About Us
African Arts Institute (AAI) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Belleville, Ontario, steered by a team of directors and volunteers who are committed to the promotion of African arts and culture. AAI provides a platform where Africa’s arts, culture, and traditions are showcased and celebrated. Furthermore, AAI is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and empowerment, welcoming individuals from all of cultural backgrounds.Â
African Arts Institute, in Belleville, is located on the territory of the Wendat, the Anishinaabe, and the Haudenosaunee people. Belleville shares the shorelines of the Bay of Quinte with Kenhtè:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory). We recognize all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who call Belleville their home, and support the need for cultivating a strong relationship together.Â
Vision
African Arts Institute inspires, educates, and entertains the public about African arts and culture. We create greater public understanding of the richness and diversity of Africa. We support unity among all peoples.
Mission
We achieve our vision through presenting educational opportunities both live and virtual; by presenting artists in concerts, festivals, artist talks, and arts education; conducting and presenting academic and artistic research; and through recreational activities.
Board of Directors
Angela Boyer, Director
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Mshimkenh Ense Kwe – Angela Boyer is of mixed ancestry, Ojibway from the Mississauga First Nation #8 & Cuenca Ecuador South America. Member of the Wolf Clan. Angela is an advocate of Indigenous arts & culture. Angela has been a volunteer since she was 12 years old for the Indigenous community in Toronto. In her younger years she has managed the Native Canadian Centres Calendar Project with schools across Ontario. Angela currently works as the Jordan’s Principle Lead for Toronto Council Fire Cultural Centre. In her free time is a dedicated Community Builder & Intuitive Public Speaker. Angela is also a poet whose poetry honours the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous women GT2S across Turtle Island. Angela was instrumental in founding the Heartbeats in Performing Arts Co-op and Internship Program for Black and Indigenous Youth with Performing Arts, City of Brampton. Angela considers herself an artist of life and believes anything you touch with love and passion can be turned into something magical.
Bernadette Mary Poku, Director
Bernadette Mary Poku, or Nana Yaa Yeboaa, is a self-published author of books of poetry, short stories and children’s literature. As a storyteller, she engages people from diverse backgrounds to seek and understand each other. The knowledge she believes resides with us all and needs to share. Stories are what makes us human and with that, Nana tells and shares stories to form a community. She is also a festival organizer, her most recent one was with Ghana fest (www.ghanafest.ca). Some of her works can be found on Amazon and in bookstores in Canada. She lives in the small town of Brantford, ON with her two adorable children.
Christiana Nuamah, Director
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Mrs. Christiana Nuamah’s remarkable journey from Ghana to Canada in the 1980s embodies her outstanding career as a Canadian banker. Her devotion in preserving Ga-Adangbe culture, or Ghanaian culture as a whole, and her unwavering commitment to community service, has made her a leader in the community. She is a catalyst for change, a cultural ambassador, and an inspiring force for the youth and future generations.
In the world of Canadian banking, Christiana rose to a prominent management position through dedication and a commitment to excellence. While excelling in her banking career, Christiana passionately advocated for the preservation and promotion of Ga-Adangbe culture, fostering unity among diverse communities. Christiana is a member of the City of Brampton Heritage Board. She leads community outreach programs, providing opportunities for growth and mentorship, particularly for the youth and future generations. Christiana served as President of the Ga-Adangbe Association of Toronto, Canada, and a Chairperson of the Council of Representatives of GDI (Ga-Dangbe International) in North America.
Tara Burt, Director
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Tara has been working as an Arts educator for the last 27 years in a variety of Ontario communities including the Toronto DSB, Simcoe County DSB, Peel DSB, and now as the Director of Arts at The Bishop Strachan School. She has a lifelong passion for the Arts and believes that all students should be afforded rich opportunities to learn about diverse ways of knowing and expressing ideas in the Arts from all around the world. Tara is excited to serve as a Board Director for the African Arts Institute, and to support the growth of authentic African-derived Arts presentations, community workshops and concerts.
Isaac Akrong, President
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Isaac holds a master’s degree in dance and a PhD in ethnomusicology from York University. He has taught African music and dance at York University, Wesleyan University, Swarthmore College, and many other schools and institutions. As a choreographer, master drummer, and artistic director, Isaac creates new works as well as maintains traditional music and dance through the African Dance Ensemble. Isaac founded Humanity in Harmony festival, bringing together multi-disciplinary artists, academics, and community in a celebration of common humanity through the arts. Isaac has a strong commitment to sharing his knowledge of traditional dance and drumming with the world. As a researcher, he is determined to see Ghanaian music and dance documented for future generations.
Learn more about Isaac’s work at www.isaacniiakrong.com.Â
Staff
Isaac Akrong
President & Executive Artistic Director
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As the Founder of African Arts Institute, Isaac holds a seat at the Director table as well as managing the operations of the organization. See bio above. Â
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Christina Akrong
Programs Lead & Administrative Coordinator
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Christina Akrong (she/her) is an arts administrator, programmer, and educator born and raised in the Barrie area. She is thrilled to have called Belleville home since 2021, and to be raising a family here. Christina’s passions have always lay in the areas of education, arts, and youth. Over the years this has materialized in work for organizations such as City of Brampton, Cultural Services (Education & Outreach Coordinator); Ontario Arts Council (Arts Education Associate Officer and Northern Arts Program Officer); Canada Council for the Arts (Program Officer); and York University (Office of University Events & Community Relations;Â York Youth Connection). Christina studied in the Theatre department at York University, and holds a Bachelor and a Masters in Education.
Hind El Ouardi
Audience Experience Coordinator
Hind El Ouardi is a newcomer to Canada. She was born and raised in Morocco and worked in different capacities for Hiba Foundation, Maroc Cultures, Gnawa, and CasaMusic, among other arts organizations and festivals in Morocco. She was also involved in several projects,
including the Moroccan Music Export Office and the music conference Visa For Music. Since moving to Canada, Hind held different positions at the Ontario Arts Council and the Department of Canadian Heritage. She has launched a radio show called Sefarya with two friends on MetRadio, the Toronto Metropolitan University radio. Hind has a Master’s in Communication Politics from the University of Versailles St-Quentin en Yvelines in France, and an MSc in Creative Industries from the University of London.
Volunteers
- Ann Shewan
- Blake Roebuck
- Linda Minty
- Meg Oppong
- Nailah Brown
- Phillipa Yeboaa
- Precious Oppong
- Priscilla Amoateng
- Spendylove Opoku