Allie is a black artist and mental health activist living in Toronto. She is the owner/designer behind wearable art and performance brand Amplify Collective.   Her work has been featured at the ROM, MMVA's, TIFF and more!

"Being involved at Akin is important to me because I want to continue to have more POC representation in the arts community. The arts community is so important, especially during these challenging times, I want to be able to support artists to unite and keep creating work. Together we will rise!".

Image description: A selfie of Allie, a woman with dyed light green curly hair. She wears a white t-shirt, and a red leopard print sweater over top. She smiles at the camera in front of a wooden fence.

A cultural programmer responsible for assembling and managing an innovative, diverse and attractive year-round arts program and events. My work is focused on shining a light on new possibilities for Black people, those that foster a strong sense of community and all art forms.

I want to build platforms within the community that allow for experiences to be crafted, knowledge to be shared and individuals to continuously grow.

"Joining Akin means being a part of effective change within the arts community and an organization that recognizes the need for change. It's important to me because there is a lack of cultural representation, specifically black people at high levels in cultural institutions and our voices need to be heard."

Image description: A photograph of Chris, a man with round framed glasses, a large black beard and short dreads. He wears a light buttoned up shirt, and a black leather jacket over top. He smiles at the camera in front of an orange filtered background.

I am an arts administrator (and academic in training) with an activist’s heart, excited to be a part of the Akin team. I’ve spent the past four years working in Communications at Tangled Art + Disability, (@tangled_arts) a non-profit Disability arts organization. You can listen to the podcast I produce and host, Crip Times by following Tangled on social ;) . I am currently a Research Assistant at @CrippingMasculinity, a project investigating how Deaf, Mad and Disability-identified men (cis and trans) and non-binary, masculine presenting folks use fashion as a way of enacting their identity. In all of my free time, I am completing my Masters in Communication & Culture at Ryerson.

"Joining the Akin board feels like kismet. Amidst my COVID-19 isolation, quarantine, distancing, I began craving new ways to build community within the Toronto arts sector. With me, I bring years of experience in building accessible and inclusive spaces and experiences, and a desire to do the work. Our access to art is our access to life."

Image description: A selfie of Kristina, a white woman with dyed blonde hair. She wears clear rimmed glasses, black t-shirt, and beaded bracelet. Her right hand rests under her chin as she looks at the camera. 

A nonprofit program coordinator with a master's in Law and Legal Studies. Writes creative nonfiction, obsessed with pop culture and TV, and lives for the tender moments in the NBA. Passionate about social justice and the arts, and advancing equity and inclusion in creative ways. 

 "Why Akin? Because the arts is my home away from home. The arts is where community happens."

Image description: A photograph of Temma, a woman with curly brown hair and sunglasses resting on top of their head. They are wearing a dark green overall suit and is captured mid-laugh in front of a rustic barn with metal sheeting.