Dear C-Links Team,Do you know why are our customers return ?It is because of your dedication !Customer Care takes a...
Dr. Andrea Vonny Lee is a global education strategist, cultural preservationist, and social entrepreneur dedicated to expanding equitable access to transformative travel across the African Diaspora. As the founder of Cultural Links, an African American and Indigenous woman–owned organization, she designs immersive study abroad programs and community travel experiences that center culture, connection, and empowered global citizenship. With more than 25 years of experience in education, the arts, and international program development, Dr. Lee has led over 30 experiential programs across Ghana, South Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond- guiding hundreds of students, educators, and community travelers through journeys that uplift identity, heritage, and cross-cultural understanding. A Fulbright Scholar and longtime advocate for accessible global learning, she is recognized for integrating African-centered pedagogy, community partnerships, and the creative arts to build programs that are culturally grounded, academically rich, and personally transformative. Her mission is simple but powerful: to make the world accessible-one life-changing experience at a time.
Safo-Kantanka, PgC., MA.Ed., affectionately known as “Teacher Kantanka,” was born in Mampong-Bobeng, Ashanti Ghana. He speaks multiple languages including Twi, Ga, English, and German and is a researcher, journalist, editor, and foreign student program facilitator. He attended Polytechnic, Akrokerri College, Kumasi Workers College, and universities of Dortmund and Heidelberg in Germany. Kantanka’s areas of expertise span monarchical rulership in the Ashanti Kingdom, anthropology, critical pedagogy, Twi language, Asante art forms, religion, history, culture, and tradition. He is a lead researcher for the 2022 documentary on Nana Konadu Yiadom III (Asantehemaa) and has authored several Ashanti history texts including Kente Cloth History and Culture, Xilbris USA, 2017. The son of a master Kente weaver, and master weaver himself, Kantanka helped design the original “Obama” cloth, woven especially for former President Barak Obama during his presidential visit to the Bon Wire Kente weaving town in 2009. Teacher Kantanka began research collaborations with Cultural Links in 2017 with the House of Royal Chiefs to examine the meaning behind Harriet Tubman’s birth name, “Araminta” for the musical production of “Araminta! Harriet Tubman Lives.” He has conducted Cultural Links tours since 2016. More than a tour guide, Kantanka is an international folk artist, dramatist, and curator of African artifacts, photography, and African symbolism. Teacher Kantanka is the spearhead and conceiver behind Ghana’s first community college. His awards include the 2014 MTN Hero of Change and 2008 Grand Medal and has been interviewed by a number of radio and television stations including BBC, CNN, TV1, Royal TV, UTV, GHO, and GBC.
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 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!
Mezgebu Zehirun, M.S., is one of our international student recruiting agents servicing colleges and universities in California. He is a social worker with an expertise in Ethiopian culture and tourism. Join our next tour to Ethiopia and explore the antiquity, tradition, biodiversity and modern innovation that makes travel to Ethiopia a truly authentic and culturally rich experience! 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!
Dr. Terence Elliott is a Professor Emeritus, musician, composer, and community healer whose career spans more than 30 years in education, arts leadership, and social justice. His work centers on empowering individuals through cultural restoration, global learning, and wellness practices that reconnect mind, body, and spirit. Known for his innovative, inclusive, and student-centered teaching, Dr. Elliott retired from academia after holding key leadership roles—including Division Dean and Senior Dean of Instruction—where he shaped equity-focused initiatives across the California Community College system. He is also a longtime board member of A2MEND, supporting statewide efforts to advance educational success for men of color. A gifted pianist and composer, Dr. Elliott is the author of Spirit, Rhythm, and Story: Community Building and Healing Through Song, a work that explores how music, rhythm, and storytelling serve as tools for collective healing. His global work includes leading students and community members to Ghana for choral festivals, cultural immersion, and musical collaborations, including performances at the National Theatre during Ghana’s Year of Return. Today, Dr. Elliott focuses on sound healing, original composition, reflective writing, and community-based workshops. Within Cultural Links, he plays a central role as: Lead Facilitator, Restoring the Heart of the Educator: Black & Indigenous Sound Healing Retreat Lead Facilitator, Healing Hands Retreats Co-creator of Beyond Self: Global Education for African American Males A cultural ambassador for programs centering wellness, creativity, and global connection Dr. Elliott brings to Cultural Links a powerful blend of artistic mastery, educational leadership, and healing wisdom—grounding every program in the belief that music, culture, and global connection are pathways to liberation and collective uplift.
