MEET OUR TEAM
Tolulope Olalekan
Chair & Founder
Tolulope Olalekan serves as the Chair of Africans Arise. Her leadership is rooted in a deep commitment to social justice, extensive experience in community engagement, and strong business acumen, all of which she leverages to serve the Black African community in Sweden and beyond.
With over 12 years of demonstrated success in sustainable practices, community engagement, and stakeholder management, Tolu brings a wealth of experience. Currently a Community Stakeholder Mapping Consultant for the European AIDS Treatment Group, she identifies key stakeholders, builds strategic partnerships, and mobilizes collective action to address systemic inequalities. Her entrepreneurial background as Founder and CEO of a thriving sustainable furnishing design firm provides a unique perspective on the intersection of sustainable business practices and social justice.
Tolu holds a Master’s in Business and Economics from Uppsala University, Sweden. This academic foundation, combined with her practical experience, gives her a comprehensive understanding of sustainability’s economic, social, and environmental dimensions, developing strategies to promote DEI within organizations and communities.
A passionate advocate against systemic racism, Tolu advocates for marginalized communities, building strategic partnerships across Sweden and internationally. Her deep understanding of Afrophobia and anti-Black racism informs her strategic vision for Africans Arise, ensuring impactful and sustainable efforts toward dignity and respect for all.
Connect with Tolulope Olalekan: Linkedin profile
Abimbola Ajomale
General Secretary & Co-founder
Abimbola Ajomale serves as the General Secretary of Africans Arise. With a deep commitment to social justice and systemic change, Abimbola works to challenge racial injustices, foster community empowerment, and advocate for policies that create equitable opportunities for Black Africans in Sweden and beyond.
With over 15 years of demonstrated success in public health, Abimbola has led initiatives in HIV prevention, SRHR, health literacy, and stigma reduction. He currently serves as a Community Health Specialist with Noaks Ark Mosaik, Malmö, and also engages with regional health authorities, and global organizations, focusing on community engagement, HIV response, and health policy advocacy.
A Medical Doctor (MD) with postgraduate training, Abimbola holds an MPH, an MMSc from Lund University, and certifications in clinical trials, specializing in public health and clinical research.
As a leader, advocate, and researcher, Abimbola envisions Africans Arise as a driving force for racial justice and sustainable social change, ensuring that Black Africans are empowered, heard, and protected in all spheres of society.
Connect with Abimbola Ajomale: LinkedIn profile
Ibado Elmi
Treasurer
Ibado Elmi serves as the Treasurer of Africans Arise. As a passionate advocate for racial justice and migrant rights, she works to challenge systemic inequalities and empower Black Africans in Sweden through community-led initiatives, policy advocacy, and grassroots mobilization.
With over a decade of demonstrated success in community engagement, Ibado has dedicated her career to supporting marginalized populations, particularly migrant communities. She currently leads the HIV response at Noaks Ark Mosaik in Malmö, spearheading efforts to integrate faith-based engagement into HIV prevention and care. Her work with the HIV & Faith Project places her at the forefront of multi-level interventions addressing stigma, misinformation, and healthcare access gaps within migrant communities.
Ibado holds a Bachelor’s degree in Youth and Community Studies from the University of Bedfordshire, UK, and she’s an expert in community entry and strategic intervention planning. Her ability to build trust, mobilize resources, and implement culturally responsive programs has made her a key figure in social impact and public health initiatives.
Her unwavering commitment to tackling Afrophobia, anti-Black racism, and health inequities drives her work in Africans Arise. Whether in public health or social justice, Ibado’s leadership ensures that marginalized voices are heard, policies are inclusive, and communities are strengthened.
Connect with Ibado Elmi: LinkedIn profile
Babs Kunle
Outreach & Communications Manager
Babs is a Project Coordinator and Communication Strategist with over 15 years of experience in academia, international relations, and stakeholder engagement. He specializes in strategic communication, public relations, social media management, and outreach, helping institutions build strong partnerships and increase visibility. Currently employed at a top 100 globally ranked university where he leads multidisciplinary research projects, coordinates EU-funded initiatives, and develops marketing and recruitment strategies to strengthen engagement, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. His expertise in content creation, social media strategy, and brand positioning ensures clear and impactful communication across diverse audiences.
Beyond academia, Babs has worked in marketing, project management, and business development across Sweden, England, and Nigeria and has led a number of community-focused outreach campaigns in the areas of health, wellness and cultural appreciation.
With a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Organization for Sustainability, he combines communication expertise with sustainability-focused leadership, bridging academia, industry, and community efforts to drive meaningful change. Passionate about community-building and cultural initiatives, Babs envisions using creative dance and art expression to foster inclusion in Africans Arise.
Connect woth Babs Kunle: Linkedin Profile