Photo from http://africacentre.ca/
Four Women Have Stepped Forward. The Executive Director Placed on Administrative Leave.
Executive Director of the Africa Centre has been placed on administrative leave after an employee resigned citing professional misconduct, including sexual harassment, in a letter addressed to the Africa Centre Board.
An unidentified article was send on Facebook on January 5, 2018, tagging all media in Edmonton on sexual harassment at Africa Centre. So Diversity Magazine reached out to the Africa Centre Board to dig more.
On Thursday, January 11, 2018, at 5:44, a statement from the Africa Centre Board to Diversity Magazine reads, “…On January 9, 2018, the Board held a meeting and resolved to retain the services of Mr. Arman Chak, an Edmonton lawyer, to investigate the…allegations and report to the Board within one month. This information was communicated to (the parties involved)…”
The statement continues, “…In light of the written complaints submitted to the Board by (the Accountant) and due to information reaching the Board to the effect that there may be individuals who, being fearful of possible repercussions for their ongoing employment with the Africa Centre, may be unwilling to assist with an independent third party investigation of (Accountant’s) complaints, the Board resolved to place the Executive Director,…, on an administrative leave beginning on January 12, 2018, for one month. Should the investigation not be completed during this time, the Board reserves the right to extend the leave as necessary. Upon completion of the investigation, the Board will make a decision on the matter and communicate it to the public…”
Diversity Magazine reached out to the Executive Director for comment. Speaking on a phone from his office, he sounded calm, he spoke with occasional burst of laughter, the Executive Director maintained his innocence. He said he accepts the leadership of the Board and will wait for the findings of the independent investigator and the decision of the Board. “…The truth will come out at the end…,” he concluded a brief phone chat with Diversity Magazine before handing Africa Centres’ keys and cell phone in his possession to the Board Chair, John T. Gaye.
We had a phone chat with the Accountant that resigned but could only refer us to her lawyer. So too are the other three women who made a complaint. They all have placed their trust in the leadership of the Board.
The complaint of the other three women was made through a letter which Diversity Magazine got hold of from a group calling themselves “Concerned Members of the African Community”. This group met a couple of times with the other three suspects to discuss the way forward. Last Sunday, January 7, 2018, they decided to craft a letter to the Board, supported by the signatures of 12 community leaders demanding; 1. The alleged perpetrator should be asked to step aside immediately; 2. An independent investigation be constituted immediately, and no board members should be selected to be part of or chair the independent investigation team; 3. The likely report from the independent investigation should be presented to the African Community Leaders and 4. Immediately constitute an urgent meeting with other community leaders to share a clear plan and roadmap indicating how the board is planning to move the Africa Centre forward.
The group added, “…If we do not hear from you by Thursday, January 11, 2018, we shall have no option but to proceed with contacting relevant authorities and leave no stone unturned to get justice for our aggrieved sisters…” However, the Board has sent a general response to the group who seems satisfied.
Africa Centre Board voted this week to place the Executive Director on administrative leave, appoint Mr. Arman Chak to investigate the matter, and provide findings to the Board in a month. The Board will in turn make the final decision.
This has come at a time described by community members as the best in the 12 years history of the Africa Centre with new grants from City of Edmonton, Government of Alberta, and Government of Canada. The City is currently going through a competitive process for the design of a new building for the Africa Centre in its previous location.
According to the Board Chair of the Africa Centre, John .T. Gaye, who has been in touch with Diversity Magazine, the Acting Executive Director is already in place and the person is Diane Conway.
The Executive Director took the organization as a one man crusade on a $75,000 budget in 2008, and has led it into a formidable organization it is today with a budget of over $2 Million and a staff team of 30.
The Council for the Advancement of African Canadians in Alberta (CAAC) is the legal name of the organization that operates as Africa Centre. It was founded on 23rd October 2006 in Edmonton. It supports African immigrant and refugee families as well as cultural communities and organizations to address barriers and challenges that come up in their process of integration into Canadian society.
