Get to Know Lohifa

Lohifa Pogoson Acker is an award-winning community leader, business owner and proud Hamiltonian. She is a long-term resident of Ward 8 where she lives with her husband and two children.

Lohifa is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025), Order of Hamilton (2023) and was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2020) for her work in building a successful business, volunteering and championing local causes.

As founder and hair artist of LoDidThat, Lohifa blends cultural heritage with modern techniques, creating hairstyles that celebrate diversity and individuality. Since 2021, she has been the go-to hairstylist for players of the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Before pursuing hairstyling full-time, Lohifa built a career in international development, focused on improving health systems in partnership with leading humanitarian organizations.

Deeply committed to community service, Lohifa founded Excel In Style, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Black and Racialized youth through hair care, education, styling and community support. The organization partners with HWDSB, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Hamilton Urban Core, Refuge HCNH, Ernest for Good and 70 stylists from 34 local salons and barbershops.

Lohifa serves on the boards of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and HWDSB’s Foundation for Student Success, and contributes her expertise to Empowerment Squared as an advisor to entrepreneurs and small business owners (SWOBEN). She has contributed to YWCA Hamilton’s Philanthropy and Communications Committee for the past 4 years. Lohifa brings her energy to the community as a speaker and MC for local events, supporting organizations like Goodwill Amity, Hamilton Business Centre, Empowerment Squared, The Westdale Cinema, United Way Hamilton Halton, Food4Kids and many more.

Lohifa’s interests are broad, encompassing health and wellness, education, youth development, and small business support. Her mission is to create a Hamilton where everyone can thrive and feel proud to call home.