Meet the team
Frankline Agbor
Producer
Frankline Agbor is an engineer by trade and an “opportunistic creator” by design. He is passionate about sustainability such that, he started a company called Green Crusader Inc. in 2010 to foster sustainability in Alberta, Green Crusader Inc. focuses on environment and business.
In 2010, he founded Afro-Canadian Heroes Award, a year after he touched down at the Edmonton International Airport from Birmingham, UK. Afro-Canadian Heroes Award inspired the creation of Afro-Canadian Magazine which has since evolved into Diversity Magazine. Diversity Magazine shares diverse community stories in Alberta in print and online. While he maintains Afro-Canadian Award to celebrate and appreciate successes and achievements of people of African descent, in 2016, he started Diversity Award to celebrate Alberta’s diversity.
He brings diverse voices, and contents to his platform, Diversity Magazine, one of the fastest growing in Alberta. It is utilized by numerous organizations to reach out to his over 40,000 readers on all platforms.
Frankline is originally from Cameroon and was recognized by Avenue 2016 Business Recognition Award, ERIEC’s 2016 Partnership Award, NBCC Award and many others. His trademark Diversity Magazine has been profiled in Edmonton Examiner, Global TV, CTV, City TV, CBC Edmonton, and World FM. Frankline’s work has also been profiled in Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, and he was profiled in; 50 Years of Impact: A Biographical Dictionary of Canadians of Cameroon Origin, produced by the Cameroon High Commission in Ottawa.
Sarah Negussie
Event Manager
My name is Sarah Negussie. I come from a big family with three brothers and a sister, and my parents are some of the most hardworking people I have ever met. I think I get most of my traits from my dad; he loves exploring, animals, and is not afraid of trying new things. The caring side of me comes from my mom, a selfless lady who has taken in all my friends and their kids no matter their race, age, or situation. They are my backbone.
I was born in Ethiopia, moved to Norway, and settled in Edmonton in 2004. I went to Cardinal junior high, O’Leary for high school, and N.A.I.T for college. I am an electrician by trade, and I also have my project management and safety equipment tech. I love animals, traveling, and trying new foods. On March 1, 2017, I got in a car accident and I was home on sick leave. During this time my friend invited me to a Hair show, since she saw I was getting bored sitting at home. At the hair show a lady came up and talked about Afro Fest, it immediately sparked an interest so I made a phone call and joined. I love organizing and planning so Afro Fest was right up my alley. Being part of Afro Fest boosted my spirits and taught me a lot of things about myself I didn’t know I was capable of, such as working with groups, reaching out to people, and talking to people or groups.
Leila Butoyi
Relationship Manager
Leila Butoyi loves to call her self a citizen of the world as she’d Burundian from her dad and Rwandese from her mom, but she was raised in Europe and grow adult in Canada. Growing up away from her motherland made her a passionate woman about her own culture, history, and heritage.
She moved to Canada in 2006 and pursued her university studies and graduated in Public administration and public policy in Montréal, worked in Québec city before she decides to seek new adventure and move in Edmonton in 2015.
Today she ‘s a Reginal Affairs Manager at ACFA a non-profit organization that defends the rights of French speaker and promote services in French in Alberta. She’s also an artist passionate about dance, especially Burundian and Rwandan dance that she’s been dancing for more than 10 years for pleasure and as a professional but always curious about anything new, she took salsa dance and now is a certified Zumba instructor.
When she moved to Edmonton, she was surprised to see that there were so many of her African brothers and sisters living in Edmonton with nothing that gather them together. As a social person she wanted to do something and that’s where she met Franklin who offered her to join them for the first edition as she was already working on a similar project especially since she’s a French speaker and Africa has several francophone countries. Her presence in the team ensures that this event is bilingual as its host country but also bring in her expertise in project management community engagement. That’s how she joined the lovely family of Africanival!
