Category: About ACBN

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Five years ago, while participating in entrepreneurial programs for Black youths, Ryan Knight and a group of other aspiring entrepreneurs saw a gap in scaling support for Black businesses in Canada. Black Youths graduated from the entrepreneur programs with nowhere to go for support to upscale their businesses, as Black focused organisasions were adamant that it was not within their mandate to help companies scale.

Not deterred, but inspired and charged to create this support entity for the Black youths, Ryan and six other entrepreneurs sat down to figure out what stage these youth businesses were in, and from that create a strategy to help them exponentially grow their businesses. From this group of visionary pioneers, ACBN was born.

ACBN’s mandate is to provide resources and opportunities that help Black business owners and operators to connect, build, grow, and achieve sustainability. We are committed to meeting and exceeding the business needs of our members, partners and other stakeholders. We continue to demonstrate this commitment through the implementation and enhancement of entrepreneurship programs and initiatives, designed to fuel wealth creation for all our stakeholders.

Our first year anniversary was held at the Chinguacousy Ski Chalet, and here we are 5 years later to commemorate our 5 year anniversary celebration of growth and successes, and looking at what another 5 years will look like.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#E5F1F9″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dsm_dual_heading before_text=”Our ” middle_text=”Success Stories” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”4103a07e-798f-4cf0-8b2d-735caed47c22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/dsm_dual_heading][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”d6652e58-e82e-4b80-ab80-a9850a474d92″ border_width_all=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”ACBN Legacy Symposiums” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]ACBN’s annual Legacy Symposium is a flagship program hosted in February of each year, from 2019. The symposium provides a space for entrepreneurs and those of like minds to build meaningful networking relationships, and engage in educational workshops. Business leaders/knowledge experts in the Black community are invited to make presentations and facilitate discussion workshops that enlighten and equip attendees with useful insights and resources to upscale their businesses. Attendees are inspired and motivated to embrace new ideas, and to discover effective ways to navigate their businesses to achieve growth and sustainability.
Micro Loan[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Micro Loan Program” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]ACBN in partnership with Alterna Savings established a micro loan program for Black entrepreneurs to access up to 25,000, to help with funding support for varying business needs. Loan applicants that do not qualify for loans are offered mentoring assistance to meet the loan criteria, with the added offer to join cohort training programs in writing viable business plans; implementing effective sales strategies; and feasible cash flow projections.[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Capacity Building Workshops” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]ACBN provided consultation and mentorship to members/entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses, through capacity building info sessions. The scheduled workshops were on Fund Development, Board Governance, Leadership, and Communication and Community relations.[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Grant Writing Info-Sessions” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Grant writing info sessions are provided bi-weekly for ACBN members and other stakeholders that require support in accessing and qualifying for available grants. The program engages attendees in discussions and provides a learning space for those that require grant assistance. Discussion topics range from Foundational Elements of a Grant; Budgeting; Creating your Work Plan; Research Tips; Time Management, and available grants for Not For Profit and For Profit organisations.[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”ACBN Entrepreneur Drop Ins” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]ACBN provides a space for entrepreneurial engagement through weekly drop-in sessions on Thursdays. Black business owners and operators are given the opportunity to meet with us; discuss where they are with their business operations and ideas; challenges encountered; general life happenings; and what support services they require from ACBN. The entrepreneurs are provided with resources and hyperlinks to access necessary service offerings and resource materials that will help them grow their businesses exponentially.[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”CMHC Affordable Housing” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]ACBN partnered with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to help ACBN’s members including Developers and Building Contractors in the Black community access and learn about funding programs that provide affordable housing opportunities. These include the Seed Funding, Co Investment, Mortgage, and Incentive Awards.[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”ACBN Diversity Job Fair 2020 & 2021″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]ACBN partnered with Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), to host our second Diversity Job Fair to open-doors for job placement and growth opportunities for the Black community at large. The JCA group of international Afro-Caribbean students and workers, engaged in a rewarding partnership that assisted members within the group with placement opportunities, and by extension adding significant value to the sustainability, and enhancement of the Black community.[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”ACBN Digital Marketing Workshops” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]ACBN partnered with MAPPDOM to host virtual workshops in Digital Marketing, for entrepreneurs and business leaders in the Black community. The aim of the program was to equip Black entrepreneurs and those of like minds with the requisite marketing skills and techniques to achieve ongoing success, through a diverse and comprehensive online Digital Marketing Program.[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”UBUNTU VR Project” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]ACBN launched this virtual program to help build mental health and community connectedness. The VR UBUNTU provides a space for people to participate and share in a virtual universe, in light of the social isolation and disconnectedness created for many by COVID19. The life-like peaceful and engaging virtual reality environment allows for community engagement, and one-to-one meditation and therapeutic counselling via the Cogni XR platform.[/et_pb_accordion_item][/et_pb_accordion][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

