On the 28th May 2022, Think Africa held its Annual General Meeting and elected a leadership team composed of both new and old members.
As the leadership structure of Think Africa transitions, and our commitment and enthusiasm to engage, promote and empower the African diaspora and enhance collaboration between Finland and African countries continues with fresh perspectives, the task of building a strong foundation for the organisation is at the forefront of this Board. Our achievement will depend on working together with members, volunteers, and partners.
This blog-post is an introduction of the Think Africa Board of Trustees for 2022 – 2023 with an inclusive brief of personal narratives and descriptions of their focus of desires, interests, tasks and responsibilities. Introduced in alphabetical order of last name.
I am Akin Akinsola, the incoming vice-chairperson for Think Africa. I have been on the Think Africa board before as a member, the Community and Outreach Manager, and as a member of the Communication and Strategic Partnerships team. I am also the coordinator for The African Conversation. I am an engineer by education and profession. I enjoy reading in my free time and playing basketball. It’s an honour to be back home to Think Africa and I hope to meet as many members as possible as we work together.
Email: akin@thinkafrica.fi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akintomide-akinsola-29290132/
Theresia Bilola: I have been following and participating in the activities of Think Africa for the past 3 years and became an official member about a year ago. I recently got voted into the board of Think Africa where I want to use my skills and experiences to:
- Contribute to the expansion of Think Africa beyond the capital region.
- Contribute to strengthening the voices of Africans in the making, implementation and evaluation of policies in Finland.
- Simplify the communication about sustainability, climate and environment for Think Africa’s members and people of African descent in Finland.
Hobbies: In my free time I sing, walk, read, cook and dance.
Email: theresia.bilola@thinkafrica.fi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bilolatheresia/
Myriam Munezero: I have been a Board member and the Chairperson of Think Africa since 2018, and I am currently serving my last year as the Chair. During my term, in addition to facilitating the different committees, I want to focus on strengthening the foundation of the organization, as well as the sustainability and resource mobilization strategy. I see Think Africa growing to be the number one key player when it comes to African diaspora engagement, representation, and supporting collaboration among organizations and between Finland and African countries.
In my free time, I enjoy music and dancing, watching good movies and tv-shows, reading books and writing blog posts. I also love baking and traveling and discovering the world through my little girl’s eyes.
I often share my knowledge and interests in my personal blog http://myriammunezero.com/ .
Email: myriam@thinkafrica.fi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-myriam-munezero-7a352014/
Senghor Nkuliza: This is my second year to serve Think Africa as its treasurer. I joined the year before as an ordinary member, since then I have enjoyed the journey to support the Think Africa’s mission and goals through enabling transparency, inclusion, participation and collaboration within members and stakeholders.
Good practice of finances, production and sustainability of the association will be my responsibilities in this term as a re-elected member of the board of directors. Feel free to contact me if this line of service interests you.
By profession, I am a Math and Science teacher in basic education and upper secondary school.
In my free time I like jogging, gyimming, watching movies, playing chess and spending some quality time with my family.
Email: senghor.nkuliza@thinkafrica.fi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/senghor-nkuliza-b7b24231/
Roberto Raitasuo: My name is Roberto, you can call me Robert or Rob as well. My family, including my Spanish relatives call me Roope. I have grown up until my adult years in Barcelona as part of a Finnish-Spanish family. While in an mixed European surrounding at home, at school I had fortunately the chance to meet people from elsewhere in a very mixed and working-class school and high school. I have spent my summers in the Finnish countryside, near Turku (Taivassalo, if you ever want to pass by).
In the last years I have been increasingly interested in entrepreneurship (things such as renewable energies, sustainability, food production…, and something so different as making the decorating of a house with art much more affordable and accessible to everyone). I believe in making the world and our nearby surroundings a better place for all, through collaboration.
And well, why Think Africa? My contact with Africans brought me to Think Africa and also to Ethiopia. Africa and Africans have a great potential, in which I believe and which I find interesting and worth supporting. Africa and Africans from different places have given me love and friendship and the continent and its diverse peoples have my appreciation. Together stronger.
Email: roberto.raitasuo@thinkafrica.fi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-blanco-raitasuo-78b73935/
Nia Sullivan: Hello! My name is Nia. I’m from Seattle, Washington, and have lived in Helsinki, Finland for 2.5 years. I’m completing a Master’s degree in social exclusion with a concentration in gender studies, and I work in human rights as a trainee at Amnesty International. I became familiar with Think Africa through social media and initially became active by participating in the book club. Eventually, I volunteered as a coordinator for Think Africa’s summer youth camp (2021) and interned for the Entrepreneurial Program. In Fall 2021, I volunteered for Think Africa Week and served as a moderator for the Youth and Young Adult Panel discussion. It’s an honor to serve on Think Africa’s board as the Secretary-General, as well as in the partnerships and outreach departments. I am captivated by community outreach and engagement and will work towards establishing oneness and connectedness through activities and community support.
Hobbies: I relax with meditation, learning several styles of dance, long runs, reading, attending different events in Helsinki, and meeting new people.
Email: nia.sullivan@thinkafrica.fi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nia-sullivan-779836116/
