Our Mandate
To provide a performative arts space for predominantly to African, people of African descent and/or black identifying individuals.
To offer paid opportunities for emerging and established artists from these communities.
Our Executive Team
Vanessa Jev
Artistic Director
Meet Vanessa Jev the Artistic Director of Kwetu and one of our founding members! Vanessa has been directing and acting in plays in Toronto for many years and is very excited to be back in the city to not only create and showcase new theatre shows, but to also help foster the growth of new emerging actors and help them find their place on the Canadian stage!
Lisean Henry
Music Director/Producer
Meet Lisean Henry our Executive Music Director/Producer and founding member! Lisean has been performing on stage for several years. She is a vocal coach, performance coach and choir director. Lisean is an amazingly multifaceted performer and is excited to bring her talents to Kwetu to help emerging and established actors find their voice on the stage.
Celestine Nema
Financial Director/Producer
Meet Celestine Nema our co-Executive Financial Director and founding member! Celestine is a community organizer with a passion for youth development and the arts. She has worked on theatre productions since her days as a student as a Volunteer, a stage manager and a producer. She is now looking forward to creating more opportunities for young performance artists through Kwetu.
Brunelle Kama
Financial Director
Meet Brunelle Kama our co-Executive Financial Director. She’s a lover of technology and pursued her post secondary studies in Computer Science at the University of Toronto. During her studies, Brunelle participated in student life, particularly being Financial Director of the Black Student Association for two straight years. She took pride in being part of an organization aiming on fostering a community amongst Black, African-Canadian, Afro-Caribbean and all self-identifying Black students on campus. On a day off, you can find her cycling along trail or at home binging YouTube.
Our Board of Directors
Tessa Shirley
Chairperson
Meet our Chairperson, Tessa Shirley! Tessa brings her knowledge and experience as an administrator and conference manager as well as her love of the arts to the Kwetu boardroom. “I am delighted to be part of an aspiring company of young professionals that promises to inspire our youth and audiences alike.”
Sandrina N
Secretary
Meet Sandrina, the Secretary of the board! Healthcare worker by day, Sandrina recognizes the healing properties of art, and the power of theatre in bringing people together around issues that unite us. Sandrina is excited to be a part of a company that is changing the world of theatre, and to lend her support in bringing about this magnificent change.
Onamie Sukhai
General Member
Meet Onamie Sukhai, our general member of the board. Onamie is a budding film director, photographer and interpreter of the stars. They are passionate about telling stories of the Caribbean Diaspora and queer BIPOC. They have served and advocated for the Caribbean community during their time as a student. They are very excited to bring their drive for creative storytelling to Kwetu.