Lohifa Pogoson Acker is our Kickoff Speaker and Emcee for the day.
Lohifa is a Consultant, Speaker, Hair Artist and Business Owner. Known for her dynamic personality and unwavering commitment to community development, Lohifa believes that every individual possesses inherent beauty and brilliance that deserves to be celebrated every day.
As a Hair Artist and Founder at LoDidThat, Lohifa brings a rich cultural heritage to her work, infusing her styles with a blend of traditional and contemporary techniques that celebrate diversity and individuality. Before founding LoDidThat in 2019, Lohifa cultivated a robust career in International Development, focusing on Health System Strengthening initiatives with renowned humanitarian organizations. In 2024, Lohifa founded Excel In Style – a non-profit powered by 70+ Hamilton based textured hair stylists and barbers dedicated to mentoring and empowering black and racialized youth across the city.
As a proactive change agent and community builder with a strong passion for Hamilton, Lohifa exemplifies her dedication to service through her involvement as a board member for The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, The Hamilton Foundation for Student Success (HWDSB) and The Hamilton Club.
You can often find Lohifa putting her gift of gab to work on the microphone at signature community events. She supports many organizations like GoodWill Amity, YWCA Hamilton, The Westdale Cinema, Empowerment Squared, The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and others as a Master of Ceremonies (MC), Host and Speaker.
Lohifa has received a number of awards in recognition of her work, her business and continued efforts in community service including The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Business Achievement Awards (2020), The Order of Hamilton (2023) and The King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025).
Lohifa’s interests are broad, encompassing health and wellness, education, youth development, and small business support. Her mission is to foster healthy and just communities where everyone can thrive. Lohifa strives to embrace life fully, live purposefully and she encourages others to do the same.