Meet the Team
Jenni Arhinful
Founder / Director / Project Manager
Jenni founded Culture Connect Project CIC in January 2024, inspired by her years of visiting Ghana and her deep desire to keep her son connected to his Ghanaian heritage. Recognising the need for cultural representation and celebration in smaller Sussex towns, she created Culture Connect to uplift communities, celebrate diversity, and build meaningful connections—both locally and overseas.
With a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, Jenni’s dissertation on Creativity & Wellbeing reflects her deep belief in the power of art, culture, and creative expression as tools for healing and connection. A budding painter and creative facilitator, Jenni designs the arts and crafts activities at Culture Connect events, making cultural education fun, immersive, and accessible.
Jenni is also a director at Roots Rising CIC, where she has assisted with event curation and healing arts workshops in community gardens, emphasising creativity as a means of empowerment and wellbeing. As the project manager for Culture Connect, she is the driving force behind its vision, ensuring that everything comes together seamlessly—from cultural events and penpal projects to donation drives and international outreach.
As a neurodivergent creative, dreamer, and visionary, Jenni has an extraordinary ability to connect people, fostering an inclusive space where cultures, ideas, and communities merge beautifully.
Anthony (Tony) Kalume
Director / Workshop Facilitator / Public Speaker
Tony is a broadcast journalist, author, artistic curator, and community leader, passionate about Afro-Caribbean heritage, cultural diversity, and social impact. With over 30 years of experience organising cultural events across the UK, he has played a vital role in celebrating and amplifying diverse voices.
As the founder of Diversity Lewes, Tony is dedicated to uplifting underrepresented communities and fostering inclusion. He also runs Brad’s Pit, the community garden at Lewes FC, creating a welcoming space for connection, sustainability, and wellbeing.
A DJ and music podcast host, Tony has a deep love for music, using it as a tool for storytelling and cultural exchange. Fluent in Swahili, he also serves as an interpreter and actively supports projects in Kenya, including the Neema Project, which empowers single mothers through education and skills training.
Well-loved within the community, Tony’s work is driven by a passion for unity, creativity, and social change.
Maria Urassa
Director / Ambassador
Maria is the owner of Hakuna Matata International in Newhaven town centre, offering a vibrant range of international foods with a focus on Afro-Caribbean produce and exotic fruit & veg.
Originally from Tanzania and a proud mother of three boys, Maria has a deep love for the Newhaven community. She is an incredible supporter of the cause, kindly stocking our cultural items in her shop to help raise funds for our youth projects in Ghana.
A passionate advocate for celebrating diversity in smaller Sussex towns and supporting children across African communities, Maria brings a warm heart, charitable spirit, and inspiring dedication to everything she does.
She is also a published co-author, with her personal story featured in a collaborative book, highlighting her commitment to empowerment through storytelling.
Maria is a much-loved figure in the local community, and we’re thrilled to have her as part of our team. As we grow, we look forward to expanding our charitable work into Tanzania, helping to maximise our impact around the world.
Matilda (Nana) Abruquah
Ghana Representative
Matilda is a social worker, investigator, and passionate advocate for human rights at Ghana’s Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice. Dedicated to supporting rural communities, particularly single mothers, she works tirelessly to promote social justice, equality, and empowerment.
As the founder of The Flower Community Gh. NGO, Matilda leads impactful initiatives such as the Green Schools Project, which focuses on environmental sustainability and education, and the Girls Ignite Project, providing mentorship and empowerment for girls aged 10-18. Her work extends to autism awareness and advocacy, ensuring that vulnerable children and families receive the support they need.
Representing Culture Connect in Ghana, Matilda facilitates cultural exchange and community engagement, bridging connections between Ghana and the UK. She also plays a crucial role in hosting and supporting overseas volunteers, ensuring their safety and helping them integrate into local communities.
With an unwavering commitment to social change and a heart for helping others, Matilda actively supports numerous charity projects, making a lasting impact on the lives of children, families, and communities in underserved areas.
