As he sat down for our interview, I immediately noticed two things about Karl-Yann Assah: his towering height and his kaftan — a traditional pullover robe commonly worn in sub-Saharan Africa — which flowed in its structure, exuding the quiet confidence Assah embodied. He wore it with the ease of someone who knows exactly who they are. It was his birthday that day, and he decided this interview was a great way to spend his afternoon. When I brought it up, he smiled and said, “This is work. This is why I’m here, so, honestly, trust me, take all the time you need… I’m an open book.”
Assah is many things. Hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he’s been a fashion model — walking for the likes of Thom Browne and Givenchy — a technologist with experience at BlackRock, and currently, a U of T master’s student in Information Systems and Design, and an advocate challenging stereotypes and broadening narratives. His story is not just about navigating different worlds — it’s about reshaping them along the way.
There was an intentionality to Assah’s presence that felt rare. His kaftan, for example, was not just a fashion choice but a statement. “My friend Yvonne made it for me,” he shared as he ran a hand over the fabric with genuine appreciation. “Special order from Nigeria… if I wear this, most people will know this is African attire.” The kaftan’s burgundy hue, chosen “to emulate royalty,” was more than aesthetic — it nodded to a certain part of his heritage, his story, and his place in the world.
I realized he wore a black version of this kaftan at the Isabel Bader Theatre on January 26 during the TEDxUofT 2025 Annual Conference. His TED Talk, “From Africa to the World: The Role of Global Representation in Shaping the Future,” was a powerful exploration of how culture and visibility intersect. Sitting across from him, I saw how seamlessly his personal philosophy bled into his public persona. His kaftan was more than just clothing — it functioned as a conversation starter, a bridge between the world he comes from and the world he’s helping to shape.
Assah’s awareness of presentation was both personal and deeply cultural. “Growing up, I was never allowed to wear a hoodie and go outside,” he said. His parents, understanding the realities of racial perception, taught him that people will treat you based on how you dress. It was a lesson that shaped his wardrobe and his “way of showing up in the world when it comes to appearance, behaviour and communication.”
In his TEDx Talk, Assah spoke about how representation was not merely about who was present but about how they were seen. His own experiences bore this out. Beyond runways, finance internships, and being a master’s student, Assah is also the co-founder of The Edentity Group.
Recently, The Edentity Group announced that they would be brought in by Amazon Canada’s Black Employee Network to lead a workshop designed to help professionals leverage modern tools and strategies for personal marketing in today’s evolving economy. This initiative will expand Assah’s advocacy from fashion and technology into corporate spaces, emphasizing his commitment to education and community engagement. Beyond breaking barriers, Assah’s work functions to build new frameworks for inclusion and understanding.
There’s an ease to the way Assah moves through different spaces.“You can put me in any room, and I know how to connect with people,” he said. “I have somewhat of a sense of their culture… it lowers the barriers for friction in terms of communication and collaboration so inherently, people just like you more, [and] people want to work with you again.”
For many people, this may be the first time they interact with somebody from your country… How are you introducing them to your culture? How are you representing not just yourself but your community?
I questioned him on how the people who’ve known him the longest see him. Assah pulled out his phone. “If we had time,” he laughed, “I’d call [my brothers] right now.” And then, without hesitation, he dialled.
“Yo. Question,” Assah said. “I’m here with Chhata; she’s interviewing me for the school newspaper, and she asked me — how would your siblings describe you in three words?”
There was a pause on the other end. “Professional answer or non-professional?”
“Let’s do a mix.”
His younger brother thought for a moment. “Focused,” he said. “Inspiring.” Then, after a pause, “High-spirited.”
Assah grinned as he hung up. “Okay, that’s one.”
He contemplated, then added, “I think my older brother would say I’m [a] people person. I’m hardworking, ambitious… my brother finds me funny; he laughs a lot at my jokes.” He paused, then laughed. “We’re all tight.”
When asked to define himself, Assah hesitated before settling on “polymath,” and explained, “I’m just somebody that’s passionate about life… somebody that’s good at multiple things.” His story is not one of linear success but adaptability in progression towards a projected goal — a superpower he attributed to his childhood, which involved moving frequently around the world.
But for Assah, adaptability is multiple things, including fitting in, absorbing, reflecting, and contributing to every space he enters. Each move and cultural shift adds a new layer to his identity. He sees this not as a fragmentation of his identity but an enrichment of his experience of the world. “You see that there’s a myriad of ways to answer a specific problem, not just one,” he said. This mindset, echoed in his TED Talk, challenges the rigidity of singular narratives and highlights the value of diverse perspectives.
What’s compelling about Assah’s adaptability is that it never feels like code-switching. He isn’t muting parts of himself to fit in; rather, he’s amplifying different facets of his identity to build bridges. His approach is about finding common ground rather than conforming to presupposed standards. It’s a rare skill, particularly in industries that often demand a polished, one-dimensional persona.
Assah’s family background shaped him, but so did his U of T experience. From his undergrad at UTM, where he specialized in Digital Enterprise Management, he grew to appreciate how cultures converged on campus and identities formed through constant negotiation with each other. “You look around, and you see folks from China, India, East Africa,” he said. “That’s the beauty of international schools.”
But with diversity comes responsibility. “For many people, this may be the first time they interact with somebody from your country… How are you introducing them to your culture? How are you representing not just yourself but your community?”
For Assah, every interaction is an opportunity to educate and connect. He believes that representation is not just about being seen but also about being understood. It’s about creating an environment where differences are celebrated and where conversations lead to deeper cultural awareness.
At the core of Assah’s worldview is ‘The Spirit of Ubuntu,’ a Zulu philosophy meaning ‘I am because we are.’ He spoke about it passionately both on stage and in our conversation. “I am the sum of the accomplishments, cultural aspirations, values and traditions [of] those who came before me,” he said. It’s a perspective that informs everything he does — from his work in fashion to his aspirations in education.
For Assah, Ubuntu is an ethos and a blueprint for living. It reframes success as a collective achievement, not just an individual accolade. His mission is not merely to ascend but to elevate others alongside him. His philanthropy extends beyond borders — Assah has worked on sending books to students in Côte d’Ivoire, hoping to bridge educational gaps and ignite a love for learning. His interest in finance is also deeply rooted in his heritage; he’s passionate about financial literacy and aims to equip young people with the tools they need to thrive in the global economy, empowering them to take control of their futures.
Even as our conversation wound down, Assah’s curiosity remained sharp. “Now, I have questions for you,” he said, leaning forward, fully engaged. It’s a reminder that for Assah, every exchange is an opportunity — to learn, to teach, and to connect.
Karl-Yann Assah is doing two things: playing the game of life while complicating its rules, especially for Black and African people. His story is a testament to the power of showing up, for himself and for those who haven’t yet found their voice. And as he continues to navigate and redefine the worlds of fashion, technology, and education, it’s clear he’s not just moving through spaces — he’s leaving the door open behind him.
