Nicole Antoine is a dynamic force in experiential marketing and brand strategy, with over a decade of experience working with more than 40 top-tier companies. As a co-founder and CEO of BLAXPO and Four Brown Girls, Nicole has created platforms that amplify underrepresented voices and foster authentic human connections. Recognized in Forbes, The Social, Globe & Mail, CBC, and named Bay Street Bull’s Woman of the Year, she’s a trailblazer in the industry, balancing corporate success with community impact.
Her journey spans from managing Black-centric community centers to leading marketing for a national sneaker company. Nicole’s expertise in customer service, strategy, and management shines through in every role she’s taken on. Now, as the Managing Partner of N/A & Co, she continues to elevate brands by crafting meaningful, innovative experiences that not only engage but also drive change.
Currently pursuing her EMBA at McGill HEC, Nicole's passion for marketing, human connection, and storytelling is stronger than ever, and she’s committed to ensuring her clients stand out while making an impact.
Nicole Antoine
Diane Gistal is a cultural producer and independent curator of Haitian-French descent, recognized for her dedication to promoting Afro-descendant and African artistic creation. As the founder and director of Nigra Iuventa, she works to amplify the practices of visual artists from these communities. With expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as extensive experience in cultural project management, Diane is a committed leader in Quebec’s cultural sector.Her career has led her to collaborate with prestigious institutions such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Phi Foundation, the Goethe-Institut, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Le Livart, and the UNESCO Chair DCMET. Her curatorial practice—at the crossroads of visual arts, literature, and the humanities—delves into the literary, visual, and cinematic representations of the Black Atlantic.
James Oscar is a writer, art critic, and exhibition curator whose work lies at the intersection of experimental critique and anthropological inquiry. As a researcher at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, his work has focused on cultural policy. His academic journey has been deeply influenced by his mentorship under Martinican philosopher Édouard Glissant and his collaboration with Ato Sekyi-Otu on the works of Frantz Fanon. <span>With 25 years of experience in contemporary art, Oscar has worked at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and served as Curator-in-Residence at Fonderie Darling (2022-2023). He currently leads the Musée des Arts Libres des Amériques et du Monde (MALAM), home to a significant collection of Caribbean art. His recent exhibitions include "Illuminations" (2024), "Le Langage Secret de l'Univers" (2023), and "Music for the World of Tomorrow".<br></span>
As a civic researcher, he has engaged in dialogues with figures such as Cornel West and has contributed to major institutions, including Radio-Canada, the Canadian Museums Association, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture. As the founder of Montréal en Action, he spearheaded North America's first public consultation on systemic racism.
His research explores artistic practices through the lens of critical anthropology across the Americas. His publication, "Imperial Amphitheatres", was launched at the Venice Biennale.
Ingrid is a brand strategist, ethnographer, and co-founder of Pre&ent. Driven by a deep curiosity for human nuances, she focuses on the motivations and concerns that drive change for brands, organizations, and individuals. Through ethnographic research, strategic planning, and both qualitative and quantitative analysis, this socio-cultural explorer delivers insights and recommendations shaped by diverse observations.
As a freelance consultant, Ingrid helps teams create meaningful socio-cultural anchors, working with organizations such as Collectif Bienvenue, Héma-Québec, Apple, and Hellmann’s. Through Pre&ent, which provides visual content, workshops, and research focused on representation, she explores ways to highlight authentic stories and their complexities. By leveraging engaging learning and observational techniques (A2C, Radio-Canada, Musée de la civilisation), she fosters a deeper understanding of narratives that truly resonate.
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