2024 Second Quarter Newsletter

Letter From Executive Director

Fellow Canadians,

The Federation of Black Canadians (FBC) has made remarkable progress in enhancing economic security, education, and health within Black communities. Over the past year, we have supported over 60 new Black entrepreneurs and distributed more than $37,000 in financial aid to Black Canadians. We are excited to announce that our new French BEP cohort, debuted on August 8th, with close to 30 new registrants. Our education initiatives have also been impactful, providing thousands of dollars in scholarships to hundreds of students. Additionally, our presence at the 2024 Collision workshop celebrating Black Innovation was a tremendous success. The pre-event attracted around 150 attendees, the main workshop saw 70 participants, and the after-party drew over 200 attendees. Thank you for being a part of our journey. Together, we are making a difference!

In solidarity,

Chris Thompson

Executive Director,

Federation of Black Canadians

P.S. Tickets to our Impact Gala Fundraiser in September are selling out quickly!

Spotlighting Our Black Entrepreneurship Program Graduate: Erica Tiwaa

We are thrilled to spotlight Erica Tiwaa, a graduate and winner of our pitch competition for our Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) and the Founder and Content Strategist at Erica Tiwaa Agency. Erica (Calgary AB), has been a trailblazer taking every opportunity she has to grow her business.

Her content marketing agency is dedicated to helping early to mid-stage direct to consumer (D2C), non-profit, tech, and service-based businesses develop strategic content to get visible and scale.

As a BEP alum and part of our premium Black Builders Network we gifted her a free ticket to Collision to network and showcase her business. She has now scaled her business to 5 employees headlining the marketing for international events! She was also able to join us in our panel discussion sharing her expertise at the Collision panel alongside other individuals like our Executive Director, Chris Thompson, highlighting innovative strategies for enhancing online presence. For more about Erica Tiwaa, visit (https://ericatiwaa.com)

PHAC: Advancing Health Equity: Key Outcomes of the Black Health Defence Project in Canada

The Federation of Black Canadians (FBC) is proud to share the significant progress and impact of the Black Health Defence Project, a vital initiative aimed at advancing health equity and promoting vaccination awareness within Black communities across Canada. Below are the key highlights and outcomes of the project:

Community Engagement and Impact

The Federation of Black Canadians engaged various Black community groups, including the AssureUs Club, Kenya Lethbridge 2023 Association, and Restore International Foundation. Through strategic micro-grants to help support these community groups in creating meaningful discourse. FBC addressed healthcare disparities and empowered individuals with knowledge about routine vaccinations.

Vaccine Mapping and Awareness Campaign

A cornerstone of the project was the vaccine mapping and awareness campaign. By disseminating accurate information and dispelling myths surrounding vaccinations, FBC significantly increased access to vaccination services and reduced vaccine hesitancy within Black communities, particularly focusing on influenza vaccines.

Collaborative Partnerships

Collaborations with Digital Partner Square (DPS) and the Global Hub Innovation Lab (GHIL) further strengthened the project’s impact. These partnerships facilitated continued support and resources, amplifying FBC’s reach and delivering tailored initiatives to meet community needs effectively.

‘Equity in Healthcare’ Event

The project culminated in the ‘Equity in Healthcare’ event, organized by FBCs. This event brought together industry experts, community members, and stakeholders to foster dialogue and share best practices on healthcare advocacy, including routine vaccinations. The event served as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration, advancing FBC’s goals and promoting equity in healthcare.

Lessons Learned and Challenges

FBC encountered challenges such as access barriers, misinformation, and resource constraints. However, lessons learned emphasized the importance of tailored approaches, collaborative efforts, continuous engagement, and flexibility in addressing healthcare disparities and promoting health equity within Black communities.

Empower Your Business Dreams: Join Our French or English Cohorts for Black Entrepreneurs!

FBC is launching a new service for Premium Black Builders: Trusteeship and grant-writing consultations for grassroots organizations. Larger grants often require grassroots organizations to have a trustee to manage funds and reporting. Additionally, we will offer grant-writing consultations to assist Premium Black Builders with their applications. Benefits of having a trustee include strategic leadership, access to expertise and networks across various fields, increased credibility and trust with donors and stakeholders, financial stewardship, advocacy for the organization’s mission, and enhanced operational efficiency.

For more information, please email joshua@fbcfcn.ca.

Recap: FBC’s “Scaling Your Business” Capacity Building Webinar

FBC held the webinar “Scaling Your Business,” hosted by Justina Kanza, Founder of Okwera Academy, the event offered valuable insights into entrepreneurship. Justina shared tips for new business owners, her journey from Zambian immigrant to accomplished entrepreneur, and the importance of resilience and leveraging unique experiences.

FBC Celebrates New Role as Organizational Mentor for Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Youth Opportunity Fund

The Ontario Trillium Foundation has recognized FBC as an organizational mentor for grassroots groups applying for the Youth Opportunity Fund. This accolade highlights FBC’s commitment to community development and youth empowerment. As a mentor, FBC will provide administrative, budget, and project delivery support to ensure the success of youth initiatives across Ontario. Stay connected via our social media channels for updates on supported projects and future opportunities.

The Black Innovation Zone

This June, the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC) collaborated with Black-led/Black serving organizations paving the way for Black Canadian entrepreneurs through the Black Innovation Zone (BIZ). At Collision Conference 2024 in Canada, BIZ convened leading figures from the Black business ecosystem, providing a platform for innovators to connect, share ideas, and inspire the next generation of Black entrepreneurs.

The Black Innovation Zone is powered by a coalition of impactful organizations:

• FBC: Advocates for the interests of Canadians of African descent.
• The Black Founders Network (BFN): Empowers Black entrepreneurs through mentorship and access to capital.
• Nobellum: Accelerates Black-owned businesses with essential tools and support.
• Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA): Fosters a vibrant Black entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Black Opportunity Fund: Invests in high-potential Black-owned businesses.
• BlackNorth Initiative: Provides support and advocacy for Black businesses.
• Tribe Network: Connects Black professionals across industries.
• African Impact Initiative: Bridges Canada and Africa through collaboration.
• DMZ: Leading tech startup incubator supporting Black founders.

Canadian Human Rights Commission Under Investigation by International Body Over Anti-Black Discrimination

FBC’s Role in Advocacy

The Federation of Black Canadians (FBC) is a member of a coalition formed in 2023 to combat systemic discrimination at the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the wider public service of Canada. In February 2024, the coalition filed a formal complaint against the CHRC at the Global Alliance for Human Rights Institutions, leading to the unprecedented decision by the UN-affiliated body to review the CHRC’s human rights accreditation in June 2024. The coalition also welcomed the appointment of a new Chief Commissioner after two years of the CHRC being without a permanent leader.

The coalition partners include:

• National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)
• Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE)
• The Enchanté Network
• Red Coalition
• Federation of Black Canadians (FBC)
• Black Canadians Civil Society Coalition (BCCSC)
• Black Class Action Secretariat (BCAS)
• 613-819 Black Hub

FBC remains committed to advocating for systemic change and ensuring that all Canadians are treated equitably. We encourage our community to stay informed and engaged in these critical issues as we continue to push for justice and equity. For more information click here to view the press release.