• Luc Thermonvil MGP, ITSM, ITIL, BA

Chief Executive Officer (OBBA / BIA Chamber of Commerce,ABEPOG)

Drawing from 25 years’ worth of business management and development experience, my ultimate goal is to improve our local commercial activity through investing in and developing Black entrepreneurship. I believe that a pragmatic, logical approach and providing affordable access to professional and educational resources will see a dramatic and important rise in ACD wealth and prosperity.

• Patrick Chéry, Treasurer 

• Nathalie Chéry, Project Manager

Nathalie Chéry graduated from university with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and specialization in management of information systems. She is an entrepreneur, art enthusiast, and an aspiring environmental advocate. Before starting at Griot in Me, she founded Yva Collection to raise consumer awareness of plastic pollution and break the stereotypes of lack of interest in environmental issues among black communities.

• Guyleigh Johnson, Co-manager, Writer

Guyleigh Johnson is a Published Author, Poet and Community Advocate from North-End Dartmouth. She began writing at a time of grief, and now uses it as a tool of healing. Through workshops she teaches youth about the power of words, mindfulness, and mental health. In October 2016 she released her first collection of poetry titled “Expect the Unexpected” which focuses on inner city youth and the challenges they face and overcome. Newly released her second collection titled “Afraid Of The Dark” follows a young black girl struggling with her identity and trying to navigate her way through a society she doesn’t believe accepts her. Family pain, community chaos, loss, and growth take young Kahlua Thomas on a journey to finding self. Johnson wishes to encourage youth to see their true potential, step out of their comfort zone, and speak up for injustice! She is currently working for a youth centre, writing a children’s book, as well as volunteering and participating in various community projects and committees. Whether you follow her YouTube, Facebook or personal Blog page she is starting the conversation for change. Her purpose is simple, no matter how far she goes in life, she wants youth to be heard, feel seen and she does this by reaching back into her community to educate, take action and support.

• Alain Alavo, Videographer, Social Media Team

Alain Jorel Alavo is a lover of art with a passion for fashion, music, film and fitness; he is a strong advocate of seeing art in every discipline and every aspect of life. Growing up as an only child and was raised by a single mother, he was able to explore and dive in his interest in art in its eclectic forms. In his waking hours he spends time thinking and working on his contribution to this already vast and propagating field. He is currently working on the Griot in Me archiving project. You can reach him at alainjalavo@gmail.com .

• Dr. Clyde Ledbetter

Dr. Clyde Ledbetter Jr. has been teaching and publishing on subjects in
African World Studies for over a decade. He is an alumnus of Lincoln University and
received his Ph.D. in African American Studies from Temple University in 2013 and has
recently earned a second Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford. During his time as a doctoral student, he worked at the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection as an assistant archivist helping to catalogue and
preserve African world history. He has taught in a private K-12 African-centered school
in Philadelphia as well as at several colleges and universities in the U.S. including
Lincoln University and Cheyney University. Dr. Ledbetter also teaches community
history courses for African community organization Jaku Konbit here in Ottawa.

• Marc Elie Ostainville