Our Team
David Bebiem is a dynamic, multitalented artist, entrepreneur, and creative visionary with over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts, with concentrations in Theatre, Music, and Fine Arts, and specialized in Acting and Directing.
A proud member of the Black Actors and Film Guild of Canada, David is an accomplished actor, singer, director, musician, and vocal/performance coach. Over the years, he has played lead roles in several award-winning stage productions by renowned African playwrights, including The Gods Are Not to Blame, Death and the King’s Horseman, Alaafin Karan, The Trials of Brother Jero, and Imagwero, among others.
As a musician, David has graced numerous high-profile stages and events—both public and private—showcasing his versatility across diverse musical genres. He served as Music Director and Vocal/Performance Coach for Nigerian Idol (Seasons 1–3), where he helped shape and refine the talents of many aspiring singers. To this day, he continues to train and direct choirs and individual performers with his signature blend of creativity and discipline.
In film and media, David has written, produced, and directed several short films and worked as Assistant Director on acclaimed productions such as Exhale and Color of Love. His work spans short and feature films, reflecting his passion for storytelling and excellence in production.
Beyond the arts, David is a master of ceremonies, voice-over artist, event consultant, and manager known for his professionalism, charisma, and collaborative spirit. He is community-driven and uses his talents to uplift others—combining his artistry with humanitarian values to make a lasting impact wherever he goes.
An accomplished entrepreneur, David is the Co-owner of Grandieu Inc., a multimedia, events, marketing, and film production company. He is also the Convener of AfroVisionX, an initiative celebrating African creativity, culture, and innovation.
In addition to his creative pursuits, David is a certified soccer coach, community social worker, and business analyst—a testament to his versatility and leadership both on and off the stage.
David Bebiem remains passionate about empowering others, fostering cultural exchange, and pursuing excellence in every field he touches.
David Bebiem
Event Convener/Executive Director AfroVisionX
Stella Damasus is a critically acclaimed actor, singer, acting coach, speaker, producer, and author of Màmá, It’s A Girl, a fiction novel. With almost three decades as an entertainer and over 100 films as an actor, she has won numerous awards globally. She has recently taken her love for film behind the camera and is now an Executive Producer with her YouTube Channel, Stella Damasus TV. To crown it all, she made her directorial debut with two short films, NNEOMA and NDIA. The former has been doing festival rounds, and the latter was released on YouTube while still doing festival rounds.
Stella has been a strong voice for the education of women, consistently fights against underage marriages and injustice against women and young girls. She is the founder of ADIVA Networks, a media and consulting company; An Actor’s Playhouse Academy, an acting school for actors of all levels; Global African Filmmakers, a union created to protect the rights and interests of African Filmmakers worldwide; Stella Damasus Arts Foundation, and is the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of ADIVA Magazine. She is also a certified relationship coach and a mother.
Stella Damasus is a critically acclaimed actor, singer, acting coach, speaker, producer, and author of Màmá, It’s A Girl, a fiction novel. With almost three decades as an entertainer and over 100 films as an actor, she has won numerous awards globally. She has recently taken her love for film behind the camera and is now an Executive Producer with her YouTube Channel, Stella Damasus TV. To crown it all, she made her directorial debut with two short films, NNEOMA and NDIA. The former has been doing festival rounds, and the latter was released on YouTube while still doing festival rounds.
Stella has been a strong voice for the education of women, consistently fights against underage marriages and injustice against women and young girls. She is the founder of ADIVA Networks, a media and consulting company; An Actor’s Playhouse Academy, an acting school for actors of all levels; Global African Filmmakers, a union created to protect the rights and interests of African Filmmakers worldwide; Stella Damasus Arts Foundation, and is the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of ADIVA Magazine. She is also a certified relationship coach and a mother.
Stella Damasus
Ayoola Sadare (Shaddie Bobo) is a Nigerian creative economy strategist, producer, and entrepreneur. He's the Chief Imagination Officer of Inspiro Productions, founder of Lagos International Jazz Festival (LIJF), and pioneer of NAIJAZZ Collective. With over 30 years of experience, Sadare drives projects fusing entertainment, creativity, and technology, positioning Africa's creative economy for growth. Founder Planet Afrobeats. Recognising the city of Lagos Nigeria as the capital of Afrobeats worldwide.
Ayoola Sadare
Toyin Oshinaike is an accomplished actor and theatre director with over two decades of professional experience, having honed his craft under the mentorship of renowned directors such as Wole Soyinka, Chuck Mike, Jide Ogungbade, Tunde Awosanmi, and others. His extensive acting career spans numerous stage productions, including leading roles in Death and the King’s Horseman, Things Fall Apart, The Lion and the Jewel, Hard Ground, The Wives Revolt, and The Wives. Toyin has performed on stages across Nigeria, the UK, the USA, and Europe, bringing to life diverse characters that reflect his versatility and depth as a performer.
