Black Excellence at King's, Past and Present
Meet some of the King's alumni, current students, faculty members and staff who are making a difference at King's, in our communities and in our world.
Casey Akase – Year 2, Specialization in Financial Economics
Casey Akase is an international student from Kigali, Rwanda. She is currently pursuing a Specialization in Financial Economics. Her international background, combined with her leadership experiences in diverse communities, both prior to and during her time at King's, has driven her commitment to actively fostering inclusivity within the King's community. This commitment is exemplified through Casey's roles as an orientation leader, international peer guide, and second-year representative in the African Students Association at Western University. She expresses her gratitude for these organizations, recognizing them as instrumental in creating a "home away from home" for herself and fellow students.
As Casey progresses in her studies in Canada, she aspires to continue to be involved in the community and utilizing her various roles to be a reliable figure that both residential and international students can look up to and turn to for support as necessary. Casey plans to use her degree, professional endeavors, and passion for leadership to establish and promote an environment that not only acknowledges but also values diversity and inclusion.
Sunday Ajak – BA ’23 (Social Justice & Peace Studies and Sociology)
Sunday Ajak says that at his core, he is a merely a writer who loves to bring his thoughts into reality. “Everything I ever written, I have experienced, or have been thoughts that manifested through the amazing people in my life. I have a dream that one day my speeches will change the world, and I live in each moment trying to make that a reality.” On February 13, 2023, Ajak was elected president of Western's University Student Council (USC) for the 2023-4 academic year.
Dishan Anderson – BA ’18 (English Language & Literature and Film Studies)
Dishan Anderson, who was born and raised in the Bahamas, ventured to Canada as an International student. Currently, she works full time in the pharmaceutical sales industry. However, she spends her time participating in film and theatre, whether it is through acting or writing. She hopes to one day venture into the film Industry to pursue acting and writing full time.
Kemesha Campbell (she/her) BSW ’16 (Social Work and Childhood & Social Institutions), MSW
While at King’s, Kemesha Campbell was on the Social Work Students Advisory Council (SWSAC) as the Diversity and Inclusion Representative. After obtaining her BSW, she spent six years working in the child welfare system before moving on to obtain her master’s degree in Social Work at Renison University College at the University of Waterloo.
Campbell’s passions lie in equity, diversity, and inclusion. As an individual with lived transnational and transracial experience of adoption, she is passionate about being involved in promoting the education and awareness of adoption while supporting parents, children, and youth involved in the adoption process. She in currently working at a non-profit adoption agency, where she shares her knowledge and experiences.
Joseph Chakabveyo – BMOS ’20 (Accounting)
Joseph Chakabveyo, also known as DJ Joze, migrated to Canada in 2014. After graduating from Montcalm High School, he attended Fanshawe, then transferred to King’s University College for the accounting program. While in university, he was also DJing in the local bars. Chakabveyo has received numerous DJ awards in London. Currently he works as an accountant during the week and DJs on the weekend.
Leslie Daley – Year 2, Honours Specialization in Finance and Administration, Minor in Analytics and Decision Sciences
Leslie Daley was born in Canada, but spent most of her teen years in Guyana, South America, where she developed a deep appreciation and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is passionate about serving her community, as evidenced by her willingness to volunteer. At King's, she serves as a student ambassador and is a member of the Teaching Assistant Fellowship. In the near future, she aspires to establish King's first-ever Black Student Association, with a focus on building community and promoting inclusivity on campus.
Tasniem El Niwairi – Year 3, Bachelor of Arts Specializing in Psychology
Tasniem El Niwairi possesses an inherent ability for leadership evident in her unwavering commitments on and off campus. During her time here at King’s, Tasniem has fostered a safe and welcoming environment through her roles as an Orientation Leader and secretary of the Black Future Lawyers Association of Western. Tasniem spends her time off of campus working with the City of London to provide a safe environment for children in need and volunteering with the YMCA to help newcomer youth adapt to a new environment while still embracing their roots.
In her final year at King’s, Tasniem plans to work alongside her peers to establish the first Black Student Association on campus with the goal of providing the growing community of black students a safe space to learn and grow together.
As she progresses in her studies, she strives to pursue an education and career in law in hopes of utilizing her education to continue building a safe and accepting environment for all.
Bola Fayemi – BA ’23 (Childhood & Youth Studies and Disability Studies)
A 23-year-old based in London, ON, Bola Fayemi has always been passionate about leadership, and distributing equity to as many people as possible. Fayemi says she will take any opportunity to support those around her. From school based extra-curriculars such as being a programming assistant for the King’s orientation program, to community-based resources such as in foster care, she is always looking to help others. A highlight in her life was interviewing Martin Luther King III as part of the King's University College Students' Council's annual speaker series in 2021. She wishes to pursue a career in policy and/or systemic social change.
Luke Gallat Opoku – Year 5, Honours Specialization in Economics, Minor in Analytics and Decisions Science
Luke has been an active member of student organizations at King’s and at Western. Currently, he is the club coordinator for King’s University College Student Council. This entails organizing “Get Involved Week,” facilitating the integration and ratification of new clubs, and acting as a liaison between club executives and student council. Luke is also involved with Hip-Hop Western and the Italian club “CIAO” at Western. In the past, he was involved with the Black Students Association as well as the African Students Association at Western. This year, Luke was awarded the Pat O’Brien Memorial Award for his involvement at King’s and his dedication as a member of King’s residence staff, a role he continues to hold this year, along with working in the Academic Dean’s Office and working as a teaching assistant. He aspires to work in the field of data analytics after graduation and hopes to obtain his Canadian citizenship in the future.
