African Caribbean Council of Halton to Launch at Burlington Performing Arts Centre

November 5, 2020 | Vision Newspaper |

ACCH makes its official launch November 21 in Burlington 

The African Caribbean Council of Halton (ACCH) will hold its official launch Saturday, November 21 at a public event at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC).

The council started its work in January 2020 and, based on their mandate, the council has been working on advocacy and empowerment to make Halton Region a better place for our community, which in turn will impact the entire region and all its residents.

The ACCH currently counts 100 people strong in membership, representing people from the African and Caribbean communities in the following constituencies: Milton, Wellington-Halton Hills, Burlington, Oakville North-Burlington, and Oakville.

The ACCH’s Vision is to advocate, build, empower and strengthen our African Caribbean Community. Their Mission is to elevate, build and advocate for an inclusive and equitable African Caribbean community in Halton by advancing our socio-economic, political, educational, and professional empowerment.

ACCH will advocate to elected officials, organizations and businesses on programs and policies that affect our community for meaningful and tangible change. The ACCH Board consists of founder Lady ABHA, Abbey Salami, Eva Chima and Christen Jones.

About the ACCH Launch Event 

The BPAC’s Community Studio Theatre will be the site for launch day at 2 p.m. November 21, featuring performances by Babarinde, Luckystickz, Jean Assamoa, Akwaba Cultural Exchange and Lua Shayenne Dance Company.

Fifty people will be able to attend the launch event in person by reserving tickets through the BPAC box office. If you can’t book a seat, you can still be part of the day by watching the live stream of the event on the ACCH website. That link will be shared by ACCH closer to event day.

Health and Safety Precautions 

BPAC is perfectly positioned to welcome back audiences with patron safety at the forefront, with its spacious Lobby, increased ventilation, physical-distancing ticketing system and additional health and safety measures to put theatregoers’ minds at ease.

Patrons will be sent a self-assessment questionnaire and will be required to complete it and present it the day of the event.

All patrons must wear a mask, hand sanitize upon entry and maintain physical distancing outside of their social circle. Patrons are expected to self-screen, and of course to stay at home if experiencing COVID-related symptoms or if suspecting recent exposure to the virus. Health and safety measures are also being implemented backstage to protect artists, and throughout the venue to protect staff and volunteers.

Biographies 

Lady ABHA (Adejisola Atiba) is the founder of the African Caribbean Council of Halton, and a people manager with RBC Royal Bank of Canada, as well as a coach, mentor and community leader. She believes in paying it forward and is very involved in her community. She was a Steering Committee member of the Federation of Black Canadians and co-founder of the Black Empowerment Council of Canada. She is a volunteer with JA Central Ontario, United Way Canada, a mentor with Access Employment and TRIEC, an ambassador with Algoma University, Founder of Council of Nigerian Professionals. A lifelong learner, she recently completed her EMBA in Digital Transformation with DeGroote Business School, McMaster University. She holds an Accounting Diploma from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos Nigeria; BSC in Banking and Finance from Olabisi Onabanjo University Nigeria; Bachelors in Business Administration with minor in Human Resource Management Honours with Algoma University; and has the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Designation with many professional certifications.

Babarinde is an award-winning motivational speaker, singer, percussionist, recording artist, trumpet player, ethnomusicologist, Music Director, writer and Griot (African historian and storyteller). He facilitates African drumming and music events in his native province of Ontario and internationally. Years of after-school drumming programs in the Dufferin-Eglington areas and numerous assemblies and workshop events in schools, churches, libraries and other institutions contribute to Babarinde’s vast experience as a facilitator. Babarinde originated and led the Greater Toronto Drum Circle in the York region. His most unforgettable experience was playing for Nelson Mandela in 1990 when he paid a visit to the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Luckystickz (Dejehan Hamilton) is a singer-songwriter/recording artist and one of the premier Steelpan percussionists in Canada. He has performed and worked for music legends Harry Belafonte, Brian McKnight and Chili (of TLC). Luckstickz’s music has given him the opportunity to tour internationally in many countries throughout the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and North America. Luckystickz released his debut E.P. Every Day Battle in 2017 which features his hit single ‘Magic’.

Jean Assamoa is the founder of Akwaba Cultural Exchange since February 2009 in Milton, Ontario. He is a professional dancer, comedian, musician, actor, fashion promoter, model trainer, instructor, public speaker and choreographer. In addition to founding Akwaba Cultural Exchange, he was co-founder and Artistic Director of Mask Dance Company Inc. in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) then established in New York City (USA) from 1995 to 2001. He was also the Founder and Artistic Director of Nzassa Company, Inc. in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and later established in New York City (USA) since 2002.

Akwaba Cultural Exchange, a non-profit cultural organization established on February 2009 is built upon a core curriculum in performing arts, but it also has an educational program through workshop, storytelling, lecture, African fashion, class-demonstration within African dance, music and mask history. The repertory is made up of dance, music, poetry and theatre performance derived from the social, spiritual, historical and political life of African society. This repertory is based on an extraordinary lively people culture. Akwaba performances are classical African folk arts with rustic charm of African traditional cultures.

Lua Shayenne Dance Company (LSDC) were described by the Toronto Star as a “group of gifted, fearlessly energetic young dancers”, The LSDC presents contemporary dance and live music works rooted in the aesthetics and values of West African dance, rhythms and culture. Their original creations explore current subject matters with the aim to be a source of social good and spiritual progress. ​LSDC fosters the appreciation of the sophisticated artistry and technique of the neo-traditional African dance and music forms by producing exciting showcase presentations, offering professional training intensives; collaborating with and commissioning international artists. LSDC is also deeply committed to building healthy communities through enriching educational programs and workshops with local and international artists.