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We've been sharing all the incredible moments at Black Entrepreneurs & Businesses of Canada Society (BEBC) over the past few days with you. As we conclude this journey, let's take a moment to look back at where it all began—from a dream to reality, and now, celebrating those who carried the day with their innovative ideas and hard-earned prizes. At our nationwide Black Pitch Contest, we rewarded remarkable Black entrepreneurs from Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. This achievement is monumental! Congratulations to all the participants and winners who have inspired us with their vision and perseverance. Competition was fierce, with over 230 contestants vying for the $25,000 top prize. More than 33,000 people participated in the public voting round, culminating in an exciting live pitch session by the top 5 finalists at the Black Business Summit in Vancouver. It was interesting to see a traction of over 200,000 unique views for your pitches which was simply fantastic! This event is a testament to our ongoing commitment to combat racial barriers to business funding. A huge congratulations to our incredible winners: Nanette Sene of Juno Technologies took home the first prize, and Walid BABA - MOUSSA, P. Eng. and Djalil Baba-Moussa, P. Eng. secured a surprise prize still in first place from Black Opportunity Fund. BOF additionally awarded $2500 to the other three contestants. Evans Osei of Work and Chill ,Stephane Beaulne of Komino, and Mwenda Dyck of @south central greens. We want to acknowledge these three other finalists who pitched amazing ideas that will make a significant impact in the industry and were able to take home at least $6500 each. Your courage and vision to change the world is a great example. To all the contestants who participated, there would be no summit without your brilliant business ideas and unwavering determination. For those who didn’t make it to the top 5, keep going! Your journey is just beginning, and we believe in your potential. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. To our top five finalists, we applaud your hard work and dedication. The future is bright, and we can’t wait to see where your entrepreneurial journeys take you! We are now gearing up for next year, and we will let you know as soon as we have our dates. #BlackBusinessSummit #Entrepreneurship #DiversityInBusiness #Innovation #Community

Black Women-Led RICE Is Now The Largest Entrepreneurial Hub In The Nation The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) offers a myriad of growth programs for Black entrepreneurs. BY JASMINE BROWLEY · Black entrepreneurs have widely been underfunded, under-resourced and represented across various sectors. Now, a hub specifically dedicated to the empowerment of Black business owners is now among the largest in the world with that driving mission, and it’s being led by Black women. The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) recently announced the appointment of Shawn M. Graham, CPA, as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer along with Monica Delores Hooks, MBA, EDP, as Chief Experience Officer, per a news release. Launched in 2018, RICE was created as a business incubator to galvanize and support local African-American entrepreneurs as they grow, scale and create jobs through their endeavors. This recent milestone is a testament of the teams efforts. “Atlanta instills a profound sense of pride and responsibility,” says Monica Delores in a statement. “At RICE, we’re building a community that provides founders with the comprehensive support I once only dreamed of. It’s an honor to contribute to the narrative of Black excellence and innovation in the city that shaped me.” Shawn M. Graham, who previously worked with National Black MBA Association, Inc. (NBMBAA) also joins RICE to ensure its continued growth. Among many programs, one of RICE’s marquee offerings is its Supply Chain Accelerator, which focuses on contract readiness and connection with government contract opportunities. “I’m thrilled to lend my skills to RICE’s empowering mission,” Shawn said in a statement. “Our goal is to provide a solid platform for Black entrepreneurs to excel, reshaping the business landscape with innovative and sustainable strategies.” #StartupToScaleUp #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Changemakers #LearningFromTheBest #entrepreneurship #BusinessOwners #diverseentrepreneurs #diversityandinclusion #Entrepreneurs #disabled #business #NYAE2024 #neurodiversity #businessprogram #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia #Dyscalculia #ADHD