Cultural Links is dedicated to developing future leaders who hold a global awareness mindset rooted in cultural sensibilities. Cultural Links Student Ambassadors are available for student-led workshops and panel discussions.
Topics: “Bringing More Equity to Study Abroad”, “Building Pillars of Success - Transformational Learning through Global Education.”
Amari earned an Associate Arts degree in Sociology from Diablo Valley Community College and is a former Umoja student and member of the African America Male Leadership Program. An alumni of A2Mend (African American Male Education Netowrk and Development), Amari presently attends Clark Atlanta University majoring in Mass Media Arts. Amari is an undergraduate student recruiter with Cultural Links and was a panelist and global education co-presenter at the XVII 2021 Umoja Conference, CA USA.
Halima earned her B.A. in Anthropology and Dance from San Francisco State University, and three Associate Arts degrees (Anthropology, Dance, Social Science, Language Arts) from Laney College, Oakland, CA. She completed a full year of study abroad at the University of Ghana and has studied abroad in Ghana and Cuba. Halima wishes to pursue further education and utilize her knowledge and skills to heal people from trauma through dance. She was a panelist and global education co-presenter with Cultural Links for the XVII 2021 Umoja Conference, CA USA.
Nkosazana earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Spanish from Mills Oakland, She works at UCSF in a biochemistry/biophysics lab as a student intern/lab technician and is studying for the MCAT in preparation of applying to medical school next year. Fun fact: Nkosazana swam from the Bay to Alcatraz Island! In her future, Nkosazana will become one of the few African American women neurosurgeons. Nkosazana was a panelist and global education co-presenter with Cultural Links at the XVII Umoja Conference, California USA.
Shay received two Associate of Arts degrees (Dance/Philosophy) from Diablo Valley Community College (member of Umoja) before transferring to Mills College, Oakland, CA. Shay earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Ethnic Studies w/concentration in Community Organizing and Planning and minor in Urban Education. In their future, they will be known for their novels and children’s books and their articles will appear in journal publications. Shay was a panelist and global educator co-presenter with Cultural Links at the XVII Umoja Conference, California USA.
Charles graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He also earned an Associate of Arts degree in Sociology from the College of Alameda and is a former Umoja student. Charles intends to obtain his social worker licensure and impact lives through his foster youth empowerment programs.
She earned a Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology with a minor in Gender Studies from the University of Central Arkansas. She gained recent employment as a Behavior Specialist working with children on the autism spectrum. Ammar works as a substitute teacher while pursuing a career path in dentistry and cosmetology. She was a panelist and global education co-presenter with Cultural Links at the XVII Umoja Conference, California USA.
Ayyub is a student at Berkeley City College and participated in the Umoja student program. He is pursuing psychology “to gain a more complex understanding of the human mind and simplify what I learn into practical/philosophical understandings that can be applied to people’s lives.” In his future, Ayyub integrates art, technology, and innovation to inform and educate the public. Ayyub was a panelist and global education co-presenter with Cultural Links at the XVII Umoja Conference, California USA.
She is a senior at the College of Alameda (and former Umoja student) majoring in Sociology. She leverages resources to feed the homeless and is a model, actress and works as a brand marketer and celebrity stylist for Mills Miller Media. In her future, Mikala plans to graduate from an HBCU, and develop businesses on her land in Africa and the Caribbean. Mikala was a panelist and global education co-presenter with Cultural Links at the XVII Umoja Conference, California USA.
Aminah earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Digital Media with a Concentration in Production from UC Santa Cruz after transferring from Los Positas Community College. She writes, shoots, and directs film/video projects and is working towards a self-produced television show. Aminah prepares social media content for Cultural Links and is a past paneleist and global education co-presenter at the XVII Umoja Conference, California USA.
LaTisha is an Oakland native, yoga and meditation coach and mother of 3 sons. In the summer of 2021, she graduated from Laney with an AA in Social Sciences. LaTisha is a former Umoja Ubaka student and currently attends SFSU, majoring in Psychology/minor in Africana studies. In her future, LaTisha plans to earn a master’s degree in Psychology to serve the AA community by opening a restorative therapy and yoga meditation center. Ms. Jackson was a panelist and global education co-presenter with Cultural Links at the XVII Umoja Conference, California USA.
