Inspiring Oneness in Cultural Diversity

Dr. Adekunle Pinmiloye

Dr. Adekunle Pinmiloye mostly known as Ksticks holds a PhD degree in Music performance, and a post-doctoral diploma course in Audio Engineering from the Musician’ Institute, Hollywood, Los Angeles. United States. Also, M.A. Music, B.A and Diploma in music.
Pinmiloye lectured music for 9 years at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife, Nigeria. For almost 20 years, He was the resident music director, head drummer of Daystar Christian Centre Lagos, Nigeria. He was the conductor and producer of the annual Daystar carol concert.

Dr. Pinmiloye was the first drummer in Nigeria to specialize on drum performance from first degree to PhD level. He was the first civilian to perform with the Nigerian Navy Concert Band. He is a renowned Drum/Music Instructor, Music Producer, Author and Music Director with over 3 decades of rich and awe-inspiring, multi-cultural musical influences spreading across local and global boundaries. He has conducted several seminars on drums and facilitated music workshops across many institutions in Africa and the USA. He is the founder and director of Kross Kulture Musical, also, the music director, International Christian Centre Los Angeles, California. Dr. Pinmiloye is an independent researcher with area of interest in drum language communication.

Ikechukwu Ezeji (AKA Iyke)

Ikechukwu Ezeji (AKA Iyke) is a seasoned E-Banking expert with over 24 years experience in the Banking industry.
He has a B.Sc. Computer Science from the university of Ibadan, and an MBA (Global Electronic Commerce) from the University of Baltimore, USA.
He is currently the Group Head, Transaction Banking Sales at First City Monument Bank (FCMB) where his major KPI is to drive the acceptance and usage of alternate Payment/Collections platforms by the Nigerian general populace. His main focus is on electronic payment systems through ERP integration and API’s, thereby ensuring smoother and hitch free online transactions. The elimination (or at least the reduction) of the barriers that time and space bring in financial transactions keeps him awake at night.

His background in IT and his experience in Banking, little wonder why he is passionate about improving online transaction safety. He is a music lover, a career counselor and an avid traveller who hopes to travel to at least 100 countries in the next ten years.

Olubunmi Pinmiloye

Joyce Maddox

Joyce Maddox is an Independent Contractor with her own company Gia Marie Consulting in Los Angeles California. Maddox’s most recent position was Cultural Arts Manager for the City of Redondo Beach, California. Maddox has a passion for the Arts and has worked at East West Players Theater, Los Angeles Theatre Center, William Grant Still Arts Center and Wilshire Ebell in Los Angeles California, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Dallas Texas, and Miramar Cultural Center, Miramar Florida. Maddox’s love for the Arts started at age five while attending the Musical, Hello Dolly with the legendary Pearl Bailey at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City. Maddox’s career in the Arts started while interning at the Inner-City Cultural Center under the Direction of the late C. Bernard Jackson where she had the opportunity to work with Artists such as Glynn Thurman, Ted Lange, Bea Richards, Denzel Washington, Mako, and more. Maddox has worked on great projects in Film, Television, and Stage in the capacity of Stage Manager, Production Manager, Second AD, Script Supervisor, Director and Arts Administrator. Maddox loves classical music, Ed Sheeran, Dance, and Musicals. Maddox is the proud mother of two Doggie fur babies Tootsie and Lucy. Her hope for the future “May the Arts once again flourish and become the Rhythm of our Hearts”

Lara Okunubi

Lara Okunubi is a happy mother of four, a successful entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist. Lara is passionate about contributing and
transforming lives. One of her guiding mantra is “when support improves, outcomes will increase” a principle that has distinguished her
as an effective leader, advocate for empowerment and systems change.

Lara is a graduate of Business Administration, B.Sc. and MBA. Certified by Cornell University in Measuring and improving Business Performance.
Certified in Project Management for Non-profit. Certified in Person centered thinking and PC Plan Facilitation, she provides coaching,
consultation, mentoring, training to organizations from a person centered perspective to help inform both leadership and workforce on
competencies for desired growth and success.

Lara is the CEO/Exe Director of Ideal Program Services, a community advocate and founder of Compassion Without Border. She’s a member of
several organizations advancing quality of life for people with disabilities.

Dr. Toyin Adeniji

Tunde Ijiyemi

Prof. Michael Varner

Dr. Michael Varner has recently retired from the position of Director of Percussion at the University of Texas at Arlington after 36 years. Previous to that he was Director of Percussion at Western Michigan University. He has taught Percussion and World Music at the University level for a total of 40 years. He holds a degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University, a Master’s in Performance from The University of Michigan, and a Doctorate in Performance from The University of North Texas. With a long history as a performer he draws from over 40 years’ experience performing new and time-honored repertoire to the highest standards. In 2014, he released his latest CD “reVelations” featuring his own compositions. Excerpts from Dr. Varner’s performances can be seen on Youtube. He has presented Percussion clinics in every state, Europe, and Japan and has over 20 commissioned compositions published internationally.

His interest in world music led to a sabbatical in Nigeria and “Study-Abroad” classes to Ghana. His article “Skin That Speaks” was published in the 2013 Percussive Notes Journal and he received a Grant to accept an invitation from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria for teaching and research. He taught all percussion and world music courses at UTArlington and was a member of the Honor’s College Faculty, chosen as Honor’s faculty member of the Year
For video and more information on Dr. Varner visit:
http://www.uta.edu/faculty/mulberry/acover