BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Frantz Voltaire
Chairman
Frantz Voltaire is the director of CIDIHCA, le Centre International de Documentation et d'Information Haïtienne, Caribéenne et Afro-canadienne (the International Centre of Haitian, Caribbean and Afro-Canadian Documentation and Information) a non-profit organization founded in Montreal in 1983. A retired professor and expert in Haitian history and the Africanness of the Americas and Caribbean, he taught sociology, political science, and social sciences in different universities (Quebec-Canada, Haiti, Chile and Mexico, among others). He has produced or collaborated on several works and documentaries about Haiti including ‘Protoprens se pam’ (1999) about the bicentenary of the town of Port-au-Prince and ‘Les Chemins de la mémoire’.
The CIDIHCA is one of those rare Francophone, Afro-Canadian reference organizations working in the field of research, arts and culture in Quebec’s metropolis.
Africanist and eminent educator, Frantz Voltaire is also an historian, political scientist, author and filmmaker who enjoys close relationships with many Afro-Canadian organizations. For example, he was a member in 1984 of the first board of directors of the well-renowned Festival Vues d’Afrique which was first conceived in his own offices. He was also chairman of the board of directors of the Nyata-Nyata dance troupe… and there have been plenty more besides.
When combined with his intellectual rigour and commitment, everything he brings to the table makes him the right man at the right time. His contribution to the leadership and governance of the Afromusée will be considerable.
Coumba Ngom
Vice president
Coumba Ngom has been an entrepreneur in the hotel industry for around twenty years. She has training in translation, special education and speaks 5 languages. Coumba Ngom's career is characterized by sustained involvement in his community through his commitment to numerous community bodies.
These include organizations dedicated to food security, governance, the emergence of a network of black leaders, and female entrepreneurship. She is also a commissioner at the Montreal Public Consultation Office, a member of the Regional Council of Labor Market Partners, and hosts a show on the community radio station Radio Centre-Ville.
Passionate about art and culture, vectors of social change, Coumba founded Terrasse Teranga, a place for artistic and gastronomic presentation in downtown Montreal. In addition to hosting galas, discussion panels and workshops, Coumba is also in demand as a speaker. Her favorite subjects are self-knowledge and human resilience.
James Affolaby
Administrateur
James Affolaby is an accomplished professional with a Masters in Business Administration. With more than twelve years of experience in finance and more than six years in management, he brings valuable expertise to the Afromusée board of directors. Having lived in several countries, James has a unique international perspective that enriches his contributions.
Aside from his financial and management skills, James is also a talented comedy show producer and has over ten years of experience in broadcast content production. His commitment to cultural diversity and his dedication to promoting the arts make him a major asset to the Afromusée.
Jean-François Leclerc
Secretary
A consultant in museology and history, Jean-François Leclerc holds a Master’s degree in History and Museology. From 1996 to 2018, he ran the Centre d'histoire de Montréal (Montreal Historical Centre), the city’s institutional museum that he repositioned as the MEM, Centre des mémoires montréalaises (Memories of Montreal Centre). Jean-François Leclerc is a museologist recognised not only in Quebec but, also, abroad for his vision of the museum’s social role. He has introduced many innovative projects driven by the concept of ‘museology for the people’, namely, projects that are rooted in the value and importance of oral history and in the participation of the city’s population, including its immigrant communities.
Jean-François hopes that his long and successful commitment to the contemporary museum as a mobile, open, intercultural and community institution, will enrich the impact of the Afromusée.
Bénédict Nguiagain-Launière
Administrator
A historian and sociologist by training, Bénédict Nguiagain-Launière holds a master's degree in applied history and a doctorate in sociology from UQÀM.
Her research interests focus on issues related to immigration, citizenship and the social and economic inclusion of racialized people, particularly those from Afro-descendant communities in Canada.
Researcher at the Observatory of Black Communities, her areas of expertise are:
- The sociology of immigration
- African-Canadian history
- Anti-black racism
- Participatory action research (By, For and With)
Nikita Chigoho
Treasurer
Holder of a bachelor's degree in statistics from Concordia University in 2019, she brings valuable expertise in finance and accounting. Immersed in the world of African art since her childhood, Nikita combines her technical skills with a deep cultural understanding, which strengthens her involvement in the financial management of the institution. She also plays a key role in fundraising.
Karama Zouboudou
Administrator
Holder of a master's degree in business administration with a specialization in project management Karama Zouboudou works to leave a maximum positive impact in all her professional as well as personal endeavors.
Eager to keep her skills and knowledge up to date and improve, she is also studying in a graduate program specializing in administration at the University of Montreal.
Furthermore, she is passionate about planning, organization and the development of partnerships. She has been practicing project management for over 5 years and wishes to continue contributing to large-scale projects in the community.
Guy Mushagalusa
Chigoho
CEO and founder of Afromusée
Mushagalusa Chigoho, executive manager and founder of the Afromusée, is recognized as a passionate collector of African art. With more than three decades of experience in the cultural field, both in Quebec and internationally, he has led a multitude of varied projects, ranging from exhibitions to shows, including literary evenings, conferences, artistic residencies and thematic workshops.
Its deep commitment to the creation of unifying events, which highlight the richness of African cultural heritage, has enabled it to establish solid partnerships with various organizations, public and private institutions, as well as with artists and the general public.
Convinced of the transformative power of art as a tool for education, unification and awareness of social issues, Mushagalusa launched Espace Mushagalusa in 2014, an art gallery and a platform for open dialogue on diversity. From this initiative the Afromusée was born in 2017, a museum institution whose mission is to promote knowledge of Africa, Africans and Afro-descendants, as well as their cultures and heritage still alive throughout the world.
The Afromusée is the leading institution to represent the contributions of Afro-Canadians to the cultural landscape of Canada.
Supporting the Afromuseum allows Afro-Canadians' influence
to be noticed, celebrated and shared all over the world.
Your donations will help the primary mission of the Afromusée:
making Afro-Canadian culture acessible to all.
*All donations of $20.00 or above will
receive a tax-deductible receipt from the Afromuseum sent to you by email.