Afro-Caribbean Business Network | Fireside Chat with Melizia Mensah, Managing Director, Sisters In Solidarity | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | Online
To begin with, Black women are among the most entrepreneurial people in Canada. They start businesses to support families, serve their communities and build something of their own. Still, when it comes to capital, mentorship and networks, they are too often the last to be invited in.
That gap is why funding for Black women entrepreneurs in Canada deserves its own conversation. In fact, research from FoundHers Labs, cited by the Government of Canada, found that 90% of Black women founders have never joined an accelerator or business program. In other words, most are building without the support systems others take for granted.
So on Wednesday, October 14, the Afro-Caribbean Business Network continues the Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference 2026 with a virtual fireside chat featuring Melizia Mensah, Managing Director at Sisters In Solidarity, on mentorship, access to capital and community for women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs.
Who Is Melizia Mensah?
Melizia leads Sisters In Solidarity, an organization dedicated to BIPOC women-led social purpose organizations across Canada. Her work centres on three things women and gender-diverse founders consistently say they need most: mentorship, access to capital and community.
Above all, she focuses on the systemic challenges facing Black women and underrepresented founders. That includes how funding decisions are made, who gets introduced to whom and why representation in leadership shapes who gets opportunities to grow.
Why This Conversation Matters for the Black Community
1. Black women are the backbone of Black entrepreneurship
At ACBN, 74% of the entrepreneurs in our network are women. Similarly, across Canada, Black women are launching businesses at remarkable rates. Therefore, closing the funding gap for Black women is not a side issue. It is central to building Black wealth in this country. (Read our Day 3 spotlight on Melisa Ellis and Black women in tech.)
2. Every one of the Four Strikes hits harder
We name the Four Strikes™ that hold Black entrepreneurs back: small teams, difficulty attracting talent, overconcentration in professional services and systemic barriers to capital, credit and networks. For Black women, those barriers often stack on top of caregiving responsibilities and gender bias. As a result, the path to growth can feel twice as steep.
3. Mentorship changes outcomes
Clearly, when most Black women founders have never joined a business program, mentorship becomes a powerful lever. A mentor can shorten the learning curve, open doors and offer the confidence to ask for more. That is why organizations like Sisters In Solidarity put mentorship at the centre of their work.
4. Capital follows clarity and connection
Of course, access to capital is the goal. However, funding comes more easily when a founder is prepared and connected. This is where ACBN’s 3C Framework™ comes in: Clarity → Connection → Capital. First, get clear on your numbers, documents and growth plan. Next, connect with mentors, peers and funders who understand your journey. Finally, access capital that fits your stage, starting with microloans and growing from there.
Built for women like you. ACBN’s Growth Pathway program walks you through the 3C Framework™ with coaching, community and a direct route to funding. We are welcoming 100 entrepreneurs into the program.
5. When she grows, the community grows
Ultimately, when a Black woman’s business thrives, the impact reaches her family, her employees and her neighbourhood. In short, investing in Black women entrepreneurs is one of the most powerful ways to build generational wealth.
What You Will Walk Away With
- The systemic barriers Black women and gender-diverse founders face, and how to navigate them
- How mentorship and community accelerate business growth
- Where to find funding and support designed for women founders
- How representation shapes who gets access to opportunity
- A live Q&A with a leader championing women-led organizations
Frequently Asked Questions
What funding is available for Black women entrepreneurs in Canada?
Options include microloans, grants and programs designed for women and Black founders. For example, ACBN offers microloans of $1,000 to $10,000 (up to $25,000 through Alterna Savings) along with coaching, and 74% of our entrepreneurs are women. In addition, national programs such as FACE and the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy offer further options.
How can I find a mentor as a Black woman entrepreneur?
Start with community organizations built for you. For instance, ACBN’s free weekly Drop-Ins connect you with experienced entrepreneurs and advisors. Organizations focused on women-led businesses, like Sisters In Solidarity, also offer mentorship and peer support.
I missed the live session. Can I watch the replay?
Yes. Replays of BEEConference sessions will be shared on the ACBN YouTube channel.
Join Us on Day 14
Day 14 continues a full month of workshops through October as part of the Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference 2026. So if you are a woman building something that matters, or you support one, this conversation is for you.
Fireside Chat with Melizia Mensah | BEEConference Day 14
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | Online
Can’t make it live? Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss a replay, workshop or conversation: youtube.com/@acbn_canada
Connect. Build. Grow.