As a director, Toyin has led acclaimed productions such as The Incorruptible Judge, Fela Son of Kuti, The Lion and the Jewel, King Baabu, and Rain. His works have been showcased at major festivals and theatres, including the British Council Lagos Theatre Festival and the National Theatre. He has also appeared in several films and television projects, including Roti, Still Water Runs Deep, Nigerian Prince, and The Ghost & The House of Truth. A two-time Best Actor award recipient in the United States (2018), Toyin continues to advocate for artistic excellence that transcends cultural boundaries.
Toyin Oshinaike is an accomplished actor and theatre director with over two decades of professional experience, having honed his craft under the mentorship of renowned directors such as Wole Soyinka, Chuck Mike, Jide Ogungbade, Tunde Awosanmi, and others. His extensive acting career spans numerous stage productions, including leading roles in Death and the King’s Horseman, Things Fall Apart, The Lion and the Jewel, Hard Ground, The Wives Revolt, and The Wives. Toyin has performed on stages across Nigeria, the UK, the USA, and Europe, bringing to life diverse characters that reflect his versatility and depth as a performer.
As a director, Toyin has led acclaimed productions such as The Incorruptible Judge, Fela Son of Kuti, The Lion and the Jewel, King Baabu, and Rain. His works have been showcased at major festivals and theatres, including the British Council Lagos Theatre Festival and the National Theatre. He has also appeared in several films and television projects, including Roti, Still Water Runs Deep, Nigerian Prince, and The Ghost & The House of Truth. A two-time Best Actor award recipient in the United States (2018), Toyin continues to advocate for artistic excellence that transcends cultural boundaries.
Toyin Oshinaike
Velaze Vinolia Mabele is a dynamic South African entrepreneur, award-winning public figure, and the visionary founder of VELAZE M, a luxury fashion boutique that fuses contemporary elegance with unapologetic African identity. A natural-born leader with a refined eye for style and a deep commitment to social impact, she is rapidly becoming a prominent voice in Africa’s fashion and creative business landscape.
Vinolia’s professional journey is rooted in her diverse portfolio as a former Miss United Nations International, a respected radio presenter, and a youth and social cohesion activist. Through every platform she’s occupied—from community boardrooms to global stages—Vinolia has consistently championed African excellence, women empowerment, and inclusive entrepreneurship.
Professional Background & Achievements
- Founder & Creative Director of VELAZE M: Launched in March 2025 at Mall of the South, the boutique embodies her lifelong passion for fashion, business, and representation.
- Social Cohesion Advocate: Served as Deputy Chair of the Social Cohesion Advocates Programme, focusing on youth development, diversity, and nation-building.
- Board Leadership: Former Chairperson of the Board at Global Leading Light Initiative, leading strategic oversight on programs centered around innovation and empowerment.
- Recipient of the Gauteng Women of Excellence Award: Honoured by former Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura, in the category of Community Development.
- Public Speaking & Global Representation: Frequently invited to speak on national and international platforms. Highlights include keynote addresses at Rhodes University’s Leadership Week, NYDA’s Integrated Youth Development Strategy Summit, and global events such as:
- The International Summit on Migration and Youth Empowerment hosted by Medgar Evers College (MEC), City University, New York City (CUNY), where she has emphasized the need for safe, orderly migration and youth empowerment to boost the global economy:
"Migration has been with us and it will continue to be with us. The future of the economies depend on each other. It is, therefore, important for young people to be at the center of managing migration, to be well informed about the notion of migration and why it exists and how much of a role it played in the liberation of most countries, particularly African countries, in order to embrace it as we work towards achieving the objectives of Agenda 2063.”
— Vinolia Mabele (JIFORM) - The Culture Summit – a global forum on workplace culture and innovation
- The International Cultural Summit in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she was recognized for her powerful message:
“Cultural exchange shows the importance of similarities rather than differences, and it highlights the beauty of diversity, an element that is very prominent and important in my country of South Africa.”
— Vinolia Mabele, Deputy Chairperson of Social Cohesion in South Africa
- The International Summit on Migration and Youth Empowerment hosted by Medgar Evers College (MEC), City University, New York City (CUNY), where she has emphasized the need for safe, orderly migration and youth empowerment to boost the global economy:
Core Strengths
- Fashion retail strategy and brand development
- Public relations and high-impact communications
- Inclusive leadership and team building
- Market expansion and customer engagement
- Advocacy for women, youth, and persons with disabilities
Vision as a Founder:
“To create a fashion ecosystem that not only sets trends but transforms lives. VELAZE M is not just about clothing — it's about confidence, community, and claiming space as Africans in the global luxury narrative.”
