In Fall of 2020, AfroBiz.ca Team joined a round table discussion series for women to uncover problems & solutions to tackle the crisis facing Black women entrepreneurs in an already challenging system. While many plans are rolling out in 2021, the first call to action is a pitch competition with prizes in dollars and resources.
Building Solidarity and Collaboration to support African, Caribbean and Black Women Entrepreneurs during COVID-19 : Women's Round Table Series November 2020
This round table of profound visionaries in the Black Women Business community came together on a Zoom Live from all over Canada.
There were over 35 participants from various Black backgrounds and organizations which concluded in a fruitful discussion, revealed results from community research collaborations and created a frame for addressing the issues through the gender lens of the Black Canadian women.
A research study was conducted by
BBPA in partnership with
Ryerson University during the Spring/Summer 2020. The results were presented by Mohammed Elmi (RyersonU Researcher) and Nadine Spencer (President of BBPA). One of the findings was the existence of a gap for Black women in accessing resources and entering new spaces in business, compared to their male counterparts and other ethnic backgrounds.
The unity of women leaders in the industry is underway to provide and promote essential services and resources for Black Canadian Black businesswomen.
AfroBiz.ca launched a major project in December 2020 -
a
Black Owned Marketplace for Black businesses
where allies, supporters and promoters of Black business community can participate in three ways :
- Shop
on
AfroBiz.ca Marketplace
(the other marketplaces are already live in
USA ,
UK and
France);
- Become an Affiliate
and share your favourite Black-owned products with your friends, family or businesses who will benefit from joining
AfroBiz Network;
- Start your own Affiliate Program and have your own affiliates who can share their love for your products and also be featured on AfroBiz Marketplaces around the world.
This model was designed to solve some core issues in the Black business community and to create new opportunities, such as :
- The first network for Black business community of publishers, advertisers and marketplace in Canada;
- Women are the greater demographic of shoppers and supporters for other Black owned business with many women groups and Black business groups across Canada and United States -
AfroBiz Affiliate Network
allows the promoter to be incentivized to promote their favorite brand;
- African descents can unite through business partnerships and collaborations building a sustainable Black business community.
Training sessions and dedicated account managers are available to support participants with bi-monthly Q&A meetings for Affiliates.
Black women in business seeking funds for their project are encouraged to participate in the event mentioned below and share with other Black women ready to launch or grow their business.
A message to Black Women Entrepreneurs from the Co-organizers of RiseUp Pitch Competition :
We are so excited to share a new opportunity for Black women entrepreneurs:
The Rise Up Pitch Competition and Program.
The event is co-organized by
The Black Business Professional Association,
Casa Foundation, and
de Sedulous Women Leaders
with support from
Business Development Bank of Canada,
Bank of Montreal,
Loblaw Companies Limited and the
Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
(WEKH).
RiseUpPitch.ca
has been designed to help Black women entrepreneurs develop key skills with the opportunity to build their community, networks and receive the support they need to succeed - all at no cost.
The program culminates in a live pitch competition and includes ten different award categories representing various sectors, business and life stages.
Both financial and non-financial prizes are awarded to the winners
with
$80,000
in awards plus essential business resources on the line.
Each award winner and runners up will also have the opportunity to be featured in the nation-wide WEKH
See It. Be It.
campaign.
Black women at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey are encouraged to apply before January 13. Learn more about it on
RiseUpPitch.ca
