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Community Leader of the Year – Tope Akindele
Tope Akindele was born in Nigeria and immigrated to Canada since 2010. As soon he got here, he sought to connect with the community members and was part of the rallying force that brought different groups from the Nigerian community together under one umbrella. He is a community minded individual who has contributed a lot of his time, volunteering in the community and ensuring that newcomers and members of the Nigerian community embrace and integrate into the Canadian culture and society. His community spirit, his patience and ability to connect with people on different levels has made him a go to person to bridge connections and problem solve within the community. He is a natural servant leader who has been and continues to be exemplary in service.
Some of his community initiatives Tope has successfully strengthened the Nigerian Canadian Association of Edmonton Ceremony (NCAE). Nigeria being a country made up of lots of different ethnic groups, there was some difficulty coming together as a group to speak with one voice and provide community and support to other newcomers who want to identify with the Nigerian community as group. Prior to his joining the leadership of the association, it was fledgling. He grew the organization to one that serves over 200 families in Edmonton, with fourteen board members currently.
He organizes community events. A recent one is the celebration of the 59th Nigeria’s Independence on October 05 2019. This brought together members of the community to network and have a fun gettogether, with music and food. It was a way of bringing families out of isolation and providing a platform for socializing, engaging with one another and expanding circles of friendship. The attendance was up to 210 persons. This event also brought together the immigrant community with the mainstream organizations and resources, who were sponsors for this event. Community leaders like Honorable Amarjeet Sohi and Counsellor John Dziadyk were in attendance. Counsellor John Dziadyk represented the Mayor Don Iverson and declared October 1st Nigeria Independence Day in Edmonton.
Tope also coordinated the raising of the Nigerian flag at the flagpole of the Winston Churchill square in Edmonton as part of the activities to mark the independence celebration. This sparked such a joy and pride in Edmontonians of Nigerian heritage and boosted community spirit, especially in young people. This year’s Heritage Days celebration was a unique opportunity he took to create an avenue for young people to volunteer in key roles at the Nigerian stand, to identify with the culture and engage with people in a fun way.
He is a community activist who speaks out against racism and delivers the community’s stand against all barriers to full integration.
He saw many projects within the association to fruition, most of them with a focus on connecting community members to each other for various supports and in a variety of settings –social, education, empowerment sessions, etc. He also connected many families to the organization to network and access resources available for them. He connects newcomers to resource through the immigrant serving agencies in Edmonton.
He makes time from his full time employment to do all these and his efforts has enabled the Nigerian association to become stronger. Tope has dedicated himself to the service of community and assistance of those struggling to settle into a new city. And all of these contributions were on volunteer time, without payment.
Why he has chosen to become involved in these initiatives Tope believes that it is important for newcomers and members of the community to fully contribute to the health of the Canadian society. When he moved to Edmonton, he found a niche. He knew that he could support many newcomers that were making Edmonton their new home, and also the Canadian born Nigerians. He spends a lot of his time serving to bridge the integration of newcomers in the city and to create networks that serve both newcomers and other Nigerian community members. His mission is to ensure that the Nigerian newcomer has a support network to help their transitioning into a new life in Canada and to ensure physical and mental stability for them.
The need that is served through these initiatives and the impact it has on the community Tope brought a new hope and motivation to the Nigerian community to come together as one and support each other. He is a tireless leader who emotes trust. The community strongly feels the positive impact of his leadership style. The NCAE is now playing a significant role in integrating people into the larger Canadian Society. Tope’s work has been of great benefit to not only the Nigerian community but to the larger society. 1. He supports families in learning about the Edmonton system. 2. Mental and physical wellbeing for the community is enhanced by his involvement. 3. He builds capacity among members of the community. 4. He informs the community of resources and keep them current regarding news that would impact families in any way. 5. He connects resource persons with the Board of NCAE and community members to provide information sessions, workshops and trainings in leadership and capacity building. Some of the workshops were with: 6. His support for the youth enables them to focus on their short-term and long term goals. He is such an active multi-tasker and an ardent believer in self-giving.
