2022 Harambeecouver Diversity Dialogue

Theme: Building resilience, courage and strength amongst youth in the post-covid world.

6:00pm Pacific: Dialogue and Dinner:  We Kick off the Harambeecouver Diversity Festival with an evening of dialogue and African refreshments. A panel session will discuss this year’s theme: Building resilience, courage and strength amongst youth in the post-covid world.

 

Panelists:

Melissa Mumbi,  Youth Program Coordinator. DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society 

Melissa Mumbi graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BA (Psychology major and Gender,Race,Sexuality and Social Justice minor). She has a keen interest in affairs pertaining to social justice, mental health ,equity and inclusion particularly those centred on Black people living in the diaspora  having mainly been influenced by her experience as an immigrant from Kenya. She currently works as a youth program coordinator where she mentors newcomer and refugee youth as they navigate their transitions and coordinates workshops on the same.

Yusuf Fabs Cala: Founder, FC Entertainment and Records, Film Producer and Director. 

Yusuf Fabs Cala is an actor and writer, known for Notable Events Weather Sports (2021) and Hitler’s Last Stand (2018). He moved to Canada more than 4 years to reunite with his family and since then has been heavily involved in the film and entertainment industry across the country. Known for his drive, passion and attention to detail, Yusuf’s “can-do” attitude got him through the toughest times during the pandemic, allowing him to focus on his strengths and to move forward despite many business set-backs.

Njamba Koffi, Author, Poet and Student

Njamba Koffi is a poet, musician, public speaker and author of “Refuge-e: The Journey Much Desired”. His creative work and advocacy centres on the refugee experience, youth empowerment and equity, diversity and inclusion values. He volunteered on the advisory committees of Vancouver Foundation’s Level Youth Initiative and Amala Education – among many of his engagements, and has always been involved in student leadership. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he has lived and travelled in multiple countries as a refugee, a United World Colleges Scholar , Student and instructor at Yale Young Global Scholars and a student at University of British Columbia. Canada is his current host country and he currently works as a Grants and Community Initiatives Manager at Vancouver Foundation.

Palesa Koitsioe, Head Coach & Founder of Imbali Bloom Consulting

Palesa Koitsioe (they/them) was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and migrated to the unceded and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ territories, also known as Vancouver. They are Black, queer, non-binary and Tswana speaking multidisciplinary creative. They are a joy-driven learner, coach and mentor. They have a business called Imbali Bloom Consulting, a hybrid of coaching practice and a consulting one; which allows us to weave mindful care on an individual and a company level. Offering coaching Palesa has a psychology and neuroscience background and has recently been certified as trauma-informed mindfulness and meditation teacher. Currently having started their second podcast Sound on Siren, they aim to use it as an archive as they theoretically trace jazz music and Pan-Africanism back to their African roots/ routes. As we learn our history, Palesa believes that we better understand who we are, and how we can create a world and body we love and thrive within.

 

Moderated by Sosa Eweka , Host-‘Talks with Sosa’.

 

The goal of the Diversity Dialogues is to:

  1. Reduce ethno-racial prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination about BIPOC individuals;
  2. Promote the cultural, artistic and leadership contributions made by BIPOC.
  3. Engage professionals in artistic, curatorial, administrative, and project leadership.
  4. Collaborate with different members of our community, including tertiary institutions, high schools, social services and the general public.
  5. To provide a space and platform for minority groups, including BIPOC individuals to feel accepted and where they can speak their truth respectfully, without fear of intimidation or bias.

 

Location: UBC Robson Square

Tickets: $12 CAD* including an African meal and soft drink. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harambeecouver-diversity-dialogues-september-2-2022-tickets-404945170907

* 20 spots available to UBC graduate students at a 25% discount. Please contact info@harambeecouver.ca.