Afro Caribbean Business Network

Tag: black canada

  • Building Financial Resilience in Canada: Why Income Isn’t the Only Measure of Financial Health in Canada with Eloise Duncan

    Building Financial Resilience in Canada: Why Income Isn’t the Only Measure of Financial Health in Canada with Eloise Duncan

    Recently, we sat down with Eloise Duncan, CEO and Founder of the Financial Resilience Institute, to discuss the urgent state of financial resilience in Canada. With 25 years of consulting experience and a commitment to advancing economic equity, Eloise and her team are reframing how we measure and support financial health—beyond just income.

    The Power of the Index

    Recognizing a massive gap before the pandemic, Eloise created the Seymour Financial Resilience Index (SFRI)—a tool that measures a household’s ability to withstand financial hardship from unexpected shocks like divorce, disability, or job loss.

    This independent model gives policymakers, financial institutions, and businesses the data they need to target support where it’s needed most. For entrepreneurs in the ACBN network, the SFRI is a powerful lens to design better services, employee programs, and customer solutions.

    Key Insights for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

    1. Financial Vulnerability Exists at All Income Levels

    Earning a high salary or having a strong credit score doesn’t always mean financial stability. The Index shows vulnerability across every income group, often tied to behavior or lack of social capital.

    Action step: Build solutions that address financial habits and support systems—not just income brackets.

    2. Data Can Unlock Targeted Support

    The SFRI highlights clear differences between groups, such as millennial women vs. Gen X women, or single-parent households vs. others.

    Action step: Move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. Tailor financial products, wellness programs, and tools to meet the real needs of distinct community segments.

    3. Measure Your Impact Over Time

    The Index allows businesses to benchmark and track changes in financial resilience, showing whether interventions—like wellness programs or customer tools—are making a difference.

    Action step: Use longitudinal data to prove the value of your programs and justify further investment.

    4. Canadians Want Empowerment, Not Pity

    Seventy-five percent of Canadians want to understand and improve their financial resilience. People are working hard, even under pressure.

    Action step: Provide accessible tools that empower individuals and families. The Institute’s new free score tool is one example of how to meet this demand while opening doors for partnerships.

    5. Collaboration is Key to Real Change

    Inflation, rising housing costs, and food insecurity make this a critical moment for collective action. The Institute offers tiered pricing for subscriber reports to make its data widely accessible.

    Action step: Partner with values-aligned organizations to amplify your impact and ensure that support reaches those who need it most.

    Final Word: Building a More Resilient Canada

    Income is only one part of the picture. By leveraging robust data, entrepreneurs can design programs that strengthen both individuals and communities, creating long-term financial well-being.

    🎥 Watch the full interview with Eloise Duncan here: YouTube Interview

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: Join ACBN

  • When Elders Speak: Leadership Lessons from Baba Malik Yakini on Black Entrepreneurial Resilience

    When Elders Speak: Leadership Lessons from Baba Malik Yakini on Black Entrepreneurial Resilience

    At the Afro-Caribbean Business Network, we believe wisdom is capital. Through our series When Elders Speak, we share conversations that help entrepreneurs ground their businesses in values that last.

    Recently, we sat down with Baba Malik Yakini, a Detroit-based pioneer whose decades of leadership span food security, cooperative economics, and community empowerment. As the Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN), Baba Malik has overseen transformative initiatives such as the seven-acre D-Town Farm, youth development programs, and the Detroit Food Commons—home of the community-owned, Black-led Detroit People’s Food Co-op.

    His message is clear: resilient businesses and communities require vision, alignment, and institution building. For Black entrepreneurs, his insights are a blueprint for both personal and organizational longevity.

    Key Leadership Lessons for Black Entrepreneurial Resilience

    1. Align Mission with Spiritual Purpose

    True success comes when leadership decisions align with what is just, balanced, and right. Baba Malik reminds us that spiritual grounding ensures organizations stay true to their core mission.

    Takeaway: Regularly ask yourself—are my products, partnerships, and operations aligned with my values and long-term destiny?

