Something about the village
that works to support BFSA.

Anan Xola Lololi is the Executive Director of the Black Food Sovereignty Alliance. He is a Food Policy Fellow in the School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation (“SPPDI”) at the Faculty of Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). He is one of the founders and former Executive Director of AfriCan FoodBasket (1995-2021), a position he held for 26 years, promoting Black Food Sovereignty and Food Justice in Toronto, North America, and the Caribbean.

Anan has a master’s degree in environmental studies from York University, a diploma in business administration from Centennial College, and an Honorary Bachelor of Commerce (Culinary Management) degree from George Brown College Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Anan is also a Research Associate at the TMU Centre for Studies in Food Security and a Senior Advisor for the Atlanta Black Food Sovereignty Collective.

He was a member of the City of Toronto Food Policy Council, a Board member of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, and a former food policy consultant of the Detroit Black Food Sovereignty Network.

STAFF

Lesa Medhin

Programs Administration Manager

Lesa Medhin is a respected strategist, grant writer, and facilitator with nearly 20 years of experience supporting nonprofits and grassroots organizations, and initiatives across Canada and Jamaica. She specializes in grant and proposal development, good governance, strategic leadership, and organizational development helping to equip teams with the tools to strengthen accountability, grow impact, and lead change rooted in equity and sustainability.

Roushelle Reign

Outreach Coordinator

Roushelle Reign is a multi-hyphenate, award-winning creative, brand storyteller, and founder of Studio ORÏ fragrance. With over a decade of experience, she’s been called the Brand Whisperer for her ability to translate identity into presence, helping founders and creators craft brands that resonate deeply and scale intentionally. Her work reflects a refinery for visionary brands, where aesthetics meet intention and strategy becomes story.

Queen Selassie

Food Assessment Research Assistant

Queen Sleassie is a recent graduate from Centennial College with a diploma in Business Admin Marketing. She is passionate about learning new things—especially what’s happening in our
Black communities—and finding ways to make a positive impact. At the Black Food Sovereignty Alliance, she gets to use her creativity to create digital content that highlights and celebrates the work of Black farmers, growers, and food leaders.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Arsema Tsehaie Berhane

Board Chair

A global citizen born in Asmara-Eritrea, Arsema’s passion lies in her commitment to people-centered, process-driven community development which she identifies as the intersection of identity, civic action and sustainable economic opportunity. With love and integrity, she advocates for and contributes to creating opportunities for marginalized populations and facilitating access to fundamental resources and support. Using an asset based, equity framework, Arsema has worked closely with people of diverse backgrounds and with varying realities to collectively affect systemic change at the policy and grassroots levels.

Cecile Peterkin

Board Member

Cecile is the Founder & Chief Transformation Strategist at the Leadership Coaching Centre. She has over 22 years of expertise as a distinguished confidence coach & mentor, helping 1,000+ professionals & aspiring entrepreneurs unleash their unique strengths, pivot with purpose & craft legacy careers. Cecile doesn’t only focus on her own career as a coach and mentor. She actively volunteers in various community programs and activities and serves on Nonprofit Boards. She willingly offers free workshops, which are aimed at guiding youth in at-risk communities. She is also a mentor to many young adults in the Toronto area.

Sheldomar Elliott

Board Member

Sheldomar believes communities thrive when they hold the power to shape their own futures. As a food and environmental justice advocate, he is passionate about creating spaces where BIPOC voices lead in reclaiming food sovereignty, land justice, and the right to heal. His work centres on community power through advancing Black Food Sovereignty in Toronto, supporting youth-led food systems change, and exploring how land connects us to culture and resilience. He aims to bridge generations, traditions, and visions for a more just world.