The Hamilton Branch of the Canadian International Council cordially invites you to a special virtual conversation with Leo Nupolu Johnson, Executive Director of Empowerment Squared. Leo spent eight years in refugee camps in Ivory Coast and Ghana, having fled from civil war in his native Liberia. In 2006, he resettled in Canada as a government-assisted refugee.

In 2007, Leo founded CURE (Care for Underprivileged and Refugee Empowerment), a charitable organization committed to education and overcoming conflict, particularly within immigrant, refugee and similar underprivileged communities. The organization became Empowerment Squared in 2009 to better reflect the diversity of its work and mission, with Leo continuing in the role of Executive Director. Under Leo’s leadership, the organization has assisted over 1500 newcomer youth and families with settling in Canada, many of whom are now giving back to their community.

The organization has also made significant progress towards opening the groundbreaking Liberian Learning Center, an innovation hub that will house the only public library in the West African Nation of Liberia by harnessing the power of youth, and building a nation beyond aid.

Leo graduated with a degree in political science from McMaster University in 2011, but not before receiving the Albert Lager Prize for Student Initiative and earning a spot as a semi-finalist in CBC’s Next Great Prime Minister Competition. He’s also received the YMCA Peace Medal, Gandhi Peace Award, World Citizenship Award from the City of Hamilton and has been recognized among the top 75 immigrants in Canada – and he’s been named one of the Hamilton Spectator’s Top 40 under 40.

Date & Time: February 24 from 4:30p.m. – 5:45p.m. via Zoom
Register at: https://bit.ly/36B2tKh