Measure of the impact of his work Tope’s work has helped in many ways to prepare Edmonton for newcomers and vice versa. The NCAE has partnered with other agencies and organizations, both communities and mainstream, to explore synergies and to promote the understanding of the diverse members of the City and to create a sense of belonging for all. Some of the impact of his work can be seen in the following ways: 1. The community now has a visible and vibrant organization that newcomers can quickly connect with to ensure they have the support they need. 2. More and more members of the community are brought out of isolation as they connect and be a part of the events that he organizes. 3. Reducing the gap between the Canadian culture and the Nigerian culture by helping his community members to integrate with the Canadian society.
Demonstration of ongoing commitment Tope has always been a very cautious, caring, and intuitive leader and has proven this repeatedly. He is always on top of his game not only because of is great instinctive ability to lead, but also the amount of time and effort he takes to find the best resources for the NCAE. He sources funds to ensure that projects in the community are executed without a hitch. He connects with community members who can be a resource in their different professions to support members and community projects. Some of them are researchers, doctors, lawyers, all helping the community in one way of another to thrive. Tope continues to pour himself into the community work solely on volunteering basis, showing commitment and passion
for helping and mentoring. He constantly coaches young people and tries to develop up and coming community leaders in order that there will be a succession plan for the Nigerian Community leadership.
Qualities that make him an excellent candidate to receive this Award? Tope is an individual who is very community minded and works to ensure full participation of individuals in the community. I believe that some of the qualities that have shown up in his community work are: responsibility creativity Being proactive effective communicator honesty empathy
He is tireless when it comes to volunteering for the community. He is usually available and responsive even at tough times of the day. He puts others needs ahead of his own. He always brings new initiatives to support the current NCAE board and to expand the work of the organization. He is so involved in the community that he proactively suggests initiatives that move the community forward and help the youth and their parents live fuller and more integrated lives in Edmonton.
Community Leader of the Year – Kazir Coulibaly
If everyday our communities are concerned first with their members by their own skills, their work and by the enthusiasm of the people that leaders have to galvanize, communities will improve better their daily life. Born in 1978 in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa), Salif Kazir Coulibaly was a former City Councilor and President of Social Affairs commission from 2013 to 2015 in his home town of Fronan in Côte d’Ivoire. He did not hesitate to engage in non-profit organizations upon his arrival in Canada in May 2015. CANAVUA, WATERWING Department at BOYLE STREET COMMUNITY SERVICE, ACTION FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITY and COMMUNAUTÉ IVOIRO-CANADIENNE D’EDMONTON (CICE) where he is the current President, are some organizations which Kazir did not need to be asked twice to be a volunteer. Kazir has spread his energy, used his skills to help communities and organizations to move forward. In his role as President of CICE, he is ensuring the empowerment of women as well as working hard on building intercultural relationships rather than multicultural. He likes to say women are the backbone of humanity and if they are well organized in diversity and love, there is no reason Peace will not be achieved. The traditional fashion describing the culture of communities and countries has been one of his tools he used to make women association great again. Also, giving half of the seats of CICE board to women in order to involve them in decision making has provided new thoughts and understanding of some concepts. One of his projects was to design the website of the community and create a YouTube Channel to easily spread what communities do all over the world. He has completed this project and he is on track to perform those services. Regarding the intercultural project, his commitment remains high. Working to bring all communities together by sharing experience, sharing reliable and accurate information, providing support, are some challenges Kazir and his team are working on. “We cannot help everyone but everyone can help someone”Ronald Reagan said. Cultural events, workshops, barbecues, becoming a member in all organizations, attending other communities’ activities, are some actions he achieved with his team during the past 6 months. Many projects need to be executed so let’s work side by side with community members in order to achieve the greater goal of completing the required projects, Kazir said.
Community Leader of the Year – Giscard Kodiane
Giscard Kodiane was the first french speaking immigrant in Edmonton to promote the cultures of newcomers by promoting a strong tradition of oral history and the value of traditional dance competitions in different communities throughout their youth, with the goal of retaining the right to ‘teach history to future generations about their ancestors, which gives rise to a positive attitude of the host society.
