About us
CENTRA NL is a non-governmental organisation rooted in the heart of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. We exist to empower Black people in business, arts, and culture, creating space for stories to be told, talents to be celebrated, and communities to thrive. Through our programs, markets, theatre productions, and cultural events, we are building an inclusive platform where Black entrepreneurs gain the visibility they deserve, where the arts are a vehicle for change, and where the rich tapestry of Black heritage is honoured with pride and resonance.
2021
our story
Founded in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, CENTRA NL was established to address the lack of visibility and representation for Black people in business, arts, and culture in the province.
What started as a community-driven initiative has grown into a thriving cultural collective running markets, theatre productions, training programs, and video series.
What drives us.
At CENTRA NL, everything we do is guided by three core principles: empowerment, cultural pride, and community. We believe that Black entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives deserve the visibility, resources, and support to thrive on their own terms. We believe that Black culture is worth celebrating loudly and with pride, through theatre, markets, film, and storytelling.
IN THE PRESS
The media have recognised CENTRA NL's work across Newfoundland and beyond.
CBC NEWS
“New Black theatre training program supports artists from the page to the stage”
CBC News covers CENTRA NL's Black Theatre Training Program and its impact on Black artists in Newfoundland and Labrador.
KICKER CNA
"Black-Owned Market Offers Taste of Other Cultures"
Kicker CNA covers CENTRA NL's Black-owned market and its celebration of diverse cultures and Black-owned businesses across Newfoundland and Labrador
THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA
“Paid Theatre Program Opens Doors for Black Artists”
The Caribbean Camera highlights how CENTRA NL is creating paid opportunities for Black theatre artists across Canada.
Meet our team
The people driving CENTRA NL's mission every day.
Nicole obiodiaka
Artistic Director
Leading CENTRA NL's creative vision across theatre, film, and cultural programming in Newfoundland and Labrador.
With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience setting the tone for everything we do.
Kerenh Happuch
Programming Manager
Managing and coordinating CENTRA NL's programs, workshops, and community events.
Frances Utomi
Social Media & Outreach
Amplifying CENTRA NL's voice and community presence across social media and outreach initiatives.
Board of Directors.
The leadership guiding CENTRA NL's mission and strategy.
Ruth Lawrence
An award-winning theatre artist and filmmaker with over 70 short films and documentaries to her name. The recipient of the ArtsNL Artist of the Year and the Queen’s Jubilee medal, Ruth possesses a wealth of knowledge to guide our theatre programming.
Board Member
Kelechi Nene
A Mechanical Engineering graduate from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Kelechi is a Production Engineer at Ovintiv. His dedication to operational excellence, teamwork, and community impact brings technical expertise and a commitment to professional development to the CENTRA NL board.
Board Member
Laurabel Mba
Recognised as one of WXN Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women, Laurabel is a DEIB consultant, public speaker, and founder of Laurabel Mba Consulting. A 2024 Women in Communication and Technology Entrepreneur of the Year and 2022 NL Human Rights Award nominee, she is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion across corporate, education, and nonprofit spaces.
Board Member