SPEAKERS' BIO

Featured Afrofuturist Presenter

of Black Sun Comics

Kelvin Nyeusi Mawazo (Gumbs)

Kelvin Nyeusi Mawazo is the founder and creative force behind Black Sun Comics, a platform dedicated to creating rich narratives within the African diaspora. His work focuses on telling stories of Black heroism, resilience, and culture through the medium of comic books and graphic novels. Kelvin's art combines Afrofuturism with a deep understanding of historical and contemporary Black experiences, providing a new vision for comic enthusiasts.

Special guest presenter

Ytasha Womack

Ytasha L. Womack is a critically acclaimed author, filmmaker, dancer, independent scholar, and champion of humanity and the imagination. Her book Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi Fantasy Culture (2013) is the leading primer on the exciting subject that bridges science fiction, futurism, and culture. The book is a 2014 Locus Awards Non-Fiction Finalist.

Featured Afrofuturist Moderator

Divine Lys Ndemeye

Lys Divine Ndemeye is an artist, designer, public speaker and educator (adjunct professor at UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture) with ancestral roots from Burundi. She holds a Masters in Landscape Architecture and a Bachelors in Political Science and Human Geography. Divine was the recipient of the 2020 Olmsted Scholar Award; the premier leadership recognition program for landscape Architecture students in the U.S and Canada. She is also a recipient of the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects President’s Award (2022).

Featured Panelist

Malcolm Emilio Yarde

Malcolm Emilio Yarde is an accomplished visual artist and photographer whose work explores themes of identity, race, and environment. His photography captures the essence of Black communities, often focusing on intimate moments of daily life. Malcolm's work has been featured in galleries and publications, contributing to conversations on diversity and representation in contemporary art.

Featured Panelist

Kalkidan Assefa

Kalkidan Assefa, aka “DRPN Soul,” is an Ethiopian-born multidisciplinary visual artist and artist-educator, based in the unceded Algonquin Anishnaabeg territory known as Ottawa. His work is focused on large-scale murals, collaborative community-based public art projects, mixed-media canvases, and illustration. His subject matter centers around Diasporic experiences, Black representation, visibility, cultural memory, and ancestral knowledge.

Featured Panelist

Debbie Deer

Debbie Deer is a cultural strategist and consultant with expertise in event planning, community engagement, and arts management. With years of experience working with non-profits and cultural organizations, Debbie is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and representation in the arts. Her leadership has supported various programs aimed at empowering marginalized communities through creative initiatives.

Featured Indigenous Futurist Panelist

Jason Lewis

Jason Lewis is a professor, digital artist, and co-founder of the Initiative for Indigenous Futures (IIF). His work focuses on using digital tools to imagine futures grounded in Indigenous worldviews and values. Jason’s research and creative projects span art, technology, and activism, exploring how Indigenous communities can shape their own technological futures.

Featured Indigenous Futurist Panelist

Skawennati

Skawennati is a pioneering Mohawk new media artist known for creating works that envision Indigenous peoples in the future. Her notable projects, including TimeTraveller™ and Machinima, combine digital art and storytelling to challenge historical narratives and present Indigenous perspectives on history and futurism. Skawennati’s work has been exhibited globally.

Featured Afrofuturist

Lateef Martin

Lateef Martin is multidisciplinary artist, including illustration, writing, musician game design, cosplay and voiceover. His company Miscellaneum Studios centres Black, Indigenous, people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, the neurodivergent and disabled in its stories. It currently publishes Z'isle, a comic book series set in Montreal seven years after a zombie apocalypse and a music theatre performance tied to the comic called Abdul Lateef and the Distraction Machine. A music-based puzzle game is also in development.

Special Afrofuturist headliner

Day 2 and Day 3 After Party

Afrotronix

By actively instructing AI and its digital systems in the language of our African ancestors, Afrotronix imparts the wisdom of old onto new technologies. With a forward-thinking perspective on rhythm and percussion, they lead us on an extraordinary musical voyage into the profound and sacred African traditions and patterns. In doing so, they intertwine ancient codes and algorithms with futuristic concepts, creating a magnificent fusion of past and present. Afrotronix art is a vision that points to an Afrofuturism from Chad.

Special guest performer

Fana Soro

Fana Soro is a master musician and dancer from Ivory Coast, specializing in traditional West African percussion and dance. As the founder of the Fana Soro African Drumming and Dance Ensemble, he brings the vibrancy of African music and culture to audiences around the world. Fana’s dedication to cultural education has made him a sought-after performer and teacher.

Special guest performer

On Day 3

Black Stars Collective

The Black Stars Collective is an innovative group of multidisciplinary Black artists committed to creating space for Black creativity and expression. Through collaborations in music, visual arts, and performance, the collective seeks to challenge stereotypes, uplift Black voices, and foster unity across diverse cultural landscapes.

Event DJ

Dj Jayel

DJ Jayel is a versatile and skilled DJ known for blending genres and creating unforgettable party experiences. With a focus on Afrobeats, dancehall, and hip-hop, Jayel has built a reputation for keeping dance floors alive with his eclectic mixes. His ability to connect with diverse audiences makes him a staple in the local and international music scenes.

After party DJ

On Day 3

Dj Velvet

DJ Velvet is a trailblazing DJ and music curator who specializes in spinning soulful mixes of R&B, house, and funk. Her smooth transitions and deep knowledge of music history have made her a favourite in both underground and mainstream music circles. Velvet is dedicated to creating inclusive, positive spaces for music lovers to come together.