Who said Black tie means tuxedo and bow-tie?! Pulled up at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards & Community on Monday to celebrate being named in the finalist category of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the London region. Entrepreneurship is, and should continue to be, recognised as the bedrock of the country’s economy. 📈SMEs represent the employment of around 16 million people in the UK, with this number currently growing at a rate that is 3x faster than for big corporations. 💷The small business arena makes a hugely significant contribution to the UK economy, forming 98% of private sector businesses. And despite there being an intrinsic link between the need to find opportunity and self-starting, barriers to successful entrepreneurship still remains. 📉Disabled-run businesses account for 25% of registered businesses, but only 9% of turnover. 👎67% of Black founders have been discriminated against across various areas of their business journey. 🪙For every £1 invested in businesses, only 2p goes to a female-founded business. There are so many systemic barriers that exist in preventing entrepreneurship becoming a level playing field for all. So here’s us being loud about our heritage. I think Hayel being Ghanaian might have prevented us from taking the W in our category though 👀😂 Big applause to Francesca James and team for a great event and a huge cheers to all the self-starters, dreamers, innovators and business owners that sacrifice their sanity to turn opportunity and ideas into realities.

August is National Black Business Month, a time to celebrate the incredible achievements of Black entrepreneurs! 💪🏾 IDC® is proud to be a Black-owned business committed to creating a more inclusive world. We believe in the power of collective action to drive change and economic empowerment. IDC® draws inspiration from figures like Leah’s grandfather, John H. Clay, a Philadelphia lawyer appointed by President Nixon to serve on the inaugural Advisory Council for Minority Business Enterprises. The council's work on the first Survey of Minority Business Enterprise helped shine a light on the economic disparities faced by minority communities, which remains a key component of DEIA efforts today. Let’s continue to build upon these legacies and create a brighter future for Black-owned businesses! #NationalBlackBusinessMonth #BlackOwnedBusiness #SupportBlackBusinesses #DiversityandInclusion #DEI #BlackExcellence #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness

Exploring the rise of Black entrepreneurship, this article highlights five organizations supporting Black youth in developing business skills. From the Black Girl Ventures Foundation to the Center for Black Entrepreneurship, these initiatives are fostering creativity, innovation, and leadership among young Black individuals. #blackentrepreneurs https://lnkd.in/en5DdjN9

I recently completed a module on Entrepreneurship as part of my MPhil at Bayes Business School (which was excellently led by Nettra Pan 👁). My assignment involved designing a mixed-method study to explore the intersection of race and gender and the concepts of trust and competency. The study aimed to investigate how implicit racial biases and attitudes linked to these concepts could affect investment opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. There is a pressing need for more empirical research on these critical issues. If you meet Vanessa Brown's criteria, do consider connecting with her. #BlackInAcademia #Entrepreneurhip #EquityDiversityInclusion

Are you a Black entrepreneur in Atlantic Canada looking grow your business? The START program is for YOU. Join this 10 week program and get access to the resources you need to take your startup to the next level. This program empowers aspiring Black founders with the tools and support they need to succeed. You will master essential business skills through expert coaching and training, and build lasting relationships with other Black entrepreneurs and business leaders. Join now: https://buff.ly/3wS2v13 #BlackInnovation #BlackEntrepreneurs

🚀 Being a Black/African American Founder: There’s No Script, You MUST Operate by Faith & Not by Sight 🚀 As a young black founder, you MUST go over and beyond. Now this is the case for every founder of course, but challenges are still in place today, and the hurdles are taller. Simply put, the number of black founders, successful ones are very slim, so essentially there is no room for error. Partnership opportunities are van guarded, and for this reasons and many more faith is so important. Every day is a new adventure with no predefined path. You must be adaptable, ready to pivot under any circumstances. It’s about being an innovator, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Leadership isn’t just a title; it’s a commitment to guiding your team through uncharted waters, inspiring and motivating them every step of the way. And hard work? That’s the foundation. It’s the relentless drive to keep going, even when the going gets tough. I am proud to say that I am the Co-Founder of AlgoPear, soon to be #1 embedded invest tech solution for #CreditUnions and #CommunityBanks to serve the next generation. To all the founders out there: keep innovating, keep leading, and keep pushing. The journey is challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable. 🌟 #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Innovation #HardWork #StartupLife