Why Investors Believe in Her:
Vinolia brings a rare combination of creative intuition, operational drive, and social intelligence. With her ability to influence both the market and the movement, she is not only building a brand — she is building a legacy.
Velaze Vinolia Mabele
Bukola Oloyede is a media and creative industry consultant, producer, and ecosystem strategist driving innovation across Africa’s creative economy. With over a decade of multidisciplinary experience spanning film, television, and brand development, she specializes in designing and executing initiatives that strengthen creative value chains, empower emerging talent, and connect storytelling with sustainable economic growth.
As the founder of TIMA (The Ideas Mill Africa), Bukola leads a team that develops platforms, programs, and partnerships that bridge the gap between creativity and commerce — from producing flagship campaigns and reality formats to building industry-shaping initiatives like She Creates, The Creative Parliament, and a varied portfolio of translational media content. Her work with global brands such as Sony has helped establish new frameworks for collaboration, visibility, and market access within Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.
Bukola Oloyede is a media and creative industry consultant, producer, and ecosystem strategist driving innovation across Africa’s creative economy. With over a decade of multidisciplinary experience spanning film, television, and brand development, she specializes in designing and executing initiatives that strengthen creative value chains, empower emerging talent, and connect storytelling with sustainable economic growth.
As the founder of TIMA (The Ideas Mill Africa), Bukola leads a team that develops platforms, programs, and partnerships that bridge the gap between creativity and commerce — from producing flagship campaigns and reality formats to building industry-shaping initiatives like She Creates, The Creative Parliament, and a varied portfolio of translational media content. Her work with global brands such as Sony has helped establish new frameworks for collaboration, visibility, and market access within Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.
Bukola Oloyede
Segun Adefila is an avant-garde multidisciplinary artist, theatre director and choreographer. He is the founding leader and lead masquerade of the renowned Crown Troupe of Africa, a Lagos-based youth dance collective. With a career spanning over two decades, Adefila has been a driving force in shaping Nigeria's performing arts landscape, producing works and adapting literary classics that speak to the postcolonial condition in Nigeria.
His professional journey began with the establishment of Crown Troupe of Africa in 1996, which has since become a hub for innovative and culturally relevant performances in Lagos. Adefila's artistic vision and performance tradition have been shaped by academic training both at the University of Lagos and the University of Ibadan where he was enrolled in a graduate program in the early 2010s. His theatre is also influenced by the radical works of Wole Soyinka, Fela Kuti, and Femi Osofisan.
As a seasoned performer, Adefila.has collaborated with notable theatre groups around the world and has appeared on stages in countries as diverse as South Africa, Brazil, Zambia, Congo Indonesia, the UK, Germany, the US, and Trinidad and Tobago. Adefila has also given invited talks at universities in Nigeria, the UK and the United States. He has appeared in notable films such as HeadGone by Naija Ninjas, Tunde Kelani's "Campus Queen," "The Narrow Path," and "Arugba." His collaborations with acclaimed filmmakers and theatre directors have earned him a reputation as a master of his craft.
Segun Adefila is the major subject of the 2009 documentary film, "Bariga Boy" produced and directed by Femi Odugbemi to show how the street performances of Segun Adefila and Crown Troupe draws on guerrilla theatre to address issues of poverty in the slums of Bariga in Lagos. Adefila continues to push the boundaries of theatre and performance arts, promoting cultural exchange, social justice, and community engagement in Nigeria particularly in Lagos.
He is the founder of the annual Eko Theatre Carnival, a feast of arts that started in 2016 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Crown Troupe of Africa.
Segun Adefila
Maryam Muritala is a visionary entrepreneur, Foreign Trained Legal Professional, and the dynamic founder of Canadavendors, a thriving business Development snd Advertising Agency created to spotlight and support small businesses within the Canada and beyond. With a background in Commercial law and a passion for community-building, she has become a leading voice in empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs to scale their businesses through visibility, education, and connection.
Driven by her belief in the transformative power of commerce, Maryam launched Canadavendors to bridge the gap between talented local vendors and the global market. Her work has helped thousands of entrepreneurs gain exposure, boost revenue, and build sustainable brands.
Beyond her business endeavors, Maryam is an advocate for immigrant entrepreneurship, women in business, and inclusive economic development. She regularly speaks at industry events, mentors aspiring founders, and collaborates with organizations to foster diversity in entrepreneurship.
Maryam’s leadership continues to inspire innovation and collaboration, making her a respected figure in Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and a beacon for small business empowerment globally.
In 2022 She was honored with the CIBWE Top Black 100 Women to Watch in Canada Awards and she was also conferred with the Brampton Citizen Awards (Inspirational Category Awards).