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The Black Ecosystem Program was created to meet the growth and development needs; fill existing gaps, and build stronger ties amongst Black entrepreneurs within the Canadian business society. Through the funding opportunities provided by the Federal Government, ecosystem members of the Black community are now in a better position to collectively upscale their businesses, and by extension contribute to the development of the aggregate community.

ACBN and funded partners have formed an ecosystem group of Black entrepreneurs in varying service industries, with the aim to achieve a unified vision of growth, collective efforts, increased visibility, and funding accessibility that leads to upscaling and sustaining Black businesses in Canada.

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Many strides and wins have been won through the Black Ecosystem Program. Here are some of the highlights:

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• Intergenerational Conversations Program [Youth Village Community Centre]
• Black in Cleantech Micro-credential Program [Sheridan College]
• Wellness Program [W.E.A.N.]

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• Successful three-day conferences were held at Dream Legacy Suite and Sheridan College.
• Relatively large turnout of supporters from the Black community, inclusive of funded organizations, other business owners and operators, and like-minded individuals with interest in entrepreneurship.
• Panel discussions with Black knowledge experts on essential topic areas relating to challenges and lack of necessary information that leads to gaps in the progress and sustainability of entrepreneurs, and general members of the community.

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• Entrepreneurs enrolled to participate in a 6-month pre-seed business accelerator program with pathways to optimize their businesses through training, support, mentorship, and opportunities to become investment ready.
• The program is designed to support Black entrepreneurs who are running their businesses for 2 or more years and are facing various issues including:
  • No business plan or business plan requires enhancement
  • They are experiencing a gap in their knowledge to develop the right infrastructure
  • Effective processes needed to reach new markets and sales targets for growth
• Supports Provided:
  • Business Plan Writing Support
  • Bespoke Sales Training
  • Access to Mental Health Support
  • Pre-Qualify for ACBN Micro Loan
  • Chance to Win ACBN Micro Grant

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• Funded organizations came together to strategically form a unified Black business structure. A weekly study group was formed to brainstorm, pool resources, and talents to build a sustainable and viable operational structure for all ecosystem members, and related stakeholders.
• The focus is to collectively pool resources inclusive of skillsets, expertise, like-minds, systems, service reach, funding channels, supply chains, and other essential service tools that will help to create a legacy for entrepreneurs in our Black community, utilizing a centralized communication and repository platform. The goal is to form our own cooperative of Black service providers that can tap into new sources for increased revenues, strengthen resource accessibility, and be better able to meet varying businesses’ needs on a wider scale, thus adding value to our Canadian society.

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Our emotional health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It also determines how we manage stress, relationships, and decision-making. There are many different factors that affect mental health and these factors are often very different in each individual. A recent study, “Going it Alone: the mental health and well-being of entrepreneurs in Canada” illustrated some stark statistics around mental health in entrepreneurs. The study found 62% of the respondents reported feeling depressed at least once per week. Nearly half further reported that their mental health issues interfere with their ability to work. Lastly, female entrepreneurs in the early stage of their business were more likely to report mental health issues. These statistics paint a grave picture for entrepreneurs.

In recognition of the challenges that entrepreneurs face, we have developed an innovative mental health program to address the specific short-term mental health needs of Black entrepreneurs. Our wellness program offers members access to up to four free mental health counseling sessions which are conducted by a registered mental health practitioner. The mental health practitioner is skilled and is able to provide you with confidential, convenient video counseling as well as virtual reality-based counseling. If you identify as an entrepreneur who is Black and is 18 years or older you can take advantage of this amazing program. Please contact wellness@acbncaada.com for more information.

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