    2. Transition from Soldier to General

    With time, leaders must shift from frontline execution to guiding strategy, mentoring, and transferring knowledge. Baba Malik calls this the evolution from “soldier” to “seasoned general.”

    Takeaway: Entrepreneurs should document their experiences and build systems for passing lessons forward. This ensures your business thrives beyond your direct involvement.

    3. Value Wisdom and Foresight

    Elders provide accumulated wisdom that helps avoid repeating mistakes. Their foresight is a critical compass for sustainable growth.

    Takeaway: Invite experienced voices into your advisory circles. Wisdom from decades past strengthens decisions for decades ahead.

    4. Practice Self-Determination (Kuji Chagalia)

    From farming to food co-ops, Baba Malik stresses the importance of defining success on your own terms. External systems often push short-term gains, but self-determined strategies create lasting independence.

    Takeaway: Shape business models that serve your community’s needs first, not just outside pressures.

    5. Build Institutions That Outlast You

    The Detroit People’s Food Co-op isn’t just about groceries—it’s about creating structures that guarantee self-reliance for generations.

    Takeaway: Think beyond transactions. Build organizations, co-ops, and partnerships designed to stand long after your tenure.

    In Closing

    Baba Malik Yakini’s legacy teaches that leadership is about more than growth—it’s about continuity, accountability, and building institutions that strengthen future generations.

    Watch the full interview to hear Baba Malik’s wisdom on leadership and Black entrepreneurial resilience:
    👉 Watch on YouTube

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business:
    https://acbncanada.com/membership/

  • AI for Small Business Growth: How Dwayne Matthews is Helping Entrepreneurs Secure Economic Power

    AI for Small Business Growth: How Dwayne Matthews is Helping Entrepreneurs Secure Economic Power

    At ACBN, we live by the proverb “I am because we are.” It is through collective knowledge and shared insight that we uncover opportunities to thrive. Recently, we sat down with Dwayne Matthews—global education consultant, UN-recognized leader, and one of the foremost voices on the future of work—to unpack how AI for small business growth can transform our community’s economic future.

    Dwayne’s message is clear: Artificial Intelligence isn’t just about disruption—it’s about empowerment. By shifting from fear to strategy, Black entrepreneurs can harness AI to scale their businesses, create new opportunities, and build generational prosperity.

    Demystifying AI: A Tool, Not a Threat

    Matthews emphasizes that AI is not conscious—it’s a probability engine, predicting strings of words based on vast datasets. The risk is real, but the opportunity is greater.

    Insight for Business Owners: View AI as a practical tool, not an existential threat. Its power lies in automating tasks, amplifying creativity, and opening doors to growth once blocked by gatekeepers.

    The Genie’s Lamp: How AI Unlocks Small Business Potential

    For entrepreneurs, AI is like having a genie’s lamp: it can make things possible that once felt out of reach.

    Practical opportunities include:

    • Affordable Scaling: Access services once limited to corporations—like advanced research, data analysis, or customer service—without hiring full teams.

    • Rapid Web Development: AI can now create professional websites with e-commerce and SEO in hours, not months, and at a fraction of the cost.

    • Training & Documentation: By uploading business processes into AI, you create a virtual trainer, making it easier to scale staff and systems efficiently.

    Key Takeaway: Don’t “boil the ocean.” Use AI to target specific advantages that give you an edge over bigger competitors.

    Securing Economic Power Through AI

    AI is not only changing how we work—it’s changing how we earn and invest.

    • Jobs of the Future: Companies are actively hiring people with AI and ChatGPT expertise. Prompt engineering alone is commanding six-figure salaries.

    • Remote Opportunities: AI-driven roles create pathways for people in emerging economies to earn North American wages.

    • Investment Opportunities: Companies like Nvidia, which power AI’s infrastructure, represent a major part of the “picks and shovels” of this new gold rush.

    Lesson for Entrepreneurs: AI is a pathway to economic power. It creates opportunities for new jobs, new businesses, and smart investments.

    Strategic Thinking Over Panic

    Transformation always brings disruption. Matthews urges entrepreneurs to focus on strategy, not fear:

    • Contextualize Risk: Bias and misinformation aren’t new—they’ve always existed. Develop clear strategies to navigate them.

