EDAFE OKPORO is the author of the compelling book "ASYLUM: A Memoir and Manifesto," and founder of Refuge America. He brings a deep personal commitment to his work with refugees. Born in Nigeria, Edafe faced the harsh reality of persecution and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in his homeland. Seeking safety and freedom, he sought refuge in the United States, where he has become a passionate advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and refugees. Edafe's personal experiences as a refugee and his unwavering commitment to equality and justice have made him a prominent voice in the fight for a more inclusive and compassionate world. Through his writing and activism, he continues to inspire and drive positive change.

With a bachelor's degree from Enugu State University and a master's degree in HR Management from NYU, Edafe is an accomplished Inclusion and Diversity, Talent & Organization, and Change Transformation Leader. Based in New York City, he also works as a Talent and Organization Consultant.

Amara James Aja (Edafe) is a New York City based actor and teaching artist. His credits include: Madam Secretary (CBS), Search Party (MAX), The White Devil (Red Bull Theatre), Tender Napalm (HERE Arts Center), The Tempest in concert (Oregon Symphony), The West End (Cincinnati Playhouse), In the Heat of the Night (Barter Theatre), and The Blameless (The Old Globe). He received his B.A. in Government from Cornell University and his MFA from the University of San Diego/ Old Globe Theatre. Amara was born in Montreal to Nigerian parents and grew up in New York City. He is a proud member of Actor's Equity and SAG-AFTRA.

NJ AGWUNA (she/her) is a director of stage and screen. She has worked on a national and international scale exploring classic text, developing new work, devising theatrical experiences through mythos and spectacle.She approaches her work with curiosity and wonder, believing that theatre can not only heal us, but show us all the possibilities of the world that we inhabit. She’s the 2022 recipient of the SCDF Barbara Whitman Award and Assistant Directing Moulin Rouge on Broadway & the North American Tour. Selected Credits: Bulrusher by Eisa Davis (Opera Premiere, West Edge Opera), A Small Light (NatGeoTV and Disney+, shadow director), Love All by Anna Deavere Smith (NY Workshop Assoc. Director),7 Minutes by Stefano Massini (HERE Arts), Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage (Assoc. Director, Second Stage), The Magic Flute (Glimmerglass Festival), Till: A Musical (won Best Direction), Freedom Train (TWUSA National Tour ‘18, ‘19), What She Found (won Best Drama at FRIGID). She is a Drama League alum and an associate writer/teaching artist with Tectonic. Directing MFA, Columbia University; SDC associate. www.njagwuna.com

GBENGA AKINNAGBE can currently be seen in the FX series THE OLD MAN, playing the series regular role of ‘Julian’ opposite Jeff Bridges, and in a major arc as ‘Ron Samuel Jenkins’ on season 3 of the Starz hit series POWER BOOK II: GHOST. He recently shot the feature THE THICKET opposite Juliette Lewis and Peter Dinklage, based on the critically acclaimed novel by Joe R. Lansdale. He will next be seen in two independent features: FAST CHARLIE with director Phillip Noyce and BLACK FLIES opposite Sean Penn and Tye Sheridan, which just premiered at Cannes.  Gbenga was previously seen starring in the Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park production of MERRY WIVES, which also aired on PBS.  He recurred as ‘Mook’ in the Hulu series WU-TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA and starred as ‘Jordan’ in Amazon’s anthology series MODERN LOVE opposite Zoe Chao. Gbenga received rave reviews for his performance of ‘Tom Robinson’ in his year-long Broadway debut of Aaron Sorkin’s hit adaptation of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD opposite Jeff Daniels and was honored with a Theatre World Award.   Gbenga’s career defining turn as ‘Chris Partlow’ in THE WIRE led to memorable roles on hit shows including 24, FBI: MOST WANTED, THE DEUCE, LIVE ANOTHER DAY, BARBERSHOP, THE FOLLOWING, NURSE JACKIE, and THE GOOD WIFE.  His extensive film credits include THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR, STARBRIGHT, ALL THE DEVIL’S MEN, and DC NOIR (which he also co-directed), DETROIT, EGG, CROWN HEIGHTS, DETOUR, INDEPENDENCE DAY 2, FORT BLISS, MALL, BIG WORDS, OVERNIGHT, LOTTERY TICKET, EDGE OF DARKNESS, THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123, and THE SAVAGES.  Additional theater credits include Fulfillment and Lower Ninth at The Flea, The Thin Place at The Intiman, and A View from 151st Street at The Public.  Gbenga was born in Washington, D.C. to Nigerian parents and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. He is the founder and managing director of Liberated People, a social justice lifestyle brand.  

RAZ GOLDEN is a director of theatre and film. His work employs classical texts and new stories to dissect history, performance, and liminality, while continually centering people of color. He has directed and developed work with Second Stage, Juilliard, the National Queer Theatre, Mercury Store, Public Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, NYU Tisch, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. He is a NYTW 2050 Fellow, Drama League 2019 Fellow, a member of Roundabout Directors Group Cohort 2 and a founding member of the Fled Collective. As a filmmaker he has collaborated on numerous projects with the creative agency Adventure We Can and in 2021 on Eisa Davis’ Afrofemononomy.

Directing: Orestes (Purchase), How to Catch Creation (Juilliard), Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues (Shakespeare & Company), We Are Proud to Present… (Purchase), The Mountaintop by Katori Hall (Weston Theatre Company), Queen of the Night, a new play by travis tate (Dorset Theatre Festival), Macbeth, (HVSF), Associate Directing: Good Night Oscar (dir. Lisa Peterson), Macbeth (dir. Sam Gold)