Trevor David, Executive, Director- Mr. David is an entrepreneur with a variety of business interest, however he is primarily involved with Caribbean real estate marketing, tourism & resort development Mr. David's parents immigrated to UK from Grenada when he was four years old, at the age of eight his parents immigrated to Canada in the late 1960's. He is a product of the City of Toronto and has resided in Toronto for over 40 years. As a business man/social entrepreneur he has been involved with a variety of community-based organizations over the years bringing his passion for social and economic justice to each cause. Mr. David has invested his strong business acumen and social entrepreneurial passion into this innovative and unique "social purpose" enterprise that addresses structural socio-economic issues from a macro-economic perspective. Over the years Mr. David has consistently sourced niche opportunities with-in niche opportunities that provides real solutions to social and business challenges. He strongly believes that AfriCana Village & Museum will make the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) a world class cultural heritage tourism destination that celebrates cultural diversity in a tangible and economically sustainable manner, so that ALL communities will benefit. Furthermore, Mr. David is also CEO of David & Associates David & Associates, an Afri-centric cultural tourism and destination marketing company specializing in promoting Toronto and Region as a destination of choice for African-American meetings, conventions and leisure travel. Mr. David's vision of AfriCana Village evolved out of a burning passion and desire to address social and economic ills whilsts showcasing the great history and culture of African-Canadians. His goal is to create an "economic engine" and "wealth generator" for the African-Canadian community leveraging its rich 400 years of history and culture. His goal is to develop an africentric cultural heritage tourism product incorporating a hybrid- social enterprise matrix that delivers an excellent blended- value social impact Return-On-Investment (ROI) for Non-profit AfriCana Village & Museum and steady reasonable ROI for the shareholders & investors of AfriCana Village Development Corporation. His vision is to cultivate and develop sustainable economic and cultural development opportunities for African-Canadians and the wider community through the development of a world class Africentric/Caribbean-themed cultural heritage tourism and entertainment destination. Mr. David envisions a "Field of Dreams" a place call home, a place that honours our ancestors and their 400 years of blood, sweat and tears in helping to build Canada " Our Home and Native Land". An iconic economic and cultural nod and legacy to those who came before us and to those yet unborn. AfriCana Village will simply be a place for ALL who love and values the great and immense contributions of the sons and daughters of Africa to humanity and world civilization, the African-Diaspora and Mama Africa the birth place of humanity, natural beauty, universal genius, the beat of the drum, the heart beat of humanity, the heart of the city, a cultural and economic eco-system that sustains and breathes life into Africentric-Canadian- Caribbean Heritage, Arts, Music, Culture, History and Cuisine in Canada, and indeed the World.
Jules Gervais Ghebi, Director- Mr. Jules Gervais Gbehi is the President & CEO of DreamBackers Enterprises Inc
Mr Gbehi. has been working with numerous community-based initiatives and international development ventures. While working on various worthy causes, M. Gbehi has impressed more than one person with his exceptional expertise, talent, vision and sound leadership at both the administrative and managerial levels. His reputation as a charismatic and inspirational leader has earned him great respect among his peers in both the private and public spheres. Mr. Gbehi has organized, co-ordinated and led the activities and operations of numerous organizations operating in the fields of community development, public administration, international development and in the business fraternity. Due to his commitment to the social advancement of individuals and communities around the world, Mr. Gbehi founded the Africa Development Alliance (ADA/wocoda-adecom), a non-profit community-based organization. ADA is managed and run by volunteer Board of Directors of from all walks of life. M. Gbehi has worked tirelessly to help improve the lives of African Diaspora so that they can play an effective role in their both host country and their country of origin. In addition to running ADA on voluntary basis, M.Gbehi has established viable partnerships and contributed immensely to the activities of numerousorganizations and agencies, including community and social services, advocacy networks, business associations, government agencies and Nongovernmentalorganizations operating at local, regional and international levels. On numerous occasions, leaders and activists of various organizations and agencies have come to rely on the valuable advice and professional skills of M. Gbehi,who has enabled them, develop a better vision in all their organizational endeavours.