    • Keep Your North Star: Always ask, “What is the job I’m trying to get done?” Let this guide your AI use.

    • Lead with Ethics: Build human-led, purpose-driven businesses, with AI as a supporting tool, not the driver.

    Final Word: Offense, Not Defense

    Historically, our communities have created billion-dollar cultural movements—Carnival, ride-sharing models, music, and more. AI is the amplifier that allows us to scale these innovations globally.

    Now is the time to play offense, not defense. By embracing AI for small business growth, entrepreneurs in the ACBN network can build prosperity, secure economic independence, and shape the future.

    🎥 Watch the full interview with Dwayne Matthews here: YouTube Interview

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: Join ACBN

  • Impact Investing in Canada: How the Definity Foundation is Redefining Capital and Equity with Arti Freeman

    Impact Investing in Canada: How the Definity Foundation is Redefining Capital and Equity with Arti Freeman

    In a powerful conversation with Arti Freeman, CEO of the Definity Foundation, we explored how the organization is leveraging all forms of capital—not just grants—to create what they call a justice model of philanthropy. For Black entrepreneurs and community leaders, their approach offers valuable lessons on impact, equity, and sustainable growth.

    A Justice Model for Philanthropy

    Founded in 2018 with $100 million from the demutualization of Economical Insurance (now Definity Insurance), the Definity Foundation has made equity its central purpose. Instead of a traditional charity model, DF embraces a justice model of philanthropy—acknowledging historical wrongs while investing in Black, Indigenous, racialized, and equity-seeking communities.

    Particular attention is given to women and youth of colour, who are often the furthest behind in access to resources and opportunities.

    Key Insights for Business Owners

    1. Think Holistically About Capital

    DF reminds us that true equity requires more than just financial resources. They leverage:

    • Financial Capital: including impact investing.

    • Human Capital: the skills and expertise of their team.

    • Social Capital: networks, influence, and partnerships.

    • Physical Assets: spaces and infrastructure that can be repurposed for equity work.

    Lesson: Entrepreneurs should also map their holistic assets. Beyond money, how can your networks, knowledge, or spaces fuel equity and innovation?

    2. Align Investments with Purpose

    One of DF’s early moves was investing in Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. This impact investing strategy ensures resources create equity, not just returns.

    Lesson: Business owners can also align reserves, supply chains, or partnerships with impact-driven values. Every dollar should advance your mission.

    3. Trust Community Ingenuity

    DF’s relational model trusts that communities already have the brilliance to solve their own challenges. Their role is to provide flexible, long-term funding and reduce traditional power imbalances.

    Lesson: Instead of micromanaging, provide flexible support to your teams and partners. Innovation thrives when those closest to the challenge lead.

    4. Make Learning Your Strategy

    DF is committed to testing, adapting, and evolving quickly based on feedback.

    Lesson: Entrepreneurs should adopt the same mindset—launch, learn, and adjust. Courageous action and humility to learn are the real growth engines.

    5. Choose Collaboration Over Competition

    “The days of the Lone Wolf are over,” Freeman notes. DF works alongside other foundations, sharing knowledge and due diligence to accelerate change.

    Lesson: Entrepreneurs can achieve more by collaborating—sharing insights, resources, and strategies—to strengthen the entire ecosystem.

    Building the Future Together

    The Definity Foundation is proving that impact investing in Canada can go beyond grants and create systemic change. Their work challenges us to rethink how we use our assets, relationships, and influence to advance justice.

    For business owners in the ACBN network, the takeaway is clear: equity and impact are built collectively, not in isolation.

    🎥 Watch the full interview with Arti Freeman here: YouTube Interview

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: Join ACBN

  • Climate Justice in Canada: Why Businesses Must Lead the Transformation with Alicia Richins

    Climate Justice in Canada: Why Businesses Must Lead the Transformation with Alicia Richins

    We recently sat down with Alicia Richins, Climate Justice Advocate and expert in ecological economics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to explore how climate justice in Canada intersects with business, equity, and innovation.

