CanAfro Research Institute (aka CanAfro Institute) is a multidisciplinary research and action organization that drives data and evidence-based programs and projects through mentorship, education, and community programs, serving as a dynamic "Think-Do" institute primarily in the Kitchener-Waterloo region of Ontario, Canada. In other words, CanAfro prioritizes community-driven research by and for equity-seeking Black populations and other underserved groups, developing tailored programs and initiatives.
With a broader goal of expanding with an international reach, the Institute primarily focuses on Black-identifying people in the region and the global African diaspora, promoting innovative solutions and empowering initiatives that address the unique challenges and opportunities facing people of African descent.
Since 2019, we have evolved into various organizational formats and including recently registering as a federal non-profit, incorporated and registered with the Federal government and Canadian Revenue Agency.
Vision
Values
Empowerment, Equity and Justice, collaboration and community-centeredness
OUR TEAM
The founding team as well as the incoming members of the growing network are professionals with long years of experience in some of the popular international universities, hospitals, research centers, industries and non-governmental organizations in the world. The majority of us are currently based in Canada or the U.S.A.
The team also has an experience working as researchers and consultants with several international organizations.
Tedla Desta, PhD
Tedla has an interdisciplinary background with a BA in Media and Communications, MA in Development Studies and a PhD in Peace and Reconciliation Studies. He also completed several postdocs, his most recent Postdoc from Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada. Previously, he completed a postdoc in conflict resolution and mediation at Maynooth University; Africa, Innovation and Technology at Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa; Fellowship in Digitalization at the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. He had worked at Queen's University, Kingston and the University of Toronto, Canada. His articles appeared in various academic journals including his latest book published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. He has also worked as a consultant with various international development and communications-focused organizations and has been actively involved in various social justice activism scenes. . Currently, he works as a researcher with a due diligence firm in Toronto and has also been an Adjunct Lecturer at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada.
Professor Mammo Muchie
Scientific Research Advisor
Professor Mammo Muchie is one of Africa's prominent scholars with significant national and international multidisciplinary influence. He has published over 400 books, research papers and reports. Currently, he holds the position of DST-NRF research chair in Innovation Studies at the Faculty of Management Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, and serves as a Senior Research Associate at the TMD Centre of Oxford University, UK. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Professor at several universities in Ethiopia, China, the USA, and Europe. Professor Muchie completed his undergraduate degree at Columbia University in New York, USA in 1974, and earned his MPhil and DPhil in Science, Technology, and Innovation for Development (STI&D) from the University of Sussex, UK. He is the founder and editor of several academic journals. A committed Pan-Africanist, Professor Muchie aims to help young people succeed, flourish, and become creative and innovative job creators and social entrepreneurs. Read more here
Roisin Smith, PhD
Roisin worked with European and international non-governmental institutions and universities. She had also taught at various universities. She has also travelled extensively and volunteered with various non-profit organizations.
Yabi Teshome, LLM
Co-founder and International Advisor
Yabi holds LLM in Human Rights Law. After graduation she worked as a legal consultant and researcher with various local and international organization with a specialty in gender, digital rights and tourism. She is currently a consultant with a French communications company in Africa. She is supports our international expansion.
Million S.
Data Supervision and Quality Advisor
Million has an extensive experience working on various research projects in Africa. With background in Computer Science, he has been part of research and consultancy work on health, socio-economic issues and market studies. He has participated with a very relentless dedication & commitment on market researches with huge multi-national companies to figure out their market share & position. Million has also an experience in research supervision including the project supervision of an extensive 19 cities research.
Board of Directors.
Simret K. Gembere, MSAcc
Board Financial Advisor and Director
An accountant by training with a global experience in the financial sector and non-profit faith-based organizations, Simret is an asset to the team and the board of directors.
Bersabeh Nadew
Board Secretary
Bersabeh brings years of experience in the public health sector in the Waterloo region and as board member and secretary of faith-based organizations in the same region. Her community-level connections and contributions as well as the insights she brings from more than a decade experience enriches our board and organization immensely.
Chuck Chukwujindu, MBA, CPA
Chuck has extensive experience spanning three countries across three continents: Nigeria, Ireland, and Canada. He is currently focused on the latest developments in Business Intelligence and Data Analysis. Based in Calgary, Canada, he supports the community outside of his formal work. A CPA, he earned an MBA in Business Intelligence and Data Analysis from the University of Calgary.