Black Builders Networking Event
Effective ways to leverage loans, grants and more.
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Join us on Tuesday, May 6th, from 5:30PM – 8:00 PM at Tower 2, Great Lakes Room (Meadowvale), Mississauga, for an exclusive networking and learning experience! This event brings together Black Builders, Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) graduates, and community members to celebrate achievements, gain valuable insights from industry experts, and connect with RBC leaders. Enjoy panel discussions, free food and networking opportunities designed to empower Black entrepreneurs.
Limited spots available—register now!
May 6th
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
6880 Financial Drive,
Mississauga, ON, Canada
Tower 2, Great Lakes Room (Meadowvale)
In-Person
Join!
Network and Learn from Industry Experts
Get ready for an inspiring event designed for Black Non-profits, community leaders and entrepreneurs, focused on networking, business growth, and financial empowerment. Engage in thought-provoking discussions on funding opportunities, banking solutions, and business development strategies. Hear from influential panelists, including RBC experts and industry leaders, who will share insights to help you succeed. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs in an interactive environment, fostering valuable relationships and opportunities. Plus, enjoy hearing success stories from our past BEP participants, networking sessions, and complimentary refreshments to make this a memorable and impactful experience.
Network
Learn
Giveaways
Meet
OUR HOST
Chris Thompson
Executive Director
Federation of Black Canadians (FBC)
Chris is a passionate advocate for Black communities across Canada, dedicated to building pathways to opportunity through leadership, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. He has over a decade of experience in the charity and non profit sector also being the founder and Executive Director of the charity @skills4lifeinc His commitment to community development and empowerment makes him the perfect guide for our inspiring conversations ahead.
Panelists
The Business Finance Panel
Lamar VanDusen
Canadian Entrepreneur and Financial Strategist
PFG Financial and PMG Accounting
Lamar VanDusen is a Canadian entrepreneur and financial strategist, founder of PFG Financial and PMG Accounting. With over 20 years of experience in accounting, tax strategy, finance, and consulting, he helps business owners scale smarter and stay compliant. His recent specialization focuses on providing tailored business solutions for franchise operators across Canada and the U.S. Lamar is a proud member of the Black Business Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. He’s a trusted voice in finance circles and a consistent advocate for transparency, growth, and real-world results.
Louise Spence
Manager of Business Markets
RBC
Louise Spence RBC Manager of Business Markets, RBC market leader, Joined RBC November 2007. She lead a best-in-class business team to maximize RBC’s position in the market and bring the best of RBC to businesses, their owners and their employees, via virtual or in-person, based on client preference. She is an advocate and prides herself in supporting black business owners and their employees. Louise manages and coaches RBC West Toronto Relationship Managers (RM) to demonstrate client stewardship and care in every decision and activity. She believes that demonstrating care for our business clients and analytical skills are fundamental and are also part of the building blocks of critical thinking.
Aditya Shah
Senior Relationship Manager
RBC
Aditya Shah is a Senior Relationship Manager at RBC. He will join the panel to speak on small business financing options and, obtaining bank financing.
Panelists
The BEP Panel
Margarette Leandre
Digital marketer
CharisMaggie TV
Margarette Leandre is a content creator, entrepreneur, and digital marketer with a passion for storytelling rooted in culture, community, and entrepreneurship. As a BEP grant recipient, she has built an engaged online community of over 40,000 followers and surpassed 1 million views across her platforms. Margarette has also helped clients collectively grow their audiences by over 500,000 followers through strategic and impactful digital campaigns.
Erica Effah
Founder & Content Marketing Strategist
Tiwaa Agency
Erica Effah is a Toronto-based content marketing professional with over eight years of experience in marketing and operations across non-profit and B2B tech spaces. Before founding Tiwaa Agency, she held leadership roles in marketing and business development at B2B SaaS startups and global supply chain companies, driving growth from seed stage to Series A. Now leading her content marketing agency, she has helped clients reach over 1.3 million accounts organically and sell out several events and festivals in the first year and a half of business, earning her a spot on Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch of 2024.
Nina Barango
Founder
SoPlugged
Nina Barango is a marketing professional and founder of SoPlugged, a platform supporting Black-owned businesses across Canada. With 5+ years of experience in brand strategy and creative production, she’s focused on bridging the visibility and access gap for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Through tools like directories, markets, and events, Nina is helping founders grow their businesses—and redefining what support looks like along the way.
Official Media Partner
Vendors
Want to Showcase Your Business?
Are you a Black entrepreneur looking to connect with your community and share what you do? We’re inviting a select number of businesses to set up a table at the Black Builders Networking Event. It’s a chance to build visibility, meet new customers, and grow your network—all in one evening.
📩 Interested? Email joshua@fbcfcn.ca to reserve your table.
Blog
Follow Along
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May 22, 2025 | Toronto, ON The Federation of Black Canadians (FBC) is proud to announce that we have officially received registered charity status in Canada. This marks a historic and transformational milestone in our journey toward advancing equity, opportunity, and...
Grants and Funding Opportunities—May 2025
Looking to secure funding for your community initiative, nonprofit, or business idea? Below are a few funding opportunities and programs currently open to Black-led, community-rooted, or small business initiatives across Canada. Whether you’re a grassroots organizer,...