    Her insights reveal not only why climate justice matters for our communities, but also how Black entrepreneurs can position themselves as leaders in building a sustainable and just future.

    Interconnection and Local Action

    Climate justice requires us to see the connections between social issues, economic disparity, and environmental challenges. Alicia reminds us that the SDGs provide a powerful framework, but transformation only happens when we translate broad goals into local, tangible action.

    What this means for business owners:

    • Embed sustainability into your business model, starting with your immediate community.

    • Reject “business as usual.” The old ways weren’t serving us. True sustainability means building a world that is prosperous, equitable, and regenerative.

    Innovation and Accountability as Tools for Change

    For Alicia, transformation requires both creativity and proof of impact.

    • Harness social innovation: Think of innovation as a sandbox where businesses can test bold new ideas before scaling.

    • Mandate impact measurement: Define your goals, collect data, and prove your results. A strong evidence base will make your business more credible to funders, partners, and customers.

    Unpacking Systemic Barriers

    Environmental challenges are never neutral—they disproportionately affect racialized communities. Alicia highlights that neighborhoods with fewer trees, poorer transit, and closer proximity to industrial zones face higher pollution, worse health outcomes, and reduced economic opportunity.

    Insights for entrepreneurs:

    • Demand evidence against greenwashing. Don’t settle for surface-level sustainability claims—prove your business impact.

    • Connect the dots. Understand how climate intersects with housing, health, and employment. Build solutions that address root causes.

    • Start from systems. Climate catastrophe is linked to colonialism, racial hierarchies, and a separation from nature. Businesses must commit to reconciliation and reparations as part of real climate action.

    A Call to Reorientation

    We already have the technology and knowledge to avoid climate collapse. What holds us back is the inertia of the very systems that created the crisis.

    Alicia’s challenge to entrepreneurs is clear: rethink how you do business. Sustainability is not just about cutting emissions—it’s about recognizing that we are part of nature and building businesses rooted in equity, imagination, and care.

    Watch the Full Interview

    Discover Alicia Richins’ powerful insights on climate justice in Canada and learn how your business can lead the transformation.
    🎥 Watch here: YouTube Interview

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: Join ACBN

  • Fundraising in Canada: Unlocking Capital and Impact for Black Entrepreneurs with Andre Beaudry

    Fundraising in Canada: Unlocking Capital and Impact for Black Entrepreneurs with Andre Beaudry

    At ACBN, our work is rooted in the proverb “I am because we are.” Collaboration, collective power, and community investment are at the heart of building lasting impact.

    We recently sat down with Andre Beaudry, Founder of Velocity Collaboration and a veteran of Canada’s fundraising ecosystem, to uncover essential insights for business owners and organizations navigating philanthropy. His expertise offers practical strategies on fundraising in Canada—from securing corporate partnerships to tapping into generational wealth—and shows how Black entrepreneurs can mobilize resources to create transformational change.

    The Secret to Securing Funds: Alignment and Accountability

    At its core, fundraising is about aligning values. Success comes when your vision connects directly with a donor’s priorities.

    Fundraisers act as the bridge between philanthropists—who want to create impact—and entrepreneurs, who know how to make it happen. For business owners, demonstrating accountability and keeping donors informed is crucial for building trust and long-term relationships.

    Philanthropy is especially vital in Canada. Government funding leaves gaps in healthcare, education, childcare, and community services—and your business or organization may be the solution donors are seeking.

    Where the Capital Is: Canada’s Largest Asset Pools

    To elevate your fundraising in Canada, you must know where the biggest opportunities lie:

    1. Corporate Canada (ESG focus): Companies are increasingly investing in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Align your mission with their goals to unlock powerful partnerships.

    2. The Aging Population: One of the wealthiest cohorts in Canadian history is ready to give. Their focus is legacy and measurable impact. Craft your message around long-term change.

    3. Creative Assets: Beyond cash, donors can gift real estate or other assets. Through tools like charitable remainder trusts, they receive immediate tax benefits while your organization gains long-term stability.

    Scaling Up: Lessons from Capital Campaigns

    If you’re planning a major project, understanding capital campaign strategy is essential:

    • Do your research: Be clear about your priorities before asking for money.

