Theme: Beyond the tipping point

It takes one domino to set off a series of chain reactions. One domino, one idea, one event, one setback, one experience that could change the world forever. We have all experienced a tipping point when something either comes together or it all falls apart. The tipping point may be the moment of truth but it all comes down to what happens after. What comes beyond a tipping point?

“The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behaviour crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.”

- Malcolm Gladwell

Reliance Theatre
520 East 1st Avenue
Ground
Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 0H2
Canada

JeanPaul Kamand

Founder & CEO

Jean-Paul Kamand was born and raised in Congo; he relocated to Canada in 1993 with his family. He holds a BA in Sociology from Simon Fraser University and is passionate about environmental, social responsibility, and community engagement. His commitment to his causes has impacted his businesses: he is the owner of a local cleaning service that employs Individuals With All Abilities. He has created a fully accessible storm drain filtration system that aims to address the pollution caused by storm drain waste. Jean-Paul is committed to advancing inclusive employment opportunities for Individuals With All Abilities. He is a proud resident of British Columbia and aims to impact his community and beyond positively.

Lama Mugabo

Founding Director

Lama Mugabo is a Community Planner with a passion for food security, climate change and economic development. In 2005, Mugabo co-founded BBR – Building Bridges with Rwanda, a non-profit organization designed to create a platform for collaboration between international volunteers and their Rwandan counterparts who are rebuilding their society. In 2016, Lama is the founding director of Hogan’s Alley Society to promote the interests of people of African descent and revitalize Vancouver’s only Black neighbourhood destroyed by the City’s urban renewal policy in 1972. Lama is also an Associate at Simon Fraser University’s Institute for Diaspora Research ad Engagement. He believes that members of the African diaspora have the agency to build communities where they live and communities that gave them birth.

Michelle Yao

Designer, Co-founder

Michelle works as a designer in tech by day, and the founder for her own startup, alumi.design, by night. But most importantly, she was (and still is) a multimedia & electronic artist wannabe. As a person who's always passionate and curious about art & design, Michelle loves to try out different things and experiment around ideas. And she found the most important lesson she's learnt from her electronic and media art background is to have the courage to experiment, fail, and try again.

Najah Adreak

Artist, Creative Director

Dr. Najah Adreak is an aspiring heart surgeon and clinical researcher with a Master of Science in Surgery degree from UBC. She earned her medical degree from Tripoli University and trained in the Cardiac Surgery residency program in Libya before moving to Canada for further education and training. Najah is the Trainee Representative for the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance and is an active member of the education and training working group. She advocates for cardiovascular health and treatment, especially for underserved women patients, and has led the western committee for the 2021-2022 Wear Red Canada campaign. Currently, she is a study coordinator with the Harris Research Team at BC Children’s Hospital, a place that combines her passion for congenital heart disease, research, heart anatomy and her love for working with kids.

Thomas Kim

Co-founder

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