Meet our team
Through our global team of professionals, WeDiasporan fosters meaningful connections and harnesses the transformative power of community and culture to create lasting impact.
We are continuously expanding our presence within the African diaspora and across various African countries, giving us a truly global perspective. This reach ensures that the individuals, organizations, and governments we collaborate with feel confident in embracing our recommendations, amplifying our shared efforts to drive meaningful change.
Obehi Ewanfoh – Italy
Co-founder and Executive Director
Obehi Ewanfoh is a storytelling strategist, author, and host of the Obehi Podcast. He supports entrepreneurs, particularly in tourism and hospitality, in transforming their personal and professional stories into strategic assets that engage ideal audiences and foster business growth. He serves as the Executive Director of WeDiasporan.
Lenore Bartholomew – Trinidad
Finance and fundraising
Lenore Bartholomew is the CEO and Founder of Du Soleil Legacy Consultants. A Chartered Banker (MCBI) with an MBA and BSc, she brings expertise as a credit analyst and business consultant. Lenore leads WeDiasporan’s finance and fundraising teams, ensuring strategic resource development and sustainability.
Melissa Daville – Bahamas
WeDiasporan Collaboration Network (WCN)
Melissa Daville is a passionate entrepreneur and community advocate, best known for her work in the green business and ice cream sectors. She represented Barbados in the 2022 Climate Launchpad and drives global entrepreneurship as a GEN representative. Melissa leads the WeDiasporan Collaboration Network.
Ubaka Joseph Ugochukwu – Nigeria
Creative director
Ubaka Joseph Ugochukwu is an international award-winning film director known for a cinematic style recognized globally. He studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University and trained in filmmaking in Senegal and Germany. Joseph leads the film and creative direction at WeDiasporan, shaping its visual storytelling.
Selorm Quist – United States
Curriculum design
Selorm (Sel) Quist is a dedicated educator and creative thinker with a passion for youth empowerment and identity education. Drawing on diverse teaching experiences and her time as a federal analyst, she leads WeDiasporan’s educational initiatives, designing curricula for knowledge transfer projects.
Dr. Ikechi Kelechi Agbugba – Nigeria
Project SCADI
Dr. Ikechi Kelechi Agbugba is the pioneer of the Brain Re-engineering Strategy (Library of Congress, 2023) and a recipient of the Global Mentor of Change Award (GCPIT, 2022). With over 70 research publications, he interfaces within the academia, research and circular domains, Dr Ikechi is the Co-founder of Africa Organization of Technology in Agriculture (AOTA), and leads SCADI under WeDiasporan.
Williams Bill – Nigeria
AI and Tech Assistant
Bill is a multidisciplinary professional working at the intersection of technology, media, and creativity. He is the co-founder of Glubon, a startup focused on transforming the house rental process in Nigeria through simple, accessible software solutions. He also leads UBUGCISA, a fashion and art brand that gives artists creative freedom, profit-sharing opportunities, and a platform to tell powerful stories through themed launches.
Yahsonn Tafari – United States
A Caribbean representative
Yahsonn Tafari is from the small but historically rich island of Nevis 🇰🇳, the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton. A proud educator and advocate for sustainable living, he completed teacher training at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College in St. Kitts. Yahsonn went on to dedicate 15 years to teaching Agricultural Science and Social Studies at Charlestown Secondary School, St. James Primary, and St. Thomas’ Primary, where he inspired countless students through his passion for education and the land.
Alessandro Lanteri
Bridge Builder & Connector
Born on June 7, 1943, in Verona, Italy, Alessandro Lanteri is a former banker with a distinguished career spanning over three decades. He earned a diploma in Accounting in 1962, followed by a degree in Economics and Business from the University of Bologna in 1970.
He currently serves as a bridge builder and connector between WeDiasporan and Italian businesses, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and economic integration.
Other Volunteers
Crowdo
Tobiloba
Manuela
Martilda
Favour
Godwill
Yahsonn
Soro
Our Advisers
Rev Gloria Tinu Ogunbadejo – UK
Rev. Gloria Tinu is an ancestral healing coach based in the UK, dedicated to helping spiritually conscious individuals heal generational trauma and reconnect with their roots.
Dr. Negus Rudison-Imhotep – USA
Negus Imhotep is the CEO & Cultural Memory Specialist for Imhotep Consultancy Group, LLC., he is also the Deferred Expulsion Program Manager for Des Moines Public Schools.
Prince Maxwho Obayangbon – Italy
My name is Prince Maxwho Obayangbon, and I hail from Africa, specifically Nigeria’s Edo state and the city of Benin, but I currently reside in Italy, in Europe.
