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About Bridge Alliance Canada

A connected and inclusive Canada where diverse cultures are celebrated, communities thrive together, and everyone has opportunities to belong, contribute, lead and succeed.

Connection does not happen by itself

Barrie gets more diverse every year. People arrive from across Africa, the Caribbean and the wider world, and they bring culture, skill and enterprise with them. What does not arrive automatically is connection.

Bridge Alliance Canada exists to build that connection on purpose. We celebrate African, Caribbean and Black heritage in public and at full volume, and we use those gatherings to do practical work: putting young people on a stage, getting local businesses in front of customers, and giving newcomers a room where they already know someone.

Our work runs across Barrie and Simcoe County, and it belongs to the people who make it happen: volunteers, vendors, speakers, parents, young people and partners who keep showing up.

See what we run
A Bridge Alliance Canada organiser delivering the welcome address

The people behind it

Oluchi Kalu, Founder of Bridge Alliance Canada

Founder

Oluchi Kalu

Oluchi Kalu is the Founder of Bridge Alliance Canada, a community impact builder and cultural experience curator committed to connecting cultures, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities.

A data professional with over 15 years of experience across financial, manufacturing, and transportation industries, she transforms complex data into actionable insights that support informed decision-making and business performance.

Inspired by her Nigerian-Canadian immigrant experience, Oluchi is passionate about supporting newcomers and entrepreneurs as they navigate cultural adjustment, unfamiliar systems, limited networks, and employment or entrepreneurship barriers.

Through community programs, cultural experiences, newcomer support, business empowerment, and strategic partnerships, she celebrates cultural heritage, amplifies local businesses, creates inclusive spaces for connection and belonging, and helps build stronger communities across Barrie, Simcoe County, and beyond.

Oluchi believes culture is a bridge — connecting people, strengthening belonging, and creating opportunity.

Theresa Ifeonu, Co-Founder of Bridge Alliance Canada

Co-Founder

Theresa Ifeonu

Theresa Ifeonu is an IT professional, author, and community builder with a deep commitment to helping women grow with clarity, purpose, and confidence. With a background in cybersecurity and systems administration, she brings structure and insight into every space she leads.

She is the author of Bible Wives, a reflective work that draws timeless lessons from the lives of women in Scripture, and Wuggly Buggly and the Foxes, a creative story for young readers that blends imagination with meaningful life themes.

As co-founder of the SheRise Network Canada, Theresa is building a space where women can connect, discover themselves, and step boldly into who they are becoming. Her work sits at the intersection of faith, personal growth, and intentional living, with a focus on helping women ask the right questions and live with purpose.

Board of Directors

Amanda Harrison, Director at Bridge Alliance Canada

Director

Amanda Harrison

As a Barrie-based educator and advocate, Amanda Harrison believes that when we celebrate heritage, we strengthen the very fabric of our community. Joining the Board of Directors at Bridge Alliance Canada is a natural extension of her commitment to inclusion, youth leadership, and fostering spaces where everyone has a place.

Rooted in the core mission of uniting cultures, supporting local businesses, and building resilient communities, Amanda strives to create environments where diverse voices are honoured. She is thrilled to contribute her professional background in education, program development, and strategic leadership to support the Alliance’s vital work across Simcoe County — ensuring that cultural celebration, economic empowerment, and community belonging go hand in hand.

Maria Carolina Ojeda, Director at Bridge Alliance Canada

Director

Maria Carolina Ojeda

Maria Carolina Ojeda is a Venezuelan-Canadian financial professional, entrepreneur, and community leader who has called Canada home for 20 years. With a background in Architecture, she entered the financial industry in 2016 while raising two young boys and overcoming significant financial challenges.

Today, Maria is debt-free and leads a growing financial services business in Etobicoke, Ontario, alongside a team of 26 licensed agents. Recognized for her leadership, financial literacy, inclusion, and community impact, she is passionate about empowering Canadian families, immigrants, and women through financial education and opportunity.

Grounded in faith, Maria believes her purpose is to serve, lead, and help others build stronger financial futures and lasting legacies.

Our mission

To build bridges across cultures and communities by celebrating African, Caribbean and Black heritage, fostering inclusion and belonging, empowering youth and entrepreneurs, and creating opportunities for cultural exchange, leadership, economic growth and meaningful community connection across Canada.

Our vision

A connected and inclusive Canada where diverse cultures are celebrated, communities thrive together, and everyone has opportunities to belong, contribute, lead and succeed.

What we hold to

Nine values, and each one is a test we can be held to.

Unity

Building bridges that bring people, cultures and communities together.

Inclusion and belonging

Creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels respected, valued and connected.

Cultural pride

Celebrating, preserving and sharing African, Caribbean, Black and diverse cultural heritage.

Newcomer empowerment and integration

Supporting newcomers as they navigate life in Canada, build meaningful connections, access opportunities and develop a strong sense of belonging.

Empowerment

Equipping youth, families, entrepreneurs and community members with opportunities, knowledge and resources to thrive.

Collaboration

Working with communities, organisations, businesses and institutions to create greater collective impact.

Equity

Promoting fair access to opportunities, resources and representation.

Leadership

Inspiring people, especially youth and newcomers, to participate, lead and create positive change.

Community impact

Creating meaningful and sustainable programmes that strengthen individuals, families and communities across Canada.

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Programme areas
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Core values

There is room for you here

Volunteer, partner, bring a stall, or give. Tell us what you have and we will find the right place for it.

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