Andrea Vonny Lee-Founder/CEO, 2005

Cultural Links LLC is a proudly African American, 100% woman-owned business founded by CEO, Andrea Vonny Lee, Ed.D., a dance educator/performer, dance and musical theater presenter, choreographer, and social entrepreneur. She has led over 20 community tours and study abroad trips to Ghana, West Africa, including Benin and Cuba. Andrea works directly with international educational institutions, US colleges & universities, business industries, and non-governmental organizations to develop sustainable global education exchange programs. Andrea received her Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) from San Diego State University; M.A. in Education, B.A. in Dance Performance & Choreography, and Single Subject Teaching Credential w/Dance Emphasis from SFSU. Aside from tour management and facilitation, Andrea is an international student recruiter for US higher education institutions and has been leading community groups and college tours to Africa for 13 years.

Gaidi Nkruma-Joined Cultural Links in 2021

Gaidi services our mid-western region, USA. We’ve nicked-named him “Gadget Gaidi” because he always has everything handy in the realm of IT–converters, solar chargers, batteries, and more! Aside from winning the gold star gadget award, Gaidi Nkruma holds a Master’s of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, Oakland, CA. A seasoned video technician, Gaidi retired from UC Berkeley as the Producer/Director of Instructional and Event Technology for the Haas School of Business. While on tour-don’t be surprised to find Gaidi dancing with the villagers. He is a former principal member of Ceedo Senegalese Dance Company, and a playwright too!

Mezegebu Zehirun- Joined Cultural Links in 2021

Mezegebu services our Northern California region, USA. He is a social worker, international student recruiter, and expert in East African tourism. Join our next tour to Ethiopia and explore the antiquity, tradition, bio-diversity and modern innovation that makes this trip so special. Our C-Links team and on-the-ground tour operators will lead you to the magnificent and legendary Blue Nile, ancient monasteries, and rock-hewn churches. This is a great tour for student groups and those seeking investment opportunities in East Africa. Wrap up your journey with an AMAZING East African Safari!

GLOBAL STUDENT AMBASSADORS

transformative change-makers

Amari Joseph-Joined Cultural Links in 2019

Studied Abroad in 2019 as a community college student from Diablo Valley College. Amari is now a student at ClarkAtlanta University in Atlanta, GA studying communications. He is a gifted speaker and is one of our lead student motivators. Amari was a student panelist with Dr. Elliott and Dr. Lee at the A2Mend Community College Conference in Los Angeles, CA and his testimonies have been heard at the Umoja student success conference, Oakland, CA. Amari is committed to encouraging more undergraduate students to study abroad-especially those who come from less resourced communities. His story is featured in the upcoming Cultural Links documentary about student transformation through study abroad in Africa. After graduation, Amari plans to co-facilitate our short-term and full semester abroad programs.