    • Run a feasibility study: Interview current and potential donors to determine what resonates and how much you can realistically raise.

    • Use a Quiet Phase: Raise 70–75% of your goal privately before launching publicly to protect your brand.

    • Empower volunteers: Campaign success often comes from well-connected volunteers making direct asks.

    Collaboration Is the Key to Lasting Impact

    For small organizations and entrepreneurs, collaboration is not optional—it’s a necessity. Partnering with others allows you to share costs, strengthen influence, and achieve far greater results together.

    Final Insight: Fundraising in Canada is not just about money. It’s about building relationships, pooling community power, and creating opportunities for collective liberation.

    Watch the Full Interview

    For more on fundraising strategies, asset pools, and collaborative approaches, watch our full conversation with Andre Beaudry here: Watch on YouTube

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: ACBN Membership

  • Racialized Entrepreneurs in Canada: Insights from Alfred Bergeson on Tribe, Wealth, and Ecosystem Building

    Racialized Entrepreneurs in Canada: Insights from Alfred Bergeson on Tribe, Wealth, and Ecosystem Building

    At ACBN, we live by the principle I am because we are. That philosophy calls us to build together, share knowledge, and create systems where Black and racialized entrepreneurs can thrive.

    We recently connected with Alfred Bergeson, Founder and CEO of Tribe Network, to explore how his organization is disrupting the Canadian innovation landscape and carving out new pathways for racialized entrepreneurs in Canada.

    Based in Halifax but born in Ghana, Alfred founded Tribe Network as a not-for-profit that connects racialized founders with resources, networks, and opportunities that were once out of reach. His vision is bold: build an ecosystem that is self-sustaining, community-centered, and global in scope.

    Why community is the foundation

    Tribe Network was born when Alfred realized how unwelcoming mainstream innovation hubs were for racialized entrepreneurs. Few members, mentors, or leaders reflected the community. Instead of leaving frustrated, Alfred created a space where belonging and representation are central.

    Takeaway for entrepreneurs: You cannot build alone. Your success depends on your “tribe”—a network that mentors, invests, and celebrates alongside you.

    From grants to generational wealth

    Tribe started with grant programs like the Black Startup Project, offering $500–$5,000 to help entrepreneurs get started. But Alfred is clear: grants alone won’t close the wealth gap.

    That’s why Tribe is launching Tribe Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund aiming to raise $20 million to invest in racialized entrepreneurs in Canada and beyond. With equity investments of $250,000 or more, Tribe is preparing founders to scale globally while building generational wealth at home.

    Insight for Black entrepreneurs: Prepare now to attract equity capital. Build ventures that investors see as scalable, not just survivable.

    Closing the investment gap

    Currently, Black founders receive less than 1% of venture capital dollars in Canada. This is more than inequity—it’s a missed market opportunity. Diverse teams have been shown to outperform, delivering up to three times higher returns.

    Message for ACBN members: Supporting racialized entrepreneurs is not charity—it’s smart investment.

    Building our own ecosystem

    Tribe isn’t just one organization—it’s building an entire ecosystem that complements and challenges existing structures. By creating culturally relevant pathways into entrepreneurship and innovation, Tribe ensures our community doesn’t just participate in Canada’s economy but leads it.

    The future is Tribe Ventures

    With Tribe Ventures, Alfred is building a global platform that invests in racialized entrepreneurs in Canada while also linking to opportunities across Africa. It’s about ownership, sustainability, and ensuring our community is never left behind in the innovation economy.

    Watch the full interview with Alfred Bergeson here: Watch on YouTube

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: ACBN Membership

  • Social Purpose Real Estate in Canada: Insights from Graham Singh

    Social Purpose Real Estate in Canada: Insights from Graham Singh

    At ACBN, we hold firm to the principle I am because we are. That means looking beyond short-term fixes and investing in solutions that build collective strength for generations.

    This week, we sat down with Graham Singh, CEO of the Trinity Centres Foundation, to explore one of the largest untapped opportunities in Canada: social purpose real estate. With nearly $500 billion worth of faith-based properties across North America in transition, Graham believes we are standing at the edge of a once-in-500-year opportunity to redefine ownership, impact, and equity in our communities.