Thank you, Daniel Smith, MBA for sharing this poignant and powerful tribute to Wally Amos and the ongoing struggle for equitable funding in the Black entrepreneurial community. ✨ Wally Amos is not just remembered for the cookies he created; he embodies the spirit of resilience that so many Black entrepreneurs demonstrate every day. His journey illustrates the highs of innovation and success, as well as the lows that can arise from systemic barriers to funding and support. It’s a narrative that serves as both an inspiration and a clarion call for action. The alarming statistic that Black founders received only 0.32% of all venture capital in the first half of 2024 starkly highlights the challenges that persist. This decline from 1.30% in 2022 is not merely numbers; it reflects real people, businesses, and dreams that are stifled due to a lack of access to necessary resources. These statistics demand our attention and action. Imagine the impact Wally could have had—and the generations of entrepreneurs that could be cultivated—if equitable funding had been the norm. It's essential that we not only remember Wally Amos for his contributions but also advocate for systemic changes that ensure Black entrepreneurs receive the support they need to thrive. Programs like the Ingredients for Success grant and the initiatives spearheaded by U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. are stepping stones toward nurturing talent and fostering a vibrant ecosystem where Black businesses can flourish. We must pledge our support to these initiatives, as they pave the way for future Black innovators. As we honor Wally's enduring legacy, let us commit ourselves to action and advocacy. When we advocate for equitable funding and support systems, we honor not just Wally’s struggle but the struggles of countless Black entrepreneurs who aspire to build their legacies. Together, we can help ensure that all entrepreneurs—regardless of their background—have the resources they need to succeed. Let’s rally behind equitable funding, amplify Black voices, and create a future where every entrepreneurial dream has the opportunity to become a reality. 🖤 #EquityInFunding #SupportBlackBusinesses #LegacyOfWallyAmos #Resilience #Entrepreneurship

Wowed by the UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (BBEC)! Big shout out to Dr Carlton Brown for the nudge to attend this phenomenal event! Let me tell you, it far exceeded expectations. The calibre of speakers was top-notch, the content absolutely on point, and the diverse food selection – a true celebration in itself! But what truly blew me away was the palpable energy in the room. Meaningful conversations sparked like wildfire, and innovation was definitely the centrepiece. ✨ BBEC truly embodies its mission. The team, led by the ever-humble trailblazer Dr Carlton Brown himself, fostered an environment of open, impactful dialogue that transcended boundaries. This is exactly what we need to create a powerful new narrative in business! ✊ Here's why BBEC is a must-attend for any aspiring or established Black entrepreneur (or anyone passionate about DE&I!): Insights Galore: Dive deep into the latest research and gain invaluable knowledge from industry experts. Connection is Key: Network with accomplished entrepreneurs and build relationships that will propel your business forward. Actionable Inspiration: Leave equipped with practical strategies to challenge the status quo and create a more equitable society. Beyond Business: Diversity and Inclusion, as Dr. Brown eloquently stated, isn't just morally right, it's SMART business! This conference isn't just about inspiration, it's about empowerment. BBEC equips attendees with the tools and connections to turn intentions into tangible success stories. I left feeling motivated, informed, and deeply connected to a community that's actively changing the game. If you're looking to be a part of something truly transformative, mark your calendars for the next BBEC! You won't regret it. #BBEC #Empowerment #DEI #BlackExcellence Also added a cheesy picture of some of the CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) Team at the event Remi Iyun Nicole Skerritt Aisha Abdullahi Sabrina Seglah Also enjoyed running into some colleagues in the industry again Mayank Shah Reshma Sheikh Nedra Dickson Theresa Harrison Byron Dixon OBE Lord Dr Michael Hastings CBE Michelle Raymond Georgina Wilson FRSA Nicola M.