Maryam Muritala
Amaka Samuel-Okon is a multiple award-winning film producer, creative entrepreneur, and media executive who is passionate about storytelling and audience connection.
As the Founder and Creative Director of DEBSAM PRODUCTIONS, she leads a multidisciplinary media company that produces films, podcasts, social media event coverage, and also engages in photobooth interactive experience & rental services that turn every celebration into unforgettable, shareable moments.
Before transitioning into the creative sector, Amaka built a successful career in the banking sector for 16years, where she developed expertise in business process improvement, client relations, marketing and project leadership; skills that now shape her visionary and structured approach to media production.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication, a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, Master of Arts in Media Production, and an MBA, with certificates from Havard Business School, Vancouver Film School, Stuttgart Media University (Germany), and New York Film Academy.
Above all, Amaka is a wife and mother, balancing family life with a distinguished career in media, communication, and business.
Amaka Samuel-Okon
Communications and Project Manager
Temitope channels her creativity into the film industry, making her mark as a Director, Assistant Director, Producer, Writer, and Actress.
As a member of the Director's Guild of Canada, Ontario District, Temitope has served as an Assistant Director on various notable productions, including the Canadian Screen Award-winning television sitcom "Children Ruin Everything" Season 4, Netflix’s mini-series "The Madness," and the Canadian crime comedy-drama television series "Pretty Hard Cases" Season 3.
In addition to her work behind the camera, she has earned acclaim as a writer, producer, and director with her award-winning short film "Ego," which focuses on conflict resolution, self-reflection, and relationship building. She has also showcased her talent as an actress in a web series and several short films.
Temitope channels her creativity into the film industry, making her mark as a Director, Assistant Director, Producer, Writer, and Actress.
As a member of the Director's Guild of Canada, Ontario District, Temitope has served as an Assistant Director on various notable productions, including the Canadian Screen Award-winning television sitcom "Children Ruin Everything" Season 4, Netflix’s mini-series "The Madness," and the Canadian crime comedy-drama television series "Pretty Hard Cases" Season 3.
In addition to her work behind the camera, she has earned acclaim as a writer, producer, and director with her award-winning short film "Ego," which focuses on conflict resolution, self-reflection, and relationship building. She has also showcased her talent as an actress in a web series and several short films.
Temitope Akinterinwa
Sylvester AGUDDAH is a self-taught contemporary artist with over 30 years of experience, celebrated for his vibrant and expressive works that explore themes of humanity, African culture, nature, and women’s empowerment. Using diverse media such as collage, mixed media, digital painting, and sketches, AGUDDAH infuses his art with rich colors, cultural symbolism, and a strong advocacy for women’s rights and equality.
With more than 50 exhibitions—45 of them solo—AGUDDAH has established himself as a leading voice in African contemporary art. His works have been showcased internationally across Africa, Europe, Canada, and the United States, including notable appearances at Felabration (2020–2022) and recent exhibitions like the UCW Got Talent Art Exhibition and the Metro Vancouver Black Business Expo. His portfolio is available online through sylvesterAGUDDAHarts, where he continues to share his powerful visual narratives with a global audience.
Sylvester AGUDDAH is a self-taught contemporary artist with over 30 years of experience, celebrated for his vibrant and expressive works that explore themes of humanity, African culture, nature, and women’s empowerment. Using diverse media such as collage, mixed media, digital painting, and sketches, AGUDDAH infuses his art with rich colors, cultural symbolism, and a strong advocacy for women’s rights and equality.
With more than 50 exhibitions—45 of them solo—AGUDDAH has established himself as a leading voice in African contemporary art. His works have been showcased internationally across Africa, Europe, Canada, and the United States, including notable appearances at Felabration (2020–2022) and recent exhibitions like the UCW Got Talent Art Exhibition and the Metro Vancouver Black Business Expo. His portfolio is available online through sylvesterAGUDDAHarts, where he continues to share his powerful visual narratives with a global audience.
Sylvester AGUDDAH
Shan George is a passionate filmmaker and storyteller from Cross River State, Nigeria, a graduate of mass communication at the University of Lagos, making waves in Nollywood. With a flair for creativity and innovation, Shan brings unique perspectives to the screen. As a respected voice in the industry, she's known for inspiring fellow creatives and pushing boundaries in storytelling. Currently, she's serving as the National Vice President of the Association of Movie Producers Nigeria.
Some of her notable works include:
- Thorns Of Rose
- Outcast
- Welcome to Nollywood
- Blood Diamonds
- London Forever
- Super Zebraman
- Made in Heaven
- MIGRATION
- FINDING GOODLUCK
Shan George is also the Founder/CEO of Divine Shield Film Academy in Calabar, Nigeria, where she's mentoring young filmmakers across Africa.