    For Black entrepreneurs and impact investors, this conversation is more than real estate—it’s about creating sustainable spaces that fuel business, community services, and generational wealth.

    The real estate revolution

    Faith-based properties once bustling with activity are now underused or at risk of being sold off to private developers. The Trinity Centres Foundation is stepping in to ensure these properties are not lost but redeployed for community benefit—through renovations, partnerships, and development projects that include affordable housing.

    Takeaway for entrepreneurs: These properties represent an opportunity to connect impact investing with social good, creating space for non-profits, businesses, and community growth.

    Key lessons for entrepreneurs and investors

    1. Measure impact through reduced rent
      The biggest measurable outcome of social purpose real estate is lowering rent for non-profits and charities. Like affordable housing, this ensures essential community organizations can thrive in costly urban centres.

    2. De-risk to unlock institutional capital
      Large investors, like pension funds, require stable returns. By having foundations accept initial risk, these investments become viable. Montreal’s Initiative Immobile Communauté multiplied its fund fivefold through this model.

    3. Shift from landlord to equity partner
      Instead of just renting space, new models give community groups equity stakes in properties—stabilizing financing and decolonizing old ownership structures.

    4. Invest in human capital
      The Windmill Microfinance example shows that small loans to skilled immigrants unlock massive returns—reducing reliance on social services and filling vital roles in the economy.

    5. Push for policy intervention
      To compete with private developers, social purpose organizations need tools like first rights of refusal, longer timelines to raise capital, and rapid-deployment funds.

    A time for action and healing

    This opportunity is about more than property—it’s about equity, decolonization, and repairing systems that have historically excluded marginalized communities. By engaging in social purpose real estate in Canada, Black entrepreneurs can help secure spaces for charities, non-profits, and businesses that keep our ecosystem thriving.

    To dive deeper into this $500 billion opportunity and hear Graham Singh’s vision for Canada’s future, watch the full interview here: Watch on YouTube

  • Social Innovation in Canada: Insights from Louise Adongo on Building Mutuality and Collective Power

    Social Innovation in Canada: Insights from Louise Adongo on Building Mutuality and Collective Power

    At ACBN, we believe in the proverb I am because we are. That philosophy drives our commitment to mobilizing ecosystems through shared knowledge and collaboration.

    We recently sat down with Louise Adongo, Executive Director of Inspire Communities in Nova Scotia, to discuss the future of social innovation in Canada and what it means for entrepreneurs, leaders, and community builders. Louise brings a rare combination of science, bureaucracy, and grassroots experience, grounded in a lifelong commitment to social justice.

    Her insights remind us that if we want to change systems, we must cut through jargon, embrace mutuality, and design funding models that truly serve communities.

    1. Demystify the jargon, embrace mutuality

    The world of social finance and social innovation often hides behind complicated terms. Louise stresses that at its core, these concepts are simple—and rooted in practices we already know.

    Think of susu’s or roscas—community members pooling money, holding each other accountable, and circulating funds for mutual benefit. That is the essence of social finance.

    Key takeaway for entrepreneurs: Don’t let jargon exclude you. Break it down, simplify your own language, and design programs that feel accessible to the people they’re meant to serve.

    2. Resourcing for transformational change

    Louise points out that traditional funding models often prioritize speed and numbers over depth and equity. True systemic change requires multi-year, flexible resources that measure success differently.

    • Advocate for upfront capital instead of reimbursement-based funding.

    • Push for metrics that value quality of participation, not just outputs.

    • Treat social purpose work with the same respect and financing as private-sector work.

    Lesson for business owners: Secure funding that gives you room to create lasting impact, not just short-term activity.

    3. The challenge of leadership for Black executives

    As a Black executive director in a non-B3 organization, Louise highlights the barriers Black leaders face. Often, they are placed on “glass cliffs”—expected to succeed in difficult roles while funding support is pulled back.

    Takeaway for entrepreneurs and boards: Support BIPOC leaders beyond optics. Leadership transitions require resourcing, mentoring, and board-level commitment to ensure leaders are set up for success.

