel, starring Michael Douglas. Mr. Taylor is also a student of the Alvin Ailey Dance company, The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and a principal dancer with the Danny Grossman Dance Company. Mr. Taylor’s knowledge and contacts in the African-Canadian Thespian/Theatre/Dance community will assist and guide AfriCana Village initiative to create an Afrocentric film theatre to show case African-Canadian films and documentaries.
Vernol "(Vern)" Braithwaite: Mr. Braithwaite's African -Canadian roots goes back to the 1700's, he grew up in Halifax Nova Scotia, he has a strong interest and involvement in sports, music, and community affairs. As a young man, he held a variety of positions in various government departments. In the mid 60's became involved in community organizing and worked with some of the initial members of the CYC (Company of Young Canadians), and alongside the legendary Rocky Jones, and his wife Joan. Mr. Braithwaite resided for a while in Montreal; before moving to Hollywood California to pursue an acting career. Eventually he became involved in businesses around the Entertainment industry; including Beverley Hills night clubs, and limousine business. Moved to Vancouver in the late 80's bringing his limousine business along. Simultaneously operating a restaurant and dining lounge. Mr. Braithwaite was a member of a singing group in Halifax as a young man, and resumed singing and writing in the late 90's, and began a publishing, and recording company; Coast City Music. Continually concerned about promoting World Peace; through Love of God, and Respect for Mankind; wrote letters, and sent copies of his CD: Pax Vobiscum-Peace Be With You, to Reverend Billy Graham Sr., The United Nations, and many World Leaders. Received acknowledgements and correspondence from several Prime Ministers, Presidents, and Kings. Deeply concerned about Racial Harmony and Understanding wrote: "MY PEOPLE WERE NOT SLAVES" to Educate, and Enlighten, and to transform the "stigma" of racial condescension, to an understanding, and appreciation, of; how we got here, what we came through, and where we came from.The book based on the poem; based on the book, "soon come". Mr. Braithwaite's background, experience and guidance will be a source of strength and enlightenment to AfriCana Village as we move forward.
Richard Dawkins: Youth Outreach
Mr. Dawkins has a diploma in Entertainment business Management from the Academy of Design and Technology. He is the co-founder of Diet Monkey Entertainment , which is an event planning company that operates in Jamaica. Presently he is the Marketing Coordinator for Toxic Hollywood Inc. which is an Online Entertainment Magazine. Mr. Dawkins's goal is to establish himself in business and become a community activist working with youth relating to economic and cultural empowerment.
Mr. Stanley "Lonnie" Taylor (Honourary): Mr. Taylor has spent over 20 years experience in the Diplomatic Corps on behalf of the Government of Barbados including a 5 year stint in Ottawa as Barbados High Commissioner/Ambassador to Canada. Mr. Taylor is also, a former Executive Director of The Barbados Chamber of Commerce. From Washington D.C. to Ottawa, Mr. Taylor held positions at the highest levels in the international diplomatic arena, a his sage advice will be an asset to AfriCana Village & Museum.