Governance and Visibility at Ribbon Rouge Foundation

with Adaku Uju

Adaku Uju is a Barrister and Solicitor in Alberta, Canada. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and her Master of Laws (LLM) from the prestigious Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, Toronto, Ontario.

Adaku is the Principal of Cynel Law Office and Professional Corporation, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with a range of Law practice areas. She is also the Executive Director of the Afri-Cynel Humanitarian Organization and the Edmonton African Dance Festival. Adaku was excited to come on board with Ribbon Rouge. This organization does amazing work on health equity, advocating for race and gender issues, delivering sexual health education, engaging with the public and promoting social justice through Arts. She followed them for years, and when they invited her to join, she welcomed the opportunity “to volunteer in a leadership capacity and learn more, while building community, impacting positive social changes and bridging the gaps to achieve health equity amongst African, Caribbean and Black Canadians.”

Adaku brings a wealth of experience in law, community and technology to Ribbon Rouge. She believes that women, irrespective of career, sexuality, race or even nationality, should get interested in serving their communities and notfor-profit organizations. She indicates that several studies have shown that organizations stand to gain from having women on their Boards of Directors. Even though they remain a distinct minority on these boards, women continue to be appointed through personal relationships, experience, and expertise. Organizations with a higher proportion of women serving in these capacities engage more people in charitable giving than organizations with a lower percentage of women serving on these boards. There was also more philanthropy in community service and involvement in the arts. Adaku finds that most investors and funding organizations seem to value diversity and the potential contribution of women. Appointing female directors on these boards is a means of improving governance.

Since Adaku joined Ribbon Rouge, she has been grateful to work with the diverse professional team and the seasoned and supportive Board of Directors. She has experienced recent public engagements at the City Hall and Commonwealth Recreation Centre and feels she has learned so much about various health-related topics, which is significant and strategic.

Now as the Board Chair, Adaku is com- and open in all dealings, is the responsibility of the organization’s Board of Directors. This may be an issue for some not-for-profit organizations in Edmonton, as “I realize that governance, especially good governance, is increasingly in the spotlight … due to the demand for more transparency and accountability.” The Board of Directors has the overall responsibility and strategy for achieving the organization’s legal purpose. If those responsibilities are neglected, Adaku indicates that this puts the organization’s sustainability at risk; however, if the organization is equipped with a good governance framework, this should ensure productive and accountability and the organization will deliver an equitably, ethically and sustainably mission. mitted to serving and learning in that role. She is responsible for and represents the Board, while the Executive Director is the organization’s public face. She chairs the board meetings, reviews board agendas and materials, identifies action items and follows up on Board decisions. She also ensures that she attends most Ribbon Rouge events and is available to answer any questions from the attendees. Governance, the practice of ensuring that organizations are accountable, fair

In the past number of years, Black women’s representation within organizations has increased; however, it still remains significantly underrepresented on Board leadership portfolios. Boards need to ensure that they are creating a culture that embraces and leverages Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and promotes “full and public support for DEI efforts, models inclusive leadership, and actively participates in training and mentorship.” Adaku is delighted that key organizational boards in Edmonton have phenomenal, professional and executive Black women in leadership positions. She is incredibly proud, knowing firsthand, the enormous benefits they are bringing to not only their organization but to other groups and communities as well.

Adaku is thankful for her family. Mother’s Day is a “truly special day” for her to honestly reflect on motherhood and appreciate her sweet, gorgeous, adorable and incredibly talented young entrepreneur daughters, Lulu and Mimi (aka LuMi Cosmetics). They mean the world to her and are the very “essence” of her being. She is very proud of them. Adaku also appreciates her beautiful mother, Elsie; her amazing sisters, IJ and Oby; her ageless grandmother, Josephine; her darling friends and dearest aunts. To that end, Adaku would like to say “Happy Mother’s Day” to all women globally. “You are loved, adored, celebrated, appreciated and truly special and thank you for all that you do!”