Co-Founders/Executive Directors
Tinthi Tembo
“I want people to wake up and get their money”
Tinthi Tembo: Makadini ("Hello" in Shona). My name is Chitinthi Tembo, however, I go by Tinthi. I am Indigenous to the land of Zimbabwe, located in SubSaharan Africa. I come from a bi-cultural background of the Shona (Zimbabwe) and Nsenga (Zambia) part of our larger Bantu clan, covering Southern Africa going Eastward as far as Uganda. Ubuntu is an African philosophy which notions that one’s humanity is inextricably linked to one another. Being Indigenous to the African continent, there are similarities in knowledge transfer, engagement with the land and basic human values that I share with Indigenous communities on Turtle Island. I am a Human Geographer and community advocate for diversity and inclusion. I minored in Critical Studies in Sexuality, a self-directed study, where I centered research on critical examinations of race, sexuality and social justice. I view my duty as a guest to this land to harness that energy, to pay homage, and to fight for Indigenous land sovereignty across Turtle Island. Throughout my education, building connections and learning about other cultures has been of utmost importance for informing my purpose and identity. In my experience, Black and Indigenous communities are pushed to the margins, and our experiences are frequently overshadowed. We created BIPOC-CA in hopes to re-imagine a new relationship, where we decide who sits at the table, and we advocate for access to resources and opportunities for our people. I currently work in the film industry, leading an entrepreneurial career where I hope to gain the knowledge towards opening our own production house.
Kimani “Djflani” Geoffrey
“Exploitation of arts and cultural creatives must end, we are the change we’ve been waiting for”
Kimani Geoffrey: DJ Flani hails from the motherland, born in Kenya, but calling Canada home since 2006. Specializing in Old School Reggae, Hip Hop, R&B, Afrobeats, East African BongoFlava, Genge, Kapuka and Zilizopendwa. With over 14 years in the industry his passion for music is paramount. Along with Co-Founding BIPOC-CA, Kimani’s passion for arts and culture has led to the curation of other events and organizations such as Back To Afrika Friday’s which ran for close to three years at the Anza club, Tropikal sounds int’l and Afro-shreds ski and snowboard. Since early on Kimani has been working towards the inclusion and accessibility of the arts and of the outdoors for the BIPOC community, and is humbled to continue to advocate for equality.
Fawnda Bullshields
“Your ancestors paved the way and now it’s your time to shine”
Fawnda Bullshields: Oki ("Hello" in our language Blackfoot). My name is Fawnda Bullshields. I am from the Blood reserve in Southern Alberta. I come from a long line of matriarchs and chiefs that fostered and implemented Indigenous law in my community before colonization. Indigenous Law is, but not limited to, respecting the land and becoming a good steward of the land. How I navigate the world is based on my teachings as an Indigenous Woman and how I contribute to the world in a good way. With that being said, my work and passion is to dismantle colonization within colonial frameworks. I support creating spaces for Indigenous, Black and People of Color who are not only the presenters, but the curators and knowledge keepers of their own art. Traditionally, I have been contracted to consult with agencies to ensure cultural competency, however, not all my advisements are taken seriously. This has resulted in creating an agency with my fellow Co-founders that allows Indigenous Black and People of Color to have space, funding, resources, and collaboration where the agency has Indigenous and Black founders. That is why we created BIPOC, which stands for Black Indigenous and People of Color and we hope to fund artists for their own endeavors. Currently I work for Squamish Nation in Child and Family Services as a social justice social worker and teach Pow-wow lessons and beading when possible.