Alberta Black Advisory Council

As executive director at Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council, Dr. Johnston-Taylor is passionate about empowering marginalized and disadvantaged communities, and helping to support newcomer professionals getting employment in their field.

She is a non-profit and community leader with extensive experience in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and anti-racism related work, including over 7 years of board experience including Black North Initiative, Alberta Chapter. Dr. Johnston-Taylor has a doctorate in economics, politics and community development from Leeds University, England.

Yusuf owns and operates Lantern Glocal Co. and is founder of the Connection Intercultural Association in Medicine Hat. A management and human resource professional for nearly 20 years, he also holds numerous degrees and certificates, and is chair of the Medicine Hat Local Immigration Partnership Executive Council and a member of the Medicine Hat College Board of Governors.

A cultural and special education consultant in Edmonton, Deborah is founder and director of the Shiloh Centre for Multicultural Roots organization, which is dedicated to heritage recognition of African-American Western Canadians.  

A retired teacher and administrator with Edmonton Public Schools, Deborah holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Religious Fine Arts from Friends International Christian University.

An entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in marketing, Robert “Bobby” specializes in brand development, partnerships and social engagement. He founded Version Me Media, which focuses on business development through content creation and influencer marketing.

Samuel is executive director of the Africa Centre and serves on the Federation of African Canadian Economics board. A transformational leader with a passion for community development, he was also a strategic planner and the lead for immigration, settlement and anti-racism with the City of Edmonton. Samuel holds a Master of Arts in international development and a Bachelor of Arts in global studies and served on the board of the Tatamagouche Centre.

A professor of mathematics and computing at Mount Royal University, Michael holds degrees in mathematics and business administration, and a doctorate in computer science.

A prolific researcher and community volunteer, he has received numerous awards in Canada and Africa, and is a recipient of the Alberta Newcomers Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Government of Alberta.

Farah is the Executive Director of the Somali Canadian Society of Calgary and the former Executive Director and co-founder of the Calgary African Community Collective. He serves on the Africa Advisory Board with the Calgary Police Service and has a professional background in IT and computer networks. 

In recognition of his outstanding community service, Farah was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal. Farah holds an associate degree in information technology, as well as credentials in public administration. 

Brittany is a stormwater team lead at Stantec’s Community Business Development Centre. A dedicated community-builder and engineer, she holds a Master of Science in water resources engineering management, from Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow, as well as a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Calgary Schulich School of Engineering.

Dr. Osakuade is a family and emergency physician in Didsbury and clinical lecturer at the University of Calgary.

Educated and trained in Nigeria and practicing in Canada for nearly a decade, he provides mentoring and support for international medical doctors interested in working in rural Alberta. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for contributions to the healthcare and disability sector.

Vice President Operations for Above and Beyond Adult Care Inc., an organization that permanently homes and cares for persons with disabilities.

Brian has been volunteering and working with clients since 2007, supporting people with high complex needs and medical issues such as stage 4 cancer and multiple sclerosis. His strong leadership skills and entrepreneurial skills helped him develop state of the art infrastructure supporting those with physical disabilities.

Dr. Okeke-Ihejirika is a professor of women’s and gender studies at the University of Alberta.

She holds multiple degrees in education and economics from Dalhousie University and the University of Ibadan and has contributed significantly to research on the plight of African immigrants, including with the University of Alberta’s Pan African Collaboration for Excellence (PACE) and the Partnership for Research with African Newcomers through the Social Science and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Dr. Okeke-Ihejirika is the co-chair of the Premier’s Council on Multiculturalism.

Jenny is a Congolese-Canadian community leader, ordained pastor, and founder of Bright Lights For Africa Foundation, a non-profit serving communities in Canada and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She has extensive leadership and governance experience in community development and advocacy. 

A passionate advocate for social justice, Jenny has spent over 2 decades advancing equity and inclusion for Black and immigrant communities. As a first-generation immigrant, she is dedicated to creating solutions that foster empowerment and inclusivity. 

Jenny holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from École Technique Supérieure, as well as a business administration diploma from André Laurendeau College.

Kazir is the CEO of NEXTVIA INC and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in Alberta, advancing innovation, market growth, and cross-border partnerships while strengthening cultural and economic ties. 

Kazir is certified in Innovation and Strategy from Harvard Division of Continuing Education and holding multiple business and technology credentials.

Kazir has served on boards such as the Edmonton Local Immigration Partnership and earned honours including the John Ware Award (2024) and Alberta Newcomer Champion Award (2022).

Abbas is a Community Development practitioner with over 15 years experience working with community groups, government agencies, and non-profits to support community development initiatives. He has served as a researcher, project lead and program coordinator in the areas of violence prevention, asset-based community development, gender justice and men’s mental health. 

Abbas holds a Bachelor of Arts in development studies from the University of Calgary, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guyana and is a 2010 Fogarty’s Fellow from the University of Miami. 

Dr. Akeir Mel Kuol is a Community Mobilizer in the Diversity Unit within Calgary Police Service, with a background in family and youth counseling. She serves on Justice for All Youth Committee and the Regional Ethnocultural Advisory Committee with the Correctional Service of Canada. 

Dr. Mel Kuol holds a Bachelor of Arts in theology (major in Psychology) from Victory Bible College and a Doctorate in Philosophy and Christian Counselling from North Central Theological Seminary.

Musap (Moose) is Founder and CEO of SIYS – Struggle is Your Success and QA Enterprises, supporting youth in entrepreneurship and building AI solutions to boost productivity, reduce burnout, and foster innovation. He serves on multiple boards, including the Calgary Police Board African Committee. 

Certified in Trauma-Informed Care, AI, and Leadership, with Harvard credentials in Design Thinking & Innovation and Disruptive Strategy, Moose is an award-winning community leader empowering diverse communities.