The Black Builders Network Virtual Event, hosted by the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC), brought together a dynamic group of Black-owned businesses and community leaders and non-profits for an enriching session of updates, presentations, and networking opportunities with over 220 registrants and 70+ Attendees. Below are the highlights followed by an event summary.

Event Highlights

Key FBC Programs/Events Highlighted:

• Introduction to our Black Entrepreneurship Program (Registration Open for September 25th  English Launch)
• Black Entrepreneurship Francophone Networking Event (Sept 5th)
• Impact Gala Fundraising Event (Sept 21st)
• Student Support for Learning Program (Over $250,000 in bursaries distributed)

Black Builders Roadmap

• Black Builders Free and Premium memberships available
• Trusteeship Program for nonprofits and grassroots organizations
• Plans for more in-person events, conferences, and networking opportunities, including the Black Innovation Zone and other collaborations.
• Short-term goals include Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, and Facebook channels for community members to connect.

Presentations from our Premium Black Builders:

• Rachel Adjei, The AbibiMan Project: Celebrating African flavors through culinary experiences
• Erica Effah, Erica Tiwaa Agency: Content marketing and digital strategy services
• Tosin During, Beauty Braids and Beyond: Online beauty supply focused on education and accessibility
• Tresha Wallace & Norma Nicholson, Ubuntu Legacy Community Care: Wellness and social programs for Afro-Canadian seniors and youth

CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independent Business) Partnership through Black Builders:

• Get free access to CFIB (normally $400+) though our Black Builders Premium membership for $250 yearly
• Advocacy work, HR services, and savings programs for small businesses
• Importance of compliance, cybersecurity, and continuing education

Networking and Q&A:

Opportunities for collaboration and connection among attendees

Closing Remarks:

Emphasis on supporting Black Builders Network initiatives and staying connected through future events and programs

Full Meeting Slides: Black Builders Network Meeting- Aug 27th

Full Recording:  Zoom Link

 Full Event Summary

The Black Builders Network Connect event, hosted by the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC), brought together a dynamic group of Black-owned businesses and community leaders for an enriching session of updates, presentations, and networking opportunities with over 220 registrants and 70+ Attendees. The event opened with an introduction by Joshua Maharaj, FBC’s Business Development Manager and a program co-lead for the Black Builders Network. Joshua acknowledged the unceded and unsurrendered territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabe, Mississaugas of the Credit, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat peoples, emphasizing FBC’s commitment to decolonization and allyship with Indigenous organizations.

FBC Overview and Program Updates:

Chris Thompson, Executive Director of FBC, welcomed attendees and encouraged them to introduce themselves, share their cities, and promote their businesses in the chat, fostering a collaborative atmosphere. He provided an overview of FBC’s mission, highlighting their key pillars: health, criminal justice, lifelong learning, and employment development. Chris also discussed FBC’s Black Entrepreneurship Program, which supports early-stage entrepreneurs in understanding the business landscape, perfecting their pitches, and securing funding. Last year, the program distributed over $250,000 in bursaries across five provinces through the Student Support for Learning Program.

Chris emphasized FBC’s advocacy efforts, including their work on the National Justice Strategy and the Coalition on Human Rights Commission issues. He recognized the organization’s staff and board members across Canada, who play a crucial role in advancing FBC’s mission to support Black Canadians.

Black Builders Network Roadmap:

Joshua Maharaj outlined the strategic roadmap for the Black Builders Network, including the upcoming launch of the Trusteeship Program aimed at supporting nonprofits and grassroots organizations. He shared plans for more in-person events, conferences, and networking opportunities, such as the Black Innovation Zone and other collaborative initiatives. Short-term goals include creating dedicated channels on platforms like Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, and Facebook to enhance community connections. Joshua stressed the importance of staying connected through social media, newsletters, and email updates to keep the network engaged and informed.

Premium Black Builders Presentations:

The event featured presentations from several Premium Black Builders, showcasing their businesses and the impact of FBC’s support:

• Rachel Adjei from The AbibiMan Project shared her journey in celebrating African flavors through cooking workshops, pantry products, catering, and pop-up dinners. She highlighted the importance of community and culture in her business and the support she has received from FBC’s Black Entrepreneurship Program.
• Erica Effah from Erica Tiwaa Agency discussed her work in content marketing, offering services such as content strategy roadmaps, contracted content marketing, and her Strategy to Scale Academy. Erica spoke about her experience as a digital creator and marketing executive, noting the success of her agency in helping brands gain visibility and scale.
• Tosin During from Beauty Braids and Beyond introduced her online beauty supply retailer, which focuses on education, innovation, and accessibility. She shared the challenges Black women face in finding suitable hair care products, which inspired her to create Beauty Braids and Beyond. Tosin highlighted the company’s achievements, including participation in the FBC Black Entrepreneurship Program and community events, underscoring the importance of representation, customer service, and product knowledge in the beauty industry.
• Tresha Wallace and Norma Nicholson from Ubuntu Legacy Community Care presented their mission to enrich the lives of Afro-Canadian seniors and youth through tailored social programs, wellness initiatives, and intergenerational connections. Tresha, a nurse and health advocate, explained the inspiration behind the app’s name, “Ubuntu,” which embodies the spirit of community and shared humanity. Norma, focused on literacy and advocacy for Black youth, emphasized the app’s role in supporting families and keeping children out of the justice system. Both speakers called for collaboration and support to expand their efforts and improve community wellness.

CFIB Presentation and Q&A: 

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and FBC have partnered through our Black Builders Premium Membership to provide dual membership to both programs. With a typical membership to CFIB costing between $400-$500 at the minimum FBC are offering the membership as an inclusion in our Black Builders Premium Membership for $250 yearly.

Representatives from the (CFIB), Stéphane Bukk and Stephanie Louis, provided an overview of CFIB’s advocacy work, which includes efforts to reduce credit card fees, lower corporate tax rates, and implement other measures to support small businesses. They discussed the benefits of CFIB membership, such as access to business advisors, HR services, and savings programs. The session also covered the importance of compliance, cybersecurity, and ongoing education for small business owners. During the Q&A, the representatives addressed audience questions, including how non-members can subscribe to CFIB’s mailing list, and reiterated the value of CFIB membership for Black-owned businesses.

Closing Remarks and Networking:

In closing, Chris Thompson expressed his gratitude to the guests and speakers for their participation, emphasizing the importance of supporting the Black Builders Network and its initiatives. He encouraged attendees to stay connected with the FBC team and get involved in future events and programs. 

This event highlighted the Federation of Black Canadians’ commitment to fostering the growth of Black entrepreneurs and community leaders across Canada, providing a platform for collaboration, inspiration, and collective advancement.

About the Black Builders Network

The Black Builders Network is a Black Business and Nonprofit Resource Hub, your go-to destination for accessing a wide range of resources designed to support and empower black entrepreneurs, non-profits, and businesses.

If you’d like to connect with a member about FBC to learn more about our premium program please email joshua@fbcfcn.ca or message him on LinkedIn