Giscard arrived in Canada in March 2009 from Côte d’Ivoire, and he quickly inspired the creation of the Ivorian-Canadian community of Edmonton, then the community of French-speaking African associations in Edmonton, as well as the creation of a consular office of representation of Côte d’Ivoire in Edmonton. Today, as a board member of Pont Cultural Bridge (PCB, of which he is a co-founder) and also as FRAP-PASE’s Community Connection Agent, he continues his tireless work of gathering and unification of community members, and community associations in Edmonton.
Community Leader of the Year – Joy Gihana
Joy Gihana is Mental Health/Family psychotherapist. She is the owner of family Life and Beyond, a private practice with a mission for empower individuals, couples, parents and families to be their best version through counseling, workshops and seminars.
Joy Gihana wears many different hats; wife and a mother (of 3 gorgeous babies), community leader, Psychotherapist, College instructor, to mention but a few.
She holds a Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB) and a Master Degree in Counseling Psychology. In 2009 when Joy moved to Canada she secured herself the first job in Canada as a case worker in the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for newcomers. Having worked with the United Nation High commission for Refugees as resettlement worker, Joy was able to support newcomers and immigrants to Canada integrate in the new foreign land.
In 2012, Joy Gihana secured herself a job as a Family Intervention Generalist, whose job was to work in partnership with the Ministry of Children Services (Edmonton) to support and protect children and their families.
In 2014 Joy Gihana decided to purse a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. This was one of the hardest phases of Joy’s life as she had three kids all under the age of 5 at the time. In addition mothering her 3 children, she was still holding down a 3 full time job. What sets Joy Gihana apart is that despite all the hurdles that life brought her at point in time, she was able to graduate with honours Masters degree from Yorkville University in 2016.
In 2016, Joy Gihana was able to secure a job with Mcman youth, family and community services as a clinician. As a clinician Joy ensured the program met the therapeutic needs of the clients while ensuring the agency’s values are maintained. Additionally Joy provided individual counseling and therapy to families, coaching and training staff, and on-going support and problem solving to staff within the programs.
Joy also works as an instructor curriculum developer and at Norquest College in the faculty of health and community studies.
Joy also has a deep-seated passion for community; she has tirelessly worked for her community and beyond her community. Joy has as a member on various boards in her community, church and her kids school.
Joy believes that it takes a thriving individual to make a thriving family that makes a thriving community, it takes one to tango.
Community Leader of the Year – Oury Barry
As a president of Guineans in Edmonton, I have done lot of thing, for example:
1. offer an organized framework of consultation, reflection for the defense of the interests of the Guineans in edmonton
2. Establish good working relationships with others Alberta communiques and associations
3. Establish bonds of friendship and solidarity between Guinean and Albertan associations
4. Welcoming new Guineans who wish to settle in edmonton
5. Organize cultural and social activities to make known, appreciate, and celebrate the diverse cultures that make up the community of guineans
I started helping my community since 2010 until now.
Community Leader of the Year – Mini Leon Star Coaches
I would love to nominate the mini Leon star couches for their delectation and hard work put into our youth every Saturday of the year for about 3 years and also Wednesday or Thursday doing the summer. The mini team carry the Africa tournament cup two years in a row. I am nominating them for job well done.
Community Leader of the Year – Zainab Mohamoud
Zainab Mohamoud completes bachelor’s degree in 2019 @U of C . She has 3 years of experience in social work. Zainab has founded the Education for Somali Girls and Boys Fund in Somalia in 2014. The school was finally completed in 2015 and currently has 200 students enrolled. The reasoning for her founding of the school is due to the fact when she was living there (post 1990 war) she found it difficult to get an education and to be treated equally in Somalia. She made it her mission to make a difference and to do her best to ensure that children in the next generation would not encounter the same problem. As of right now, the school is currently teaching grades 1-8. Zainab has received several awards including Daughter of the Year Award in 2014, the Soroptimist Ruby Award in 2015 & the Recognition of Women of Excellence in 2016. Award Friends with Diversity Magazine in 2018. She has been featured for her social work expertise and achievements in Somalia in various local newspapers in Red Deer, Shaw TV, Red Deer College Alumni in 2016, Edmonton newspaper & interviewed on the radio station in Ohio Columbus. Canada which is where she resides currently. She’s been living in Canada since 1997. The next project she has in mind is to provide room/board for the students in her school. She is looking to reduce the travel time for them and provide them with housing and meals to facilitate the process. They key to her success has been strictly networking and making connections with others internationally. Her greatest accomplishment has been pursuing her degree and starting the school in Somalia.
