Edmonton, AB
Aristote Bikino
Aristote Bikino is a young community leader in Edmonton, Alberta. He arrived in Canada as a newcomer and kept meeting talented young people whose skills stayed invisible because no one had ever asked to see them. He built Lumina Bridge Foundation to change that, creating programs in youth leadership, education, arts, culture and newcomer support. He designs and hosts the Lead Where You Land Fellowship himself, working alongside guest speakers, volunteers and community partners across Alberta. He believes leadership is a behaviour long before it is a title, and that every young person already carries something their community needs.
Lead Where You Land: Black Youth Leadership and Connection Fellowship
Lead Where You Land is a free hybrid leadership fellowship for African-Canadian and newcomer Black youth in Edmonton. Across five sessions, some in person at the Edmonton Intercultural Centre and some online, fellows learn from guest speakers on youth leadership and on entering Canadian systems and the economy as immigrants. The program closes with Youth Connect Night, a public showcase and certificate ceremony.
About this Project
Communities Served
My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.
How the project works
Five hybrid sessions run September 7 to October 30, 2026, alternating in-person meetings at the Edmonton Intercultural Centre with online sessions. Each brings a guest speaker on youth leadership and newcomer integration into Canadian systems and the economy, followed by practice, discussion and connection time. Youth Connect Night closes it.
Project Impact
Fellows leave able to speak about their strengths and with at least three meaningful peer or mentor connections. Guest speakers give them a working map of how young immigrants enter Canadian systems and the economy. Every fellow presents at Youth Connect Night, where families and partners see Black youth leadership made visible.
Project Mission
Every young person already carries something their community needs. Lead Where You Land exists to make that visible for African-Canadian and newcomer Black youth in Edmonton. Our goals: fellows learn from leaders who walked the path, find their footing in Canadian systems and the economy, build real connections, and take the stage.
Project Team
Lead Where You Land exists so African-Canadian and newcomer Black youth in Edmonton can discover their strengths, practise leadership, and find their footing in Canadian systems and the economy. Its goals: every fellow learns from leaders who have walked that path, builds real connections, and stands on a public stage. Lead Where You Land helps African-Canadian and newcomer Black youth in Edmonton turn lived experience into leadership. Over five hybrid sessions, our goals are simple: every fellow learns from guest speakers who navigated Canadian systems before them, builds at least three real connections, and presents publicly at Youth Connect Night. Every young person already carries something their community needs. Lead Where You Land exists to make that visible for African-Canadian and newcomer Black youth in Edmonton. Our goals: fellows learn from leaders who walked the path, find their footing in Canadian systems and the economy, build real connections, and take the stage.
- Aristote Bikino — Founder & CEO, Lumina Bridge Foundation; hosts and facilitates the fellowship Bienvenue Ntaganzwa — Chief Operating Officer; operations and logistics Fred Shikiro — Director of Program Development; curriculum and partnerships Esther Muhawenimana — Participant Support Lead; registration, attendance and support Malkie Mujyanukire — Communications & Outreach; recruitment and social media
Video
Lead Where You Land
Optional Photo Gallery
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