Nelly Christelle Ladan – BA '18 (Childhood and Social Institutions and Spanish), Bachelor of Social Work
For Nelly, the pursuit of social justice for her brothers and sisters has greatly informed her path. Additionally, growing up in an immigrant household and having to face oppressive practices within various institutions (education, health, childcare, and many more) has inspired her to advocate for the Black community and to bring more awareness about Black issues at every table where she sits. In 2021, she was honoured to sit as a co-chair of an Equity Advisory Board, and to help lead an organization towards more inclusive and accountable practices. In her career, she aspires to use her gifts in languages and relationship-building to form bridges that will allow better access to mental health services for Black folks. She also hopes that her experiences as a Black, Francophone woman — who is also a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend — chasing excellence can inspire others like her in London and beyond.
Moses Latigo Odida – BA ’09 (Political Science and Social Justice & Peace Studies)
Since graduating from King's and Western, where he was an active member in the social justice community, Moses Latigo Odida has remained passionately committed to striving for justice and improving the welfare of marginalized communities around the world. He has always believed that amplifying marginalized voices is a critical step in humanizing the marginalized. While working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ugandan government in 2018, he relied on stories from refugees to develop a framework for educating refugee youth in Uganda. After returning to London, Moses started a video production company called Kigaana Productions, which aims to liberate marginalized communities by telling their stories. You can watch the pilot for his documentary, Down: Canada's Black Caregivers.
Angeer Manguen – Year 3, Childhood and Youth Studies Major
Angeer Manguen is a third-year student working towards a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Childhood and Youth Studies with a minor in Disability Studies. She has a profound passion for leadership, She is dedicated to promoting equity within her community. Beyond her academic pursuits, she actively engages in assisting others, as evidenced by her participation in King's orientation program.
In the upcoming year, Angeer aspires to establish King's first Black Student Association on campus. Collaborating with her peers, she aims to foster a more secure and supportive community for Black students at King's. Looking ahead, she envisions a career in child advocacy and policy.
Roshaydia Morgan (she/her) – BA ’23 (Social Justice & Peace Studies and Gender & Women’s Studies)
Roshaydia Morgan is the president of the 2022-2023 King’s University College Student Council. She is an intersectional feminist and anti-racist advocate, and the co-creator and founder of the BIPOC Student Support Group at King’s. Morgan is a research assistant on anti-racism and decolonization for the Sociology Department as well as an anti-racist mentor; her work is rooted in decolonization and anti-oppression. “Community building is way of dismantling the master’s house.” – Audre Lorde, The Master’s Tools
Chantel Moxley – BA ’23 (Social Justice & Peace Studies and Sociology)
As a biracial person, Chantel Moxley is using her life experiences as a catalyst for her current research on the unique experiences of biracial students in academic institutions. She hopes her work will be an extension of the current work being done at King's to provide a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive campus for all students.
Moxley plans on attending graduate school to earn a master’s degree in social work to continue to fight against systemic and institutional racial injustices and inequities.
Moxley is a mom to four children. When she has any spare time, she is likely to be found on a baseball diamond.
Bridget Ofosu Andam – BA ’23 (Social Justice & Peace Studies)
Bridget Ofosu Andam served within the King's community by working as an executive assistant under the King’s University College Students’ Council (KUCSC). Bridget and her peers ratified a club called Developing Communities Everywhere (DCE) at King's, which focuses on bringing awareness of various global crises, focus groups and raising international development topics. Ofosu Andam continues to serve communities as founder and president of Developing Communities Everywhere Org, which was awarded with a Black Excellence Award from the W.E.A.N. Community Centre.
Chereen Robinson – Year 3, Bachelor of Arts with a Major in History
Chereen aspires to be a teacher, and incorporate diverse perspectives, particularly black lesbian feminist perspectives like those of Audre Lorde, into her pedagogy. She is currently a member of the Pride Project at King's, and the J.M.S. Careless History Club as well. Chereen is also a residence staff member. She was recently recognized for her contributions to a local community project focused on promoting historical awareness and reclaiming Black history among youth in her community. An important part of who she is is her love for stories and storytelling and she hopes to share her passion with future generations and build diverse perspectives into her work.
Dr. Thomas Tieku – Professor, Department of Politics and International Relations
Dr. Tieku is an award-winning author who has written, edited or co-edited five books, and published over 43 refereed book chapters, and journal articles, including The Legon School of International Relations, which won the 2021 British International Studies Association and the Review of International Studies Best Article Prize. A former Director of African Studies at the University of Toronto where he won the Excellence of Teaching Award, Dr. Tieku’s current research, which is supported by a SSHRC Insight Grant, focuses on informality in international organizations and conflict mediation. He has consulted for several organizations including the World Bank Group, the United Nations, the State Department and the Canadian government.
Dr. Tieku received the Hugh Mellon Excellence in Research Award on April 27, 2023.
Jelisa Wickham – BA ’15 (Sociology)
Jelisa Wickham is a business owner. Since graduating from King’s in 2015, she has made it her mission to help as many people as she could through different outlets. She says that growing up as a Black female in London was difficult; she was always the only Black girl in her classes and had to do her best to fit in. A few years ago, she decided to embrace who she was and not be afraid to express herself. In 2021, Wickham founded a business called Crafted Crown because she wanted to create an outlet where individuals from the Black and marginalized communities could express themselves authentically through design. She says, "Don't ever be afraid to be 100% YOU!"
Lilian Wankomo – Year 3, Bachelor of Social Work
After completing her Social Service Work Diploma, Lilian Wankomo enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work degree program at King’s. She is a part of the Social Work Student Association (SWSA) as the 3rd year Equity and Diversity Representative, as well as a member of the Constitution subcommittee, working towards reforming the SWSA Constitution. She is planning to pursue a Master of Social Work degree and to eventually work within social policy and community development. As a first-generation Canadian, Lilian is also passionate about working with BIPOC and diaspora communities.