    4. Multi-solving for community needs

    Equity and climate justice are deeply interconnected. Louise calls on us to stop fragmenting issues and instead adopt multi-solving approaches that address immediate needs like food, housing, and mental health while advancing larger goals like climate resilience.

    Tip for innovators: Bring experts into community conversations, not the other way around. Real change happens when solutions meet people where they are.

    5. A call to action: revive cooperatives and mutuals

    Louise’s final message is clear: cooperatives and mutuals are powerful vehicles we’ve allowed to fade from the narrative. They are proven tools for survival, ownership, and collective wealth.

    Her advice: Don’t wait until the crisis hits. Learn these models now and bring them back into your networks, businesses, and families as strategies for long-term prosperity.

    Conclusion: Building the future of social innovation in Canada

    Louise Adongo’s wisdom reminds us that social innovation in Canada doesn’t need more jargon—it needs clarity, mutuality, and courage. For Black entrepreneurs, embracing these principles means building stronger businesses while also shaping systems that work for us all.

    Watch the full interview with Louise Adongo here: Watch on YouTube

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: ACBN Membership

  • Community Land Trusts in Canada: A Pathway to Ownership and Security for Black Entrepreneurs interview with Chiyi Tam

    Community Land Trusts in Canada: A Pathway to Ownership and Security for Black Entrepreneurs interview with Chiyi Tam

    At ACBN, we believe in I am because we are—a principle that calls us to build together, share resources, and create sustainable futures.

    We recently sat down with Chiyi Tam, Director of the Kensington Market Community Land Trust (KMCLT), to explore how community land trusts in Canada are reshaping ownership and offering stability to businesses, especially those owned by minorities and new immigrants.

    With real estate speculation driving up costs and displacing small businesses, CLTs present a powerful alternative: collective ownership that keeps land in community hands forever.

    1. Ownership through collective power

    Individual entrepreneurs often can’t compete with large real estate investors. CLTs change the dynamic. By pooling resources, businesses and community members can purchase and secure properties that would otherwise be lost to speculation.

    • Pooled strategy: Shared mortgages, revenue, and grant applications make ownership possible.

    • Protecting small businesses: KMCLT has helped secure long-term leases for immigrant-owned food vendors and other minority-owned shops.

    • Collective survival: CLTs shift power from dependency on wealthy benefactors to community-led ownership.

    Key insight: Ownership through a CLT means moving from survival to security, ensuring businesses stay rooted in their neighborhoods.

    2. Hybrid financial innovation

    CLTs thrive by blending business strategies with social innovation. By acquiring commercial and residential properties, they prevent evictions, stabilize rents, and build long-term affordability for entrepreneurs.

    3. Learning from history

    Chiyi points to examples like the Chinese diaspora’s family associations, which pooled money a century ago to purchase housing. Those investments still provide affordability today.

    Lesson for Black entrepreneurs: Our history is full of mutual aid and cooperative strategies. CLTs are a modern continuation of that legacy.

    4. Economic democracy in action

    CLTs are more than a housing solution—they’re a form of economic democracy. Members don’t just advocate for change; they help decide how land is used.

    The next wave of CLTs is moving from preservation to development—constructing new buildings and keeping the revenue local instead of losing it to global developers.

    Why this matters for Black entrepreneurs

    The CLT model has deep roots in Black civil rights organizing in the American South, where it was created to protect Black farmers from losing land. Today in Canada, CLTs are connected to anti-racist work, Indigenous land back movements, and cultural reclamation projects in places like Nova Scotia.

    For Black business owners, CLTs are not just about property—they are about justice, sovereignty, and building the foundation for generational wealth.

    Call to Action

    If a CLT doesn’t exist in your area—start one. If it does, get involved, become a member, and help raise funds. Every building saved is a step toward reclaiming control of our neighborhoods and securing a future where small businesses thrive.

    To learn more about how CLTs can reshape ownership for entrepreneurs, watch our full ACBN interview with Chiyi Tam: Watch on YouTube

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: https://acbncanada.com/membership/