Community Leader of the Year – Donnovan Simon
Donnovan Simon is the consummate contributor to the community. Since moving to Calgary from Jamaica in 2001, he has been involved in numerous community organizations. He is currently the President of the Jamaican Canadian Association Alberta (JCAA). He has been leading the Association since 2015. Donnovan was also President of the JCAA from 2008-2010. He has served on the board of the Caribbean Community Council (the organizers of the annual Carifest parade), the planning committee for Reggaefest as well as served on the Executive of the Calgary and District Cricket League.
As President of the JCAA, Donnovan has spearheaded numerous initiatives including, financial literacy programs for youth, integration support for new Jamaicans to Calgary as well as rejuvenation of the brand of the JCAA. He was instrumental in building the organization’s strategic plan (2016-2021) as well as creating key strategic partnerships to support their flagship event, Taste of Jamaica, which is an annual showcase of Jamaican culture. Additionally, he has forged partnerships with other community agencies such as The Centre for Newcomers and Action Dignity to further the presence of the Jamaican community and to contribute to the cultural diversity of the city. He has also served as a mentor in the Multicultural Mentorship Programme offered by the Centre for Newcomers.
He has also been the primary architect and driver of the collaboration forum for Caribbean Associations in Calgary. The Caribbean Presidents’ Forum, a collaboration of Associations (representing Haiti, Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Guyana, Caribbean Community Council and the Caribbean Heritage Sports Council) was formed out of Donnovan’s idea in 2017 and this collaboration has produced the Caribbean Black History Celebrations and the Caribbean Youth Summit for the last two years (2018 – 2019) He is the current Convenor of the Caribbean Presidents’ Forum.
In addition to his activities within the Caribbean Community, Donnovan has also served on the School Council for the Ecole St Pius school for three years (2014 – 2017).
Professionally, Donnovan is an Executive for a medical device manufacturing company here in Calgary. He is the author of two business books, The Way You Make Me Feel – 20 Lessons in Customer Service and Social Media Equals Social Customer: Managing Customer Experience in the Age of Social Media.
Community Leader of the Year – Kemoh Mansaray
Mr. Kemoh Mansaray, Former President of The Sierra Leone Association of Alberta, is a wellrespected and sought-after community leader. He has served in many elected positions on notfor-profit boards of directors. He has been President/Chair, Vice President, Secretary, Committee Chair and Board Member for organizations such as the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition, the Clareview Multicultural Centre, and the Sierra Leone Association of Alberta. He also served as a community representative on the Advisory Committee to the City of Edmonton’s Council Initiative on Public Engagement, bringing important insight into creating more inclusive public engagement practices for all Edmontonians.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition, Mr. Mansaray worked in fostering and strengthening partnerships with a wide variety of existing and new stakeholders (community members, social service organizations, and regional and provincial funders), improving programs, addressing personnel and financial issues, and developing organizational policies.
Kemoh was the founding board chair of the Clareview Multicultural Centre that is now a nonprofit organization serving many new immigrants and refugee communities in the Northeast of Edmonton.
During his term as president of the Sierra Leone Association of Alberta, the association’s membership expanded. He also helped built collaborations with mainstream and other community organizations. He led the Sierra Leone community to have its first Flag Raising Ceremony at the City Hall Plaza (Churchill Square Community Pole). Mr. Mansaray encouraged and promoted the culture of Sierra Leone by supporting community sub-groups in showcasing their cultures. ARIE Edmonton is one of the signature ‘look-forward to’ from the community. This has helped Sierra Leoneans reconnect to their roots.