Professor Oluwafemi Esan – UK
Professor Oluwafemi Esan holds the distinction of being the founder of El-ROI London University, the first Black privately-owned American University in London. – UK.
Dr. Enolia Foti
Dr. Enolia is a globally recognized leader celebrated as an award-winning international keynote speaker, author, global influencer, social entrepreneur, and multi-award-winning life and business coach.
Kossi Komla-Ebri – Italy
He is a retired medical surgeon and author, best known for winning the first prize for fiction at the third edition of the Eks&Tra competition in 1997 with his story Quando attraverserò il fiume (“When I Cross the River”). Also the and author of Imbarazzismi (EnbarRacements).
Mohamed BA – Italy
Mohamed BA is a distinguished Senegalese artist, educator, and cultural advocate based in Milan. He is deeply passionate about bridging cultural divides through the powerful mediums of theater and percussion-based music.
Carole Demesmin Mawoule – USA
Carole Demesmin, born in Léogâne, Haiti, has always been driven by her love for her country and culture, advocating for traditional values. In 1976, alongside renowned Haitian pianist Gerdes Fleurant.
Godwin Itulah – Switzerland
Godwin Itulah, originally from Uromi in Esan, Edo State, Nigeria, is a proud advocate of Esan culture and values, which he actively promotes in Switzerland, where he resides with his family.
Those who have already worked with us
Here is a list of the incredible individuals and organizations we have worked with in the past. We are truly grateful for their invaluable contributions.
- Africanews.it.
- Verona Film Commission
- Agy Kwakye: Resident – Vicenza.
- Lorenzo Mazzi: Resident – Verona.
- Vilma Ottonelli: Resident – Brescia.
- Macelleria Atlas: Resident – Verona.
- Karole Tcheukam: Resident – Verona.
- Ada Indrieş: Social assistant – Verona.
- Yimer Dagmawi: Documentarian – Verona.
- Andrews Yeboah: Photographer – Verona.
- Gbeyo Yoro Stephanie: Resident – Verona.
- Manuela Garreffa: Acquei Terme.
- Riccardo Sagentini: Photographer – Verona.
- Malice Omondi: Social assistant – Verona.
- Corinne Djitchouang: Resident – Verona.
- Chiara Fraccaroli: Resident – Verona.
- Karine Tchuente: Resident – Verona.
- Eliana Bombieri: Resident – Verona.
- Fabrizio Colombo: Priest – Verona.
- Ofure Mathina: Resident – Verona.
- Meg Ebu: Designer – Verona.
Veronetta – New Faces Of a Neighborhood – Interviewees
- Zama: Shop owner – Veronetta.
- Rasika: Shop owner – Veronetta.
- Giulia Vicenzi: Resident – veronetta.
- Lauria Andrea: Resident – Veronetta.
- Innocent Ebe: Shop owner – Veronetta.
- Pierluigi Grigoletti: Architect – Veronetta.
- Loughlimi Lhabib: Resident – Veronetta.
- Marco Ambrosi: Photographer – Verona.
- Uddin Monazim: Shop owner – Veronetta.
- Giovanni Vignato: Shop owner – Veronetta.
- Giancarlo Beltrame: Journalist and Lecturer.
- Carlo Melegari: Director of Cestim – Verona.
- Marco Danielon: Sculpture Artist – Veronetta.
- Giusepina Boateng: Social Assistant – Verona.
- Mustapha Wagne: Trade Unionist – Veronetta.
- Ibrahim Khachab: Restaurant Owner – Veronetta.
- Francesca Benciolini: City Councillor – Padova.
- Ramona Parenza: Teacher and author – Brescia.
- Anna Mozzo: Student at the University of Verona.
- Elena Migliavacca: Deretor of Casa di Ramia – Verona.
- Cisse Falilou: Musical artist and trade unionist – Verona.
- Marcellino Marundo: Lecturer of Economics – Mozambique.
Other Contributors
- Lucia Perina: General Secretary of UIL Verona.
- Sarah Chreyha: A psychologist who specializes in evolutive and psycho-diagnostics psychology in Padua.
For Advice and Revision of Texts
- Innocent Daniel Ezenwa: Community leader – Verona.
- Ugochukwu: Lecturer at Open University – United Kingdoms.
- Elise Abram: Educator, Author, and Publisher – Ontario, Canada.
- Daniel Kobehe: Ivory Coast Immigrant Worker – Paris, France.
WE REFUGEES – VERONA 2016 – Interviewees (Workers at refugee centers)
- Claudio: Ronde della carità of Verona.
- Lucia Zanoni: Centro aperto, Verona.
