Black Founders in Clean Technology
Certificate by Sheridan College
October 4th to December 6th, 2023
The First Canadian Cleantech Certificate
Be a part of history.

Credibility & Trust
Build your future in confidence with Sheridan College.
High-quality Education
Created by Black entrepreneurs for Black entrepreneurs to succeed.
One-Of-A-Kind
No other academic institution is offering such a course.
Support & Resources
Network with industry experts, established Black entrepreneurs.
Who is this Course For?
1.
Black entrepreneurs in the cleantech sector.
2.
Aspiring Black entrepreneurs looking for business success.
3.
Black intrapreneurs in the cleantech sector
4.
Black professionals looking to grow their networks within cleantech, connect with industry experts, and become part of an entrepreneurial community.
Why is this Course For you?

Benefit 1
Reflective and group coaching elements to build personal entrepreneurial endurance-focused on mindset, persistence, collaboration, confidence, wellbeing, self-awareness, relationship-building, resourcefulness.

Benefit 2
Curated guest speakers of Black Founders with relatable and inspiring personal experiences and demonstrated interest in being part of students’ ongoing networks of support.

Benefit 3
Engaging in Ubuntu learning, with roots in African ways of knowing and sharing, students will analyze the market potential of their business idea, craft a compelling value proposition and build networks with Black founders, funders and community resources to sustain personal, professional and venture development.
Meet The Team

SHEREEN ASHMAN: COURSE DEVELOPER LEAD
After surviving gun violence, Shereen honed her talents in social innovation. For over 15 years, she’s created workforce, business, cultural and educational programs to advance the socio-economic standing of Black youth/community in Toronto and the Caribbean.
Called on for her expertise in ideation, strategy & project management, Shereen has served in various roles in the non-profit and education space: Director of Operations, Program Manager, College Professor, Curriculum Developer, Trainer and Consultant. She’s the co-founder of: (1) The CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals, a Black-led/serving/ focused (B3) charity; (2) the All Out Campaign; and (3) Sistertalk Toronto. Her newest invention is SACCAE Studio, focused on Social Innovation.
As an Educator, Shereen is practiced in experiential and transformative learning pedagogy. She creates/ delivers immersive training related to: trauma-informed care, experiential healing, community-based education and business and non-profit development. Shereen has presented at conferences, educational institutions and community organizations addressing frontline, management and public officials.
Today, Shereen is completing a Masters in Education with a minor in educational policy at OISE, University of Toronto, to complement a Honors Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and a Social Service Worker Diploma.
Hands On Learning From Industry Experts
Chris-Beth Cowie is a dynamic and energetic visionary that inspires business owners to view entrepreneurship through the lens of culture, spirituality and wellness. She has held Business Mentor roles at Sheridan college and the City of Mississauga.
As an engaging professional speaker and trainer, Chris-Beth specializes in Leadership & Entrepreneurship, and stands at the forefront of the social enterprise industry as the CEO of Empowered 4x, a business training and consulting firm in Canada.
Ryan is a serial social entrepreneur currently helping businesses to increase their capacity and create assets to grow generational wealth.
Ryan is on a mission to increase the amount of successful social enterprises in the community while helping to amplify their impact with access to funding. He is also involved in empowering youth to create their own opportunities and become leaders in the community.
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
Centering and supporting Black Founders to develop new ventures in the cleantech sector, this 10 week certificate course aims to build the entrepreneurial endurance and business acumen to identify environmental challenges, innovate solutions with market potential and locate resources and relationships to startup/sustain a business.
Founders will engage in hands-on learning circles led by Black innovators to acquire practical skills and strategies, actioning them through accountability challenges, group coaching, self reflection and networking. In this way, sessions are experiential and holistic in design to support personal and professional growth alongside venture development.

How Will You Learn
We hope you’re ready for an incredible journey filled with inspiration, knowledge, and empowerment.
10 sessions facilitated on Wednesdays (6-9 pm) from October 4 to December 6, 2023, consisting of:
- Eight (8) skill and community-building sessions, each facilitated in 3-hour sessions divided into two 90 mins components. The first 90 mins will explore topics through community learning. The following 90 mins will offer practical, hands-on activities that build demonstrable skills related to the week’s topic.
- Two (2) self-directed activation sessions for founders to action materials with or without collaborative peer support
The first and last sessions are in person and hosted at the EDGE, Sheridan’s launchpad for impact ventures.
Learning Outcomes
Together, let’s shape a new era of Black entrepreneurs in cleantech and pave the way for a cleaner, brighter, and more prosperous tomorrow.