OLU ALAKE | Chief Executive Officer

Olu brings significant third-sector experience to The Africa Centre, having previously served as CEO at The Peel Institute. He has previously held senior management positions in various Beyond-Profit organisations, including London Marathon Foundation, Buttle UK, Equality & Human Rights Commission and Arts Council England. His responsibilities in these roles have included business transformation, grants management, strategic leadership, and organisational development. Olu is a founder member and President Emeritus of 100 Black Men of London and also a Trustee of The Reader Organisation.

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SARAH CLARK | Chief Finance & Operations Officer

With over 20 years of experience in finance and operations, Sarah heads up these activities for The Africa Centre. After working in the visual effects software industry for 11 years Sarah moved to the voluntary sector in 2011 and has successfully led finance, special projects, and fundraising activities at local and national levels. Sarah is passionate about the Africa Centre being an inspiring space that shares and celebrates the continent’s past, present, and future and its diaspora.

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JESSICA THOMAS | Finance & Operations Manager

Jessica oversees the finance and operations for The Africa Centre. After working in the Technology and Retail industry for many years Jessica joined The Africa Centre to support its goals and help support the African diaspora. Outside of work, Jessica is passionate about Music, Film, and Technology.

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CHIKE AZUONYE | Venue & Events Officer

Chike has over 25 years of experience in administration, facilities management, and venue sales. He is responsible for managing our facilities and overseeing both community and corporate venue hires and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Chike is passionate about Africa and its global diaspora. His association with the Centre goes back to the late 80s when he first got involved as a volunteer. He is also a gifted visual artist whose work has been exhibited both locally and abroad. He is an active member of several sub-committees.

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Fadil Elobeid | Director of Programmes

Fadil is the Director of Programmes at the Africa Centre, where he oversees strategic delivery across the Centre's activities, including the UK-Kenya Season of Culture, the Beyond Berlin project and others. He is also responsible for coordinating marketing & communications, community engagement, and partnership development. He has previously worked at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at LSE, Africa Research Institute, Royal African Society and SOAS, University of London. He is currently undertaking a part-time MSc in Empires, Colonialism & Globalisation at LSE.

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VERONIQUE BELINGA | Programme Coordinator

Vee is a cultural and memory worker based in London. They are responsible for coordinating the Chakula programme – a series of events, workshops, and dialogues geared towards supporting and empowering Black and African LGBTQ+ communities. For them, this programme at the Africa Centre is the opportunity to grow in knowledge about LGBTQ+ liberation and rights-based movements in Africa and its diaspora, resource global solidarity networks, and build spaces for joy, safety, and resilience. Vee is also a music lover and spends their free time playing music and doing radio.

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