Afro-Caribbean Business Network | Fireside Chat with Fiyin Obayan, Co-Founder of Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan | Friday, October 9, 2026 | Online
People do business with people they know, like and trust. Yet many talented Black entrepreneurs stay invisible, quietly doing great work while others with louder stories win the contracts.
That is why personal branding for Black entrepreneurs matters so much. In fact, your story is one of your most valuable business assets. When you tell it well, it opens doors to customers, partners, media and funders who might never have found you otherwise.
So on Friday, October 9, the Afro-Caribbean Business Network continues the Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference 2026 with a virtual fireside chat featuring Fiyin Obayan, co-founder and board leader of the Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (BPES), on community building, storytelling and personal branding.
Who Is Fiyin Obayan?
Fiyin is a Saskatoon-based entrepreneur, community builder and artist. First, she is the Founder and CEO of Okiki Consulting, a bilingual company that helps brands grow through strategic storytelling and video. In addition, she delivers training and workshops for nonprofits and supports organizations such as the Open Door Society’s Women’s Business Hub, Community Futures and the Truly Alive Foundation.
She is also an accomplished jazz and gospel vocalist. For example, she has performed at the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, and her 2024 single earned radio airplay and international placements. Most recently, she was selected for the BAEP 2026 Export Program.
In other words, Fiyin lives what she teaches. As an artist and a business owner, she knows that a clear, authentic story is what makes people pay attention.
Inside BPES: Building Community on the Prairies
As a co-founder of BPES, Fiyin also helped build a home for Black professionals and entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan. Today, that work includes the BPES Community Hub in Saskatoon, a space for community builders, entrepreneurs and changemakers to meet and work.
Moreover, the organization is growing fast. In May 2026, the Government of Canada announced nearly $1.4 million for BPES to deliver a Procurement Readiness Program and an AI and Digital Innovation Program. Over four years, BPES expects to serve at least 300 businesses, train 400 participants and help create, maintain or expand at least 100 Black-owned businesses in the province.
This investment expands access to the tools, support, and opportunities needed to navigate complex systems and build sustainable success. (BPES Board)
Why This Conversation Matters for the Black Community
1. If they cannot see you, they cannot choose you
Admittedly, many Black entrepreneurs are excellent at their craft but uncomfortable promoting themselves. Unfortunately, the market rewards visibility. A strong personal brand makes sure the right people know who you are, what you do and why you are the best choice.
2. Networks are one of the Four Strikes
At ACBN, we name the Four Strikes™ that Black entrepreneurs face: small teams, difficulty attracting talent, overconcentration in professional services and systemic barriers to capital, credit and networks. Notably, the network barrier is one that storytelling and community can break. Each authentic connection you make expands the circle of people who can refer you, hire you or invest in you.
3. Community matters even more where we are fewer
In Saskatchewan, for instance, Black entrepreneurs are building in a smaller community than in Toronto or Montreal. As a result, organizations like BPES become lifelines for connection, mentorship and opportunity. Their success is a reminder that strong Black business communities can thrive anywhere in Canada. (Read our Day 2 spotlight on building a home for Black innovators for another example.)
4. Your story strengthens your funding case
After all, funders and lenders do not only read numbers. They also want to understand who you are and why your business matters. This is where ACBN’s 3C Framework™ comes in: Clarity → Connection → Capital. First, get clear on your story, your value and your numbers. Next, use that story to build real connections. Finally, bring a compelling, well-prepared case to the people who fund growth.
Ready to tell your story and grow your business? 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. Creativity is a business skill
Finally, Fiyin’s path shows that art and entrepreneurship are not separate worlds. Rather, the skills of an artist, like storytelling, performance and emotional connection, are exactly what great brands are built on. And once your story is clear, the right technology for your business helps you share it further.
What You Will Walk Away With
- How to define and share your personal brand with confidence
- How storytelling and video can attract customers and partners
- Why community building is a growth strategy, not just a nice extra
- How Black entrepreneurs are building strong networks across the Prairies
- A live Q&A with an entrepreneur, artist and community builder
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Black entrepreneurs build a personal brand?
To begin with, get clear on what you do, who you serve and what makes you different. Then, share your story consistently on the platforms where your customers spend time, using video, photos and real client results. Over time, consistency builds recognition and trust.
What is BPES?
The Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (BPES) is a community organization that supports Black professionals and business owners in Saskatchewan through networking, programs and its Community Hub in Saskatoon.
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 9
Day 9 continues a full month of workshops through October as part of the Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference 2026. So if you are ready to be seen, heard and chosen, this conversation is for you.
Fireside Chat with Fiyin Obayan | BEEConference Day 9
Friday, October 9, 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.