More importantly, M.Gbehi is known and admired for his commitment to promote economic development, and the alleviation of poverty in Africa.M. Gbehi has inspired, influenced and worked closely with progressive decision-makers in Canada and Africa to help build a better world for the suffering masses including women, children, and the impoverished masse of our society. M. Gbehi is also known for his laudable efforts to promote peace, justice, racial tolerance and mutual dialogue among diverse communities in Canada. Mr. Gbehi is the proud father of Jules Gervais Jr. &Princess Aya-Toani
COMMUNITY’S INVOLVEMENT
2009, Founder & CEO for ASMEC (Africa Small & Medium Entreprise Conference)
www.africasmeconference.com
2006, President of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Parents Council
2004, Vice-president, the Ivorian Association of the Greater Toronto Area,
2003, Founder, World’s Father Conference
2003, Board Member, African Canadian Social Development Council
2003, Vice-President, Coopérative Radiophonique de Toronto
2002-2003, Alumni to the Leaders for Change program (Community Leadership Program) offered by The Maytree Foundation in Canada
2002, Chair of Communications & International Committee Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition Conference – (OHCC)
2002, Chairman of the Board, African community Health Services,
2002, Member of Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition, Ontario, Canada,
2001, Co-Chair of The Canada-China Toronto International Health Industry
2001Founder, World Communities Development Alliance / ADA RECOGNATIONS
The House of Common Papyrus for the World Father’s Conference 2003 AWARD for Innovative and Outstanding Contribution for Quality Integration into the
Canadian Society by the World Communities Development Alliance
AWARD for Special Contribution by the African –
Caribbean Community for Health Issues in Ontario
Nominee for YMCA-Toronto Peace Medallion 2002
AWARD of Commitment and Dedication for Diversity Issues by the Ontario Healthy Community Coalition
Public and motivational speaker on various issues
Mr. Michael E. Williams, Director- For over 20 years, Michael Williams has conducted numerous live interviews with world renowned music and film artists such as Robert Plant, Whitney Houston, Seal, Celine Dion, Metallica, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, The Chieftains, Ice T, Aaron Neville, Chicago, Spike Lee, Bryan Adams, Smokey Robinson, Harry Connick Jr., Janet Jackson, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Phil Collins, Earth, Wind and Fire, Neil Young, Sade, Marianne Faithful, Ertha Kitt, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole and Quincy Jones, just to name a few. Williams has been recognized as one of the best interviewers in North America. In addition to his television interviews, Williams continues to be in demand as a presenter at awards galas including the Junos, the Geminis and Youth Achievement Awards and is regularly featured on CTV, CBC and YTV. While at MuchMusic from 1984 to 1993, Williams hosted the World Music Video Awards, the Canadian Music Video Awards and the MuchMusic Video Awards. He was producer, TV host and VJ for the hit shows, Soul in the City, Rap City, Electric Circus, Power Hour and New Music. Before MuchMusic, Williams was heard over the airwaves at leading radio stations in Montreal – CHOM FM and CKGM AM, and in Toronto - CHUM FM. Currently Williams is active behind the scenes in programming, promotions, writing for himself and others including radio and television scripts, program creation, interviews and articles for music publications. Williams owns Black Rose Recording Studios in Toronto and since January of 2003, he has been teaching courses (Canadian & Int’l Music Industry Overview and Recording Artist Management) at the Toronto campus of an international film and music educational institution.The year of Two Thousand Four [2004] also saw the launch of Michael’s self-produced radio show The College of Musical Knowledge on Wave 94.7 (CIWV-FM) Sundays at 10:00 pm – 1:00 am. Michael brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to AfriCana Village that will stand AfriCana Village in good stead as we moved forward.
Ms. Shelley Hamilton, Director- Shelley Hamilton’s debut CD “Feeling Good” was released to great acclaim in 2004 at the CBC’s Glenn Gould Theatre. Shelley has alsocreated “Feeling Good”, a one woman cabaret show that recieved rave reviews at The Atlantic and Hamilton Fringe Festivals, and inToronto in Yorkville. Her music video, Cali Alone, was shot in Costa Rica and debuted in 2006 on Bravo Television. Her credits include:CBC’s Rita McNeil & Friends, Anne Murray’s Christmas, The Newsroom, Breakfast Television, and a variety of shows on the Comedy Network, and for several years, has been a featured performer at the DuMaurier/Toronto Jazz Festival. Shelley has sung in Dubai, Japan,Holland, the Caribbean, as well as all over Canada and the U.S. She is part of the a cappella ensemble The Delightful Divas, and is thefeatured vocalist on the 2003 Juno Award-winning album Allegro, by Warner Music artist Robert Michaels. Shelley is also the featured vocalist on One World by Jamie Bonk which won Album of the Year and Best Instrumental Album – Acoustical NAR Lifestyle Music Awards. Shelley was honoured to be part of the 2007 Vagina Monoluges cast in Toronto. Her rich, fluid interpretation of music blends contemporary & original elements of Latin jazz, soul, and pop..In 2008, Ms. Hamilton launched A New Hope, is a one-woman play in celebration of the 225th anniversary of the Black Loyalist and the first free settlement of Blacks in North America. She was honoured to have been commissioned to write this play for the 2008 summer celebrations in Nova Scotia by the Black Loyalist Heritage Society. The feedback has been amazing with standing ovations for each show! Being of Black Loyalists roots, this work has a special place in Shelley's heart, especially since as a student, she performed in the 200th anniversary 25 years ago doing theater work of the same significance. It's a full circle moment for Ms. Hamilton, and she have been asked to do a Toronto performance again of this work before the end of this year. Shelley's deep African- Canadian roots and stellar artistic background and experience is a definite asset to AfriCana Village & Museum. As a Director of AfriCana Village, Shelly's primary responsibility is to coordinate outreach, liaison and advise on matters relating to indigenous African -Canadian history and culture.