TORONTO, CANADA / AGILITYPR.NEWS / November 18, 2020 / With Pandemic having hit Black business community particularly hard, BBPA, a hub for Canadian Black business, offers mentoring program to create better future for all Black businesses
As the wave of the pandemic continues to affect the Black community, Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) has taken the lead to positively position Black enterprises for post COVID recovery and success by launching the innovative new Business Advisory Implementation and Development Services (BAIDS). The program is designed to ensure a better future for the whole Black community.
The new mentorship thrust came about as BBPA, the Canadian hub for black businesses, recognized that the Pandemic has hit the Black business community particularly hard and out of proportion, with business closures, illness and economic hardship. The BBPA’s research, data and case studies drive its programs and solutions like BAIDS.
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has committed to supporting BAIDS for three years, which will incorporate the COVID era’s new challenges, with online meetings, seminars and conferences.
“At RBC, we’re committed to creating meaningful and transformative pathways to prosperity for the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) community with investments in areas such as skills development and mentoring,” said Kris Depencier, Regional President, Greater Toronto, RBC. “As such, we’re thrilled to support the Black Business and Professional Association on the leading work they are doing in this space.”
“This essential new program immediately deserves the support of the larger, mainstream business community as it provides avenues to a better future for Black businesses and professionals,” said BBPA president Nadine Spencer. “After COVID, the Black community will need a great deal of assistance in economic recovery. Black business success is our goal and we believe BAIDS will accomplish that.”
BBPA is drawing up its long-established entrepreneurial programs that target Black entrepreneurs and business professionals and with BAIDs has created a National Black Business hub to train and expand Black entrepreneurial capabilities. BAIDS, a one-of-a-kind program for the community, is a platform built through a realistic and cultural lens, to address the racial issues, lack of access to capital, information and networks. It will cater to small- and medium-sized businesses, single-owned or partnerships, family-owned or franchises. All Black business, with the zeal to scale up and thrive, will have access to BAIDS and its resources. Initially the target cohort size, dependent on funding, is expected to be 150 businesses.
BBPA said that seasoned experts will be employed in BAIDS’ various professional fields to deliver services and mentor businesses. Expression of interest will be solicited from qualified experts to facilitate program delivery as well as perform evaluations and impact studies to track, measure and report on the intended outcomes and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
“In an era of systemic racism and anti-black oppression, we must use every tool and resource to pull down and replace structures that limit Black empowerment,” Spencer added. “The challenge for most Black entrepreneurs lies in the fact that the owners are Black. These challenges, as well as lack of access to resources and capital, can be overcome through the thoroughly designed national BAIDS program. We look forward to reaching out to and working with entrepreneurs and business professionals all across Canada.”
In addition, RBC provided further funding to the on-going BBPA Financial Literacy program which targets youth aged 18-29, with the goal of improving their financial literacy and competencies. The Financial Literacy Program currently trains over 100 Black Youth across Canada in the science of personal financial management and wealth building.
To register for the BAIDS Program, click here. To inquire about supporting BBPA’s BAIDS Program and Financial Literacy Program, email communications@bbpa.org
About Us
Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA)
Founded in 1983, the BBPA is a charitable organization aimed at advancing Canada’s Black community by facilitating the delivery of programs supporting business and professional excellence, higher education, and economic development. The BBPA represents the interests of Black businesses and professionals throughout the national, and is involved in advocacy, training, communications, and leadership development. Along with workshops and programs at its downtown Toronto Centre of Excellence, the BBPA presents the annual Harry Jerome Awards, the BBPA National Scholarships, and the National Black Business Convention (NBBPC). For more information, please visit the BBPA at www.bbpa.org,
Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA)
Fondé en 1983, le BBPA est un organisme de bienfaisance qui vise à faire progresser la communauté noire du Canada en facilitant la prestation de programmes soutenant l’excellence commerciale et professionnelle, l’enseignement supérieur et le développement économique. Le BBPA représente les intérêts des entreprises et des professionnels noirs dans toute la région du Grand Toronto et est impliqué dans le plaidoyer, la formation, les communications et le développement du leadership. Outre des ateliers et des programmes dans son centre d’excellence du centre-ville de Toronto, le BBPA présente les prix annuels Harry Jerome, les bourses nationales BBPA et la Convention nationale des affaires noires (NBBPC). Pour plus d’informations, veuillez visiter le BBPA à www.bbpa.org,
Contacts
Ross Cadastre
Communications Director
communications@bbpa.org
Black Business & Professional Association (BBPA)
Phone: +1 416 504 4097