Kemoh Mansaray
Spokesperson
Mr Mansaray was born in Sierra Leone and came to Canada in 2002. He studied Nursing and Human Service Administration at MacEwan University with a diploma and bachelor’s degree respectively. Kemoh presently work as the Lloydminster Local Immigration Partnership Coordinator (LLIP)in the City of Lloydminster. Mr Mansaray has however dedicated his last 5-9 years helping his community and other African communities in Edmonton. Kemoh is the local representative of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada, as well as a well respected and sought after community leader having served in many elected positions on not-for-profit boards such as the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition, the Clareview Multicultural Centre as the Founding Board Chair, and the Sierra Leone Association of Alberta as President. He has also serve 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. Kemoh has won few awards for his community leadership and work.
Harriet Tinka
Spokesperson
Harriet Tinka is one of the talented, driven, and multiple professions known in the community development. She is known as a “Powerhouse Role Model” who encourages self-acceptance and visualization. Harriet represents herself as a Chartered Professional Accountant, life coach, co-author “When Women Talk” and Public speaker by her profession. Besides, she also exemplifies herself as an ultramarathon runner, Canadian Football officiator, and philanthropist. She has broken through barriers and found ultimate success and fulfillment in inspiring teens and women reach their full potential. She is the founder and CEO of the consulting company Empowered Me, an organization that offers innovative, empowering, and life changing professional workshops. Harriet has received numerous awards including YWCA Woman of Distinction, Global Woman of Vision, Afro- Canadian Community Woman of the Year, Rotary Integrity Award and Daughter’s Day Award. She also volunteers for over eight organizations. With such height and extreme knowledge, Harriet’s memoir can be very helpful to thousands of people who want to achieve something in their lives, further, Harriet’s words have motivated a number of people to live up their dreams. She runs the toughest races and puts herself through some of the hardest training for no other reason than to see what she’s made of. She does not keep track of the miles she has run. Her goal is to always achieve her personal best and push herself well past her comfort zone. She describes her life as coming from tragic to magic.
Michael Pabai
Artists Coordinator
Michael Pabai is an Edmonton-based business owner, hip-hop dancer/choreographer and Arts lover. Originally from Sierra Leone, Michael started developing a passion for arts and Entertainment from a very young age. His artistic talents, specifically in dance, as well as his west-African heritage, have formed him professionally as a both a choreographer and entrepreneur.
He is driven and dedicated to creating a scene for the urban and Afro-arts in our city and is very proud to be the very first Afrofest Edmonton Entertainment Coordinator.
His growing company, Diversimind is working on transforming the way we look at extra-curricular activities for children and Youth. on his spare time Michael spends it building and bringing both of these communities and finding unity within all the incredible and talented people in Edmonton. You can connect with Michael, as well as diversimind , across all social media.
Lynnel Taylor
Volunteer Coordinator
Lynnel Taylor born in Trinidad moved to Ontario finally settled in Alberta: trained Social service worker, 8 years of experience working with at-risk youth, 10 years telecommunication experience, currently an insurance broker for TD bank.
Hobbie: Reading, baking, and Motivation: To be a strong, positive role model for my daughter. Empowering individuals.
My role at Afro Fest is the volunteer coordinator. Afrofest has given me a new way of thinking it has thought me a lot about myself. I have learned to push myself to the best of my abilities, Afro Fest has uplifted my spirit and brought out the humanitarian in me.
Claire Okeke
Communication Coordinator
Bio Coming soon…
Ray Taylor
Security Coordinator
Over the years during and after school days, I have worked for different institutions, companies and non-profit organizations within Canada; some were paid services and others were volunteered services. In my community (Sierra Leone community in Alberta), I am the Founder and Chairperson of a non-profit organization called SLPP Edmonton Chapter and Association. This organization engages young people with day-to-day involvement in decision making, reasonable thinking, positive political discussions and being responsible in society. Our organization also assisted unemployed young persons in finding jobs and joining construction trades unions in Alberta, promoting social events, organizing leadership forums and discussions within the community.
Recently in 2017, I volunteered as a Security Coordinator for the first ever AFRO FEST organized by all African Countries within the Alberta province of Canada, and presently I am working towards obtaining an Alberta Provincial Private Investigators License to enable me to establish my own company/business in Alberta, Canada.