Team

Tasha Clarke, RN, BSN

Co-Founder | Steering Committee, BCCA

Tasha Clarke is a Board Director of The Unity Centre Association for Black Cultures, a candidate for a Master of Arts in Health Leadership at Royal Roads University, and an acute care Registered Nurse. Driven by her experiences growing up a second-generation Black Canadian in British Columbia, she co-founded BCCA after recognizing the lack of support systems available to Black and racialized youth in the province’s education system. As Co-Founder and member of the Steering Committee, Tasha aims to foster safe, engaging, and inclusive communities that will afford Black and racialized youth the opportunities to realize their intrinsic potential to thrive.

Brian Seremba, BSc

Co-Founder | Operations Manager | Steering Committee, BCCA

Brian Seremba holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with International Business from the Royal Holloway, University of London. He is Director of Grants at the Junior Black Achievement Awards, former board member of Umoja Compassion Society and was a founding team member at Federation of Black Canadians serving time as Programs (later Product) Manager overseeing a diverse portfolio of projects, programs and membership products. Brian’s experiences growing up in London, UK distinctly shaped his understanding of the need for safe, inclusive school experiences and, after seeing the lack of action and support with the Lord Byng incident, he was driven to co-found BCCA in 2019. Through community support and initiatives he hopes to continue working within programming towards bridging an inclusive education institution that is fair and representative to all.

Alicia Willliams, J.D., BSc

Steering Committee | Legal and Finance | BCCA

Alicia Williams, BSc, J.D., approaches all of her work with a profound commitment to DEI, ESG, and corporate sustainability.  As a Governance Associate for WATSON Advisors Inc., Alicia advises board directors on board effectiveness and the board’s oversight of human resources, legal and financial matters. As CFO at ABI Wellness, Alicia has managed investor relations, performed business and asset valuations, negotiated mergers and acquisitions, facilitated capital raises, developed proformas (financial forecasts), and managed financial reporting and compliance in accordance with the SEC and GAAP. As a lawyer, and the corporate secretary for a publicly traded company, Alicia has drafted and negotiated contracts, ensured compliance with government regulations, and managed all aspects of board governance — including policy, administration, and reporting.

Markiel Simpson

Steering Committee | Stakeholder Relations| BCCA

Markiel Simpson is a community advocate competent and persuasive communicator who can ensure the voices of the oppressed are heard by those in positions of power. Whether it’s pushing for changes in our education system, empowering the next generation of young people to pursue leadership roles, or standing in solidarity with other marginalized groups, Markiel is an impact on our local community and helped showcase the serious issues of our times across the country. Markiel is a deep working member of our community and experts from across the country to continue to push for positive systemic change in BC far and wide. 

Sophia Yaa Akuffo Minkah-Premo

Program and Volunteer Coordinator | Staff, BCCA

Sophia is a passionate individual who is interested in the start-up, tech, non-profit and development spaces. She was formerly a Project Manager at a tech non-profit and cybersecurity firm in USA and Germany respectively. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gender Studies, Social Justice and Economics from The University of British Columbia, Canada and is currently finishing her LLM at the University of Law, UK. Sophia has over 2 years’ experience in project management and social policy research work. She also served as a Research Associate at the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs on a project dubbed: Transformative Memory Partnership Digital Archive Project Planning.

Sarah Grewar, CPHR

HR Business Partner | Staff, BCCA

Hi, I’m Sarah – I’m a friendly, warmhearted, and dedicated HR/People Ops professional! I have always had a passion for people, both personally and professionally, and an interest in understanding what truly supports them to thrive within organizations. From this curiosity, I was inspired to pursue a career in the people space. I have recently obtained my Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation, and plan to work toward an SHRM-CP certification in future.

Lawrence Liu

Program & Grants Coordinator | Staff, BCCA

Lawrence (he/him) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, working towards a BA degree with an interdisciplinary major in psychology and political science. He has significant experience managing a multi-million-dollar non-profit organization and is passionate about non-profit work. During his time at UBC, he was involved in numerous student clubs and organizations such as the Hong Kong Student’s Association and the UBC Alma Mater Society. Lawrence always strives to leave a positive impact on the communities and organizations he works with. He is excited about the opportunity to find long-term partners and sponsorships to help further BCCA’s mission and programs.

Mariah Mussassa

Administrative Assistant | Staff, BCCA

Mariah’s bio is pending.

Adam Ruddar

Assistant Professor | Co-founder, BCCA

Adam Rudder is an Assistant Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Vancouver Campus, where he serves as the Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies (BAIS) within the School of Humanities. With a strong commitment to social justice, Adam has dedicated his academic career to exploring the intersections of race, identity, and the Black Canadian experience. His research and advocacy focus on addressing systemic racism, fostering inclusive education, and empowering marginalized communities.

At BC Community Alliance, Adam plays a crucial role in supporting initiatives aimed at dismantling systemic barriers and advocating for Black representation across sectors. His deep involvement in both academia and community development makes him a vital contributor to BCCA’s mission of fostering equity and creating opportunities for Black youth in British Columbia.

Marie Tate

Casting Director | Co-founder, BCCA

Marie Tate is an accomplished Casting Director with over 35 years of experience in the entertainment industry, known for her commitment to increasing diversity in film. As a key advocate for representation, she has worked on a wide array of productions, ensuring that underrepresented voices are seen and heard. At BC Community Alliance, Marie leverages her industry expertise to support the organization’s initiatives aimed at empowering Black youth and fostering inclusivity in the arts. Marie is a member of IATSE 891 and other major industry associations.