About Us
BUILDING COMMUNITY
ACROSS BC
Afro Van Connect is the leading platform connecting and celebrating the African community across British Columbia since 2019.
5,000+
Community Members
200+
Events Hosted
100+
Artists Supported
10+
Cities Across BC
OUR
STORY
Afro Van Connect is more than a platform—it's a movement. Since 2019, we've been a cultural heartbeat for Vancouver's African diaspora, creating spaces where culture thrives, connections deepen, and collective excellence is amplified.
From intimate gatherings to province-wide activations, we bring together the diverse and dynamic expressions of African cultures across British Columbia. Our work is rooted in community, storytelling, and shared experience—centering voices, creativity, and leadership from across the diaspora.
Our mission is simple: to connect, celebrate, and elevate our community.
Our Team
Meet The People Behind
Afro Van Connect
Our dedicated board and team members bring diverse expertise and a shared passion for building a stronger African community in British Columbia.
Kor Kase (Buni Kor)
Founder
Kor is a multidisciplinary artist, cultural producer, and community-based practitioner working at the intersection of arts, social practice, and Black spatial theory. Their work explores how space, memory, and storytelling shape belonging — and how creative practice can be used as a tool for collective healing and social transformation. In 2019, Kor co-founded Afro Van Connect Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and stewarding Black spaces that foster connection, cultural expression, and intergenerational exchange for people of African descent. Through research-informed programming and place-based cultural initiatives, Afro Van Connect produces multidisciplinary arts programming, public dialogues, walking tours, and community gatherings that engage questions of displacement, cultural memory, and spatial justice — particularly within the evolving urban landscape of Vancouver. Kor is also co-founder of Black Space Media Inc., a creative production platform that amplifies diasporic narratives through media, live events, and cultural curation. Across their practice, Kor centers relational leadership, participatory frameworks, and culturally responsive methodologies that position lived experience as a legitimate and vital form of knowledge production. Through cultural infrastructure building, cross-sector partnerships, and community-embedded design, Kor contributes to broader conversations on equity in arts ecosystems and the role of creative practice in shaping more inclusive cities.
Jemima Balabyekkubo
Director of Community Outreach
Jemima works in dedicated service to racialized and marginalized communities across the Lower Mainland. With a multidisciplinary background in health sciences, immigration law, and early childhood education, she brings both expertise and compassion to her advocacy and community engagement work. As a person of African descent, Jemima is deeply committed to community development across the diaspora. She supports initiatives that foster resilience, growth, and collective unity, centering culturally responsive and community-led approaches.
Justin Hicks
Board Advisory
Justin Hicks is the Founder of Intession Music Tech Recording Academy, and a seasoned professional mixing and recording engineer with 18 years of industry experience. Through Intession Music Tech Recording Academy, Justin combines technical mastery with hands-on mentorship, equipping aspiring engineers and artists with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to thrive in today’s music industry. His work bridges creativity and technology, empowering independent creators to take ownership of their sound and careers.
Adebisi Lawal
Event Project Manager
Adebisi Lawal is a Nigerian-born, Canada-based music executive dedicated to elevating African and global sounds through live events and artist development. As the force behind SCENT (Shifting Culture Entertainment) and Vuga Music Publishing, he has helped organize tours and concerts for artists across Canada, creating platforms that connect local talent with international audiences. His work focuses on community, culture, and expanding opportunities for artists in the Canadian music scene.
Jennifer Jimpinu Wophill
Creative Director
Jennifer Jimpinu Wophill is a Vancouver-based photographer and creative director whose work spans directing, producing, and community organizing. As the founder of Jimpinu Productions, she creates editorial and cinematic visual narratives that center Afro-diasporic identity, femininity, and community through photography and film. In addition to her production work, Jennifer is the founder of Jama'a, a growing creative community platform that connects artists, entrepreneurs, and storytellers through collaborative programming and cultural events. She is also the founder of ChoplifeVancity, a cultural lifestyle and event brand that celebrates Afrobeats, fashion, and contemporary diasporic expression. Through both her artistic practice and community-driven initiatives, Jennifer’s work continues to influence how Black creativity and innovation are represented across the global diaspora.
Denise Fraser
Advisory Board
Denise is a powerhouse DJ, producer, and radio host based in Vancouver. Known for her electrifying sets and deep-rooted passion for hip-hop culture, Denise has become one of the city’s leading female DJs — and a boundary-breaking force on the global stage. Denise is one of the leading female DJ’s in Vancouver. Breaking boundaries for female DJ’s globally. Denise impact extends beyond turntables, making her a vibrant influential figure in the city’s cultural tapestry.
Our Supporters
Supported By
We're proud to work with these organizations to strengthen the African community in BC.
BC Arts Council
(Pending)
UBC
Education
Canada Council for the Arts
(Pending)
City of Burnaby
Government
Canada
Government
City of Richmond
Government
City of New Westminster
Government
SFU
Education
City of Vancouver
Government
City of Surrey
Government
VIFF
Film Festival
Creative BC
Arts Organization
Vancouver Foundation
Foundation
Community Partners
Trusted Partners
Local African-owned businesses that help make our events memorable.
Idio Sound
Audio/Visual
Kula Foods
Food & Beverage
Black Space Media
Media Production
Rise Up Market Place
Marketplace
BEBC Society
Community Organization
Synergy on Boards
Creative Services
Want to become a partner? Apply here