Active Listening: Amplifying Impact Through Partnership

Last summer, Fyli launched a monthly event series called Active Listening that Leads to Understanding to address social injustice, amplify diverse voices, and support under-served and marginalized communities. This event will be free and open to the public. Attendees can register here on Eventbrite and will have the option to make a donation to GEANCO. You may donate during registration or directly on their website: https://www.geanco.org/donate/

GEANCO:
GEANCO saves and transforms the lives of the poor and vulnerable in Africa. We lead special surgical missions and run maternal and infant health programs in Nigeria. We also donate critical supplies to schools while providing life-changing scholarships to young female victims of terrorism and gender inequality.
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MEET OUR MODERATOR:
Nche Onyema, Founding Director, The GEANCO Foundation
Together with her family, Nche formed The GEANCO Foundation. Motivated by the desire to promote greater fairness and equity in society, Nche leads organizations and teams to deliver engagement solutions that break down barriers to equal access, empower marginalized communities and dismantle systems of oppression.
Nche serves on the Brain Trust of GreenHouse::Innovation. She is an alumna of both the Surge Institute and the MovingWorlds Institute fellowship programs. She is also a choreographer and dance instructor. In her spare time you’ll find her inking up her passport, cooking and breaking bread with friends that feed the soul, or running routes for coed-flag football. As a do-er and storyteller, you’ll always find her in the spaces where the game needs to be changed.

MEET OUR PANEL:
Megalyn Echikunwoke, Actor and Activist
Megalyn Echikunwoke a Nigerian American actor, writer, singer and dancer. Raised by a single mother on the Navajo reservation until she got her start in the industry at 14 she is best known for her various roles in television, film and theater. Her involvement in this work is driven by the importance of art and storytelling to expose injustice, inspire change and heal communities. She recently joined a renowned cast, lending her voice for a children’s story developed as part of GEANCO’s STOR14S series, raising money to support their COVID-19 relief effort in Nigeria, where Megalyn’s father is from.
Connect with Megalyn on Instagram

Megan Merid, Previous Co-founder and VP of Business Development of REALHER Makeup
A mom trying to do the most, Megan Merid has spent the last 22 year dedicated to the beauty industry. Megan served as Co-founder of REALHER makeup, a cruelty free makeup line, featuring affirmations of hope and encouragement as the shade names on every product.Megan had the pleasure to partner with the GEANCO Foundation and start a campaign utilizing the REALHER platform to share beautiful artwork made by the hands of the incredible women and girls that rely on the resources from GEANCO. A donation page is live and downloads of these unique pieces are available upon donation to The GEANCO Foundation.
Be on the lookout for Megan’s equally bold moves as she plans to launch her next endeavor Manifest Beaute by the end of 2021 where she hopes to continue to impact individuals to see their self worth and value.
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AJ Leon, Founder of Misfit
AJ is the Founder of Misfit – a multinational, multidisciplinary social enterprise, consisting of a handful of different and distinct companies spread throughout the world. He is also an author, international speaker, conference producer, filmmaker, philanthropist, social investor, world traveler, an Honorary Fellow at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and a champagne enthusiast.
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Jessie White, VP of Misfit
Jessie is VP at Misfit. She serves as Head of Strategy and Performance at the marketing agency, a Producer at Misfit Animation and leads all corporate philanthropic programs at Misfit Foundation. She is also Principal at Misfit Ventures, overseeing the eclectic investment portfolio. She loves hiking to the top of big hills, wild swimming in any weather, travelling this big wide world, and dancing to live music of any kind.
Follow Jessie on Instagram