About Tilga Fund
Tilga is dedicated to empowering young minds and celebrating Black artistic excellence around the world.
Founded by Wole Bakare in 2020, Tilga Art Fund launched its first initiative in partnership with the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art in Lagos, Nigeria, providing thousands of high-quality art prints to visiting high school students.
In collaboration with Rele Art Foundation, the Fund awarded grants to twelve emerging Nigerian artists in 2020 and 2021. Since then, Tilga has expanded its support to young artists in South Africa and Uganda, with a vision to champion artists across the African continent.
In addition to its work in the arts, the Tilga Scholarships—established in honor of Wole’s father, Tola Bakare—have provided financial support to more than thirty college students at institutions including the University of California, Riverside, Tuskegee University, The Ohio State University, and Rhode Island School of Design over the past twelve years.
Through its initiatives, Tilga seeks to build a lasting legacy that promotes Black excellence, creativity, and cultural contribution worldwide.
About Tilga Fund
Tilga is dedicated to empowering young minds and celebrating Black & African artistic excellence around the world.
Founded by Wole Bakare in 2020, Tilga Art Fund launched its first initiative in partnership with the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art in Lagos, Nigeria, providing thousands of high-quality art prints to visiting high school students.
In collaboration with Rele Art Foundation, the Fund awarded grants to twelve emerging Nigerian artists in 2020 and 2021. Since then, Tilga has expanded its support to young artists in South Africa and Uganda, with a vision to champion artists across the African continent.
In addition to its work in the arts, the Tilga Scholarships—established in honor of Wole’s father, Tola Bakare—have provided financial support to more than thirty college students at institutions including the University of California, Riverside, Tuskegee University, The Ohio State University, and Rhode Island School of Design over the past twelve years.
Through its initiatives, Tilga seeks to build a lasting legacy that promotes Black excellence, creativity, and cultural contribution worldwide.
About Wole Bakare
Wole Bakare has more than 25 years of experience in the cable and telecommunications industry and currently oversees operational performance for Spectrum’s West Region, covering Southern California, Arizona, and Hawaii.
Since 2018, Wole has served on the University of California Riverside Foundation Board of Trustees and is the 2024 chair-elect of the board. In March 2024, he was also elected as a board member of the Denver Art Museum.
Beyond his professional career, Wole is a prolific collector of contemporary and modern art by Black artists across the globe. Through his collection, he hopes to leave a lasting legacy that promotes Black excellence and culture with viewpoints from Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Over the years, he has received multiple awards and recognitions, including: Most Influential Minorities in the Cable Industry by Cablefax Magazine (multiple years), Top Forty Under 40 in Central Ohio (2010), Luminary Award by the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) (2009), and Top 50 Under 50 Corporate Executive on the Move by Diversity MBA Magazine (2007).
Wole is the proud father of Daniel Bakare, a creative and business development professional based in Los Angeles, and Dawn Bakare, a marketing professional based in New York City.
About Wole Bakare
Wole Bakare has more than 25 years of experience in the cable and telecommunications industry and currently oversees operational performance for Spectrum’s West Region, covering Southern California, Arizona, and Hawaii.
Since 2018, Wole has served on the University of California Riverside Foundation Board of Trustees and is the 2024 chair-elect of the board. In March 2024, he was also elected as a board member of the Denver Art Museum.
Beyond his professional career, Wole is a prolific collector of contemporary and modern art by Black artists across the globe. Through his collection, he hopes to leave a lasting legacy that promotes Black excellence and culture with viewpoints from Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Over the years, he has received multiple awards and recognitions, including: Most Influential Minorities in the Cable Industry by Cablefax Magazine (multiple years), Top Forty Under 40 in Central Ohio (2010), Luminary Award by the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) (2009), and Top 50 Under 50 Corporate Executive on the Move by Diversity MBA Magazine (2007).
Wole is the proud father of Daniel Bakare, a creative and business development professional based in Los Angeles, and Dawn Bakare, a marketing professional based in New York City.
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Reach out with inquiries about scholarships, the Tilga Art Prize, or general collaboration opportunities.