Ola Ogunkoya (Double O), BA, Actor, Producer & Choreographer. Associate and Music Dance & Theater Coordinator Yoruba Cultural Center.
Ola was educated at the Lagos State University where he earned a degree in Theater Arts. Over the years, he has excelled as an actor, producer, choreographer, radio host, MC, and fashion model. He is the founder of Double O Productions, an African dance crew that performs in cities all across the United States. He has acted in a number of Nigerian films produced in the United States. In 2016, ACI Awards nominated him for Best Lead Actor in the Diaspora. His feature film, “Majemu America,” won the OGO Yoruba Award as the Best Movie in the Diaspora and was nominated for an African Oscar Award in Hollywood, California. Ola was also the winner of the Afro USA Best Dance Artist in 2001. In 2014, he won the MBE Improver Award for Best Radio Segment, London, 2014; the Custodian of African Culture Award, 2017; and the TAMPAN USA Achievement Award, 2018. He was named a Yoruba Cultural Ambassador at the Oodua Image Awards in 2018. Ola lives in Dallas with his wife and 2 children. He hosts several radio shows including “Make una thank God” on Distinct Radio Texas, “Orita faaji” and “Lunch Break with Double O” on DNC Radio Texas.
Franchesca Jennings Social Media Team Member Yoruba Cultural Center
Franchesca was born and raised in Dallas. She is a graduate of Skyline High School and will be a freshman in Fall 2020 at the Texas State University, Sam Marcos, TX to major in Liberal Arts and Political Science. She is very active and vocal on social issues that affect her community and impact members of her generation. She has organized and hosted town hall meetings for youths and has served on committee boards of the Youth Council for The City of Dallas Youth Commission. After attending Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Jenkin’s Youth Summit Teen Camp, Franchesca became the leader of several youth organizations focused on creating a positive impact on young people of her generation. She has spoken at youth forums, and her speeches have been broadcast at school. Along the way, she has received several trophies and awards for her social activism. This is Franchesca in her own words: “Mentoring and helping my peers is my passion. I want to spend the years ahead helping young people of color to learn about their culture, especially black history. I am very excited about my role in assisting the Yoruba Cultural Center Dallas to promote the language and culture of the Yoruba people.” Franchesca is the recipient of the YEWANDE PAULISSEN OGUSAN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD given by the Yoruba Cultural Center, August 2020.
“Learning about our culture helps us define who we are, so that no one would make us feel uncomfortable in our skin.”
Olubunmi Kayode Social Media Team Member Yoruba Cultural Center
Olubunmi was born in Tennessee to Yoruba parents, but was raised in Atlanta, Georgia before moving to Texas at the age of six. She is a graduate of South Grand Prairie High School where she was inducted into the National Honor Society by dint of her academic performance. She will be a freshman in Fall 2020 at the Texas State University, Sam Marcos, TX with a major in Theater. Ever since she was a child, Olubunmi has always wanted to play an active role in her community. She has a passion for using arts and creativity, especially in performance arts, to promote the various cultural experiences she has enjoyed in her young life. She wants to spend her years in college – and after that -, in learning more about the language, history and culture of the Yoruba people of West Africa. She hopes to assist the Yoruba Cultural Center Dallas in its various programs, especially the Yoruba Language School, the Yoruba Art and Heritage Museum, and the Yoruba Music, Dance and Theater group. Olubunmi is the recipient of the DEJI OLUSANYA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARD given by the Yoruba Cultural Center, August 2020.
“Let us aspire to the best we can at all times. True wisdom is learning from our mistakes.”