- Nadia Gobbo: Centro aperto, Verona.
- Eleonora Rizzi: Spazio aperto, Verona.
- Andrea Tassetti: Centro aperto, Verona.
- Massimiliano Minozzo: Associazione Betania, Verona.
Some Of The Refugees That Were Interviewed
- Addourahmane.
- Mamadou.
- Fredrick.
- Otokiti.
- Omoregne.
- Efosa.
- Iyamu.
- Obeto.
- Nwosu.
- Osemiekhian.
The Journey: Africans In Verona – Interviewees
- Charles Ani: Architect – Verona.
- Odion Hope: Resident – Verona.
- Kingford Patrick: Resident – Verona.
- Jean Francois: Entrepreneur – Verona.
- Enabulele Benson: Resident – Verona.
- Erhomosele Orukpe: Resident – Verona.
- Hamid Barole: Poet and author – Verona.
- Beyene Zerazion: Medical oculist – Verona.
- Sandra Faith Erhabor: Social worker – Verona.
- Ernesto Da Silva: Guinea Bessua resident – Verona.
- Robert Osifo: Ex-President of the Nigerian Association in Verona.
Other Contributors
- Francesca Bazzani: Food marketing consultant – Verona.
- Tommy Kuti: Musical artist – Brescia.
The Color Of Our Children – Interviewees (Parents/Teachers)
- Maddalena Albanese: Teacher of history and Italian language and a Referent for the integration of non-Italian students – Vicenza.
- Ethiel France: The main protagonist of the research – Vicenza.
- Cristina Cominacini: Social worker in “Le Fate” Association – Verona.
- Elena Buttturini: Teacher in Massalongo Elementary School – Verona.
- Domenico Martino: Director of the Ministry of education in Vicenza, at the time of the interview.
- Ethiel’s Mother – Vicenza.
- Valida Boafo: Mother – Padova.
- Marta Borin: Ethiel’s friend in school – Vicenza.
- Cadigia Hassan: Mother and journalist – Padova.
- Ernesto Passante: Headteacher of Veronetta, Verona, at the time of the interview.
- Jennifer Iloegbunam: Mother and cultural mediator – Verona.
- Ziani Abdelghani: Moroccan parent and cultural mediator – Verona.
- Marialuisa Damini: Teacher and researcher for cultural diversity in schools.
- Giorgio Santarello: Director of Padova provincial administration, work and formation section, at the time of interview.
Voxpop – Students
- Vanessa: Student – Verona.
- Emanuela: Student – Verona.
- Sara: Istituto Paritario Sacra Famiglia – Verona.
- Nora: Massalongo Scuola Elementare – Verona.
- Aima: Massalongo Scuola Elementare – Verona.
- Anna: Massalongo Scuola Elementare – Verona.
- Melani: Istituto Paritario Sacra Famiglia – Verona.
- Mattia: Istituto Tecnico Industriale Statale -Vicenza.
- Ahmed: Istituto Tecnico Industriale Statale – Vicenza.
- Anthony: Istituto Tecnico Industriale Statale – Vicenza.
- Winifred: Istituto Tecnico Statale Marco Polo – Verona.
- Andrea: Istituto Tecnico Commerciale Einaudi – Padova.
- Leonardo: Istituto Tecnico Commerciale Einaudi – Padova.
- Camilla: Liceo Artistico Statale Amedeo Modigliani – Padova.
- Lorenzo: Istituto d’Istruzione Superiore “A. Canova” – Vicenza.
- Anna: Istituto Di Istruzione Superiore Leonardo Da Vinci – Padova.
- Asmaa: Istituto Tecnico Commerciale Aldo Pasoli – Verona.
Conference On Human Migration – University of Verona
- Prof. Gian Paolo Romagnano: Director of the Department of Culture and civilization, University of Verona.
- Jean-Pierre Piessou: Lecturer of African anthropology.
- Gruppo dei rifugiati: African Young Stars, Verona.
- Alessandro Tortorella – Vice prefect of Verona.
- Luca Delponte: Journalist, TeleArena, Verona.
- Marina Sorina: Italian-Ukraine author.
- Anna Leso – City Councillor, Verona.
- Fometh Attiogbe: Ivorian poet, Verona.
- Raffaello Zordan: Journalist at Nigrizia, Verona.
- Nadia Gobbo: Cooperativa spazio aperto, Verona.
- Prosper Nkenfack: President of Africa’s friends, Verona.
- Prof. Anna Maria Paini: Lecturer of Anthropology, University of Verona.
- Prof. Emanuela Gamberoni: Lecturer of human geography, University of Verona.
What about you?
How do you want to support the mission and add your name to the list?