If there’s one thing Tobias Brown has learned about securing work with the government it’s that networking can help to make the process not just smoother, but even more accessible for Black entrepreneurs. Tobias is the brains behind the Jamaican food experience known as Tommie’s Jerk, 2021 Nominee in the Canadian SME National Business Awards. He says some of the opportunities he’s landed have come through making connections at events for BIPOC entrepreneurs. “You have to be the proactive one. You’ve got to reach out. A bunch of my stuff has come from the relationship that I had with either BIPOC Foundation or with the Black Business Association of BC (BBABC),” Tobias says.

The story of Howard Johnson, crowned ‘King Shadrock’ after a performance in South Africa left the audience in awe of his talent, is a tale that provides insight into the strife and triumphs of being an artist and a small business owner trying to navigate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Canada where Black business have traditionally struggled to get off the ground. Fortunate enough to have endured through the pandemic as a stage performer and chef, his story is a testament to the power of his creative strategic thinking and epitomizes the essence of entrepreneurship driven by passion, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of a lasting legacy.

In the utilities sector, few accounts highlight the challenges and successes of Black individuals. Giovanni Smith, originally from Mandeville, Jamaica, sets himself apart in this context. In spite of attaining a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, he was compelled to switch his focus to the utilities sector due to systemic barriers. His journey, transitioning from an aspiring architect to ultimately a business owner, showcases his adaptability and impact in the sector. His story is not just about personal achievements; it reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of an individual who, despite numerous obstacles, managed to carve out a unique space for himself in an exceedingly specialized industry.  

Chantel Ross Francois, President of the East Point Convention & Visitors Bureau (EPCVB) in Metro Atlanta, is a Black Canadian woman with a Caribbean heritage leading the EPCVB delegation of business, cultural, and political leaders from East Point, Georgia. She is a sponsor of Jamaal Magloire’s Toronto Revellers in the 2023 Toronto Caribbean Carnival. She has always appreciated the cultural value of the parade and carnival celebrations as well as the value and economic impact on the travel and tourism industry that benefits Toronto, the province of Ontario, Canada, and beyond. In her new role, she will tap into the experience economy connecting the United States and Canada.

Carla Beauvais, Executive Director and co-founder of Fondation Dynastie, promotes diversity and inclusion in the sector of arts, culture, and media. She also co-founded Orijin Village, providing businesses in Black communities with technological solutions that allow them to reach new market sectors and bridge the digital divide.

Ian Tolliver has a dream. He wants to see his name displayed proudly across a building he constructs. It wasn't a sudden decision; it was a dream that began as a humble cornerstone in his childhood and has been under construction for decades. “It was a dream that I had when I was like four or five or something like that. When I saw my name on a building, I didn't know what it was, but I could remember it, as if I had the dream last year. So, I just thought the construction was going to be the final thing, but I just had to go through a number of steps to get there.” 

In the competitive Canadian construction sector, Stephen Callendar's name is widely recognized. With a career spanning four decades, he has carefully built a reputation that combines his business acumen with a strong commitment to community empowerment. From the towering structures that grace Toronto's skyline, proudly reflecting the work of his company, Bass Installation, to his role as the president of the Afro Canadian Contractors Association (ACCA), Stephen's accomplishments highlight his impactful leadership.  

Black entrepreneurs have a remarkable talent for recognizing community needs and crafting solutions to address them. These solutions not only benefit the Black community but also contribute significantly to building a stronger Canada. Take Derrick and Marilyn , for instance. They launched Icon Talent Partners to help Black and visible minority communities find industries that best suit their talents. While the federal government grapples with the dual challenges of building the country’s population and creating a more competitive, skilled workforce through strategic immigration pathways, private organizations like Icon Talent Partners are addressing one of Canada’s most crucial problems—aligning homegrown talent with high-impact industries.

Paschal Okwundunever imagined his own experience as a newcomer to Canada would become a springboard for his fintech startup. However, after hearing how many others went through similar – if not worse – experiences, the serial entrepreneur knew a solution was hidden somewhere. It all started when he moved to Canada from Nigeria eight years ago as an MBA student at the University of British Columbia and struggled to find housing. “Between the first day I landed and a few weeks later, I had to speak to at least six different landlords before one finally agreed to rent their place to me. And the simple reason was because I did not have a Canadian credit history, even though I worked in banking in Africa,” he says.

Ginella Massa never saw herself as an entrepreneur. The award-winning journalist, and North America’s first hijab-wearing national TV news anchor, spent many years gracing the television screens of Canadians, delivering news in some of the country’s largest markets. Now, the founder of Massa Media & Communications Inc. says her new venture is one she loves, born out of a passion to serve her community and bridge the knowledge gap between mainstream media and marginalized communities.

The struggle to find childcare is a familiar one for Carine Bado. As the CEO and Founder of My Little Tribe, her frustration navigating what she calls Canada’s “childcare desert” is what led her to create a solution to ease the pain millions of parents deal with daily.

As a second-generation entrepreneur, Cheyanne Tunti says she’s drawing on deep wells as sources of strength to persevere in her journey of building a business in Metro Vancouver. Her faith in God and her father’s inspiring journey as a businessman from Ghana have been unfailing sources of hope as she navigates the world of entrepreneurship.

Many Black entrepreneurs don’t have a blueprint for how to scale their business, taking it from a single-person operation to a fully staffed enterprise. However, changes across the ecosystem in recent years mean there are more resources to help as they embark on this journey. Sean De Freitas is the founder of Zayick Consulting, a boutique firm that goes beyond bookkeeping and accounting, to help Black entrepreneurs analyze the data so they can make informed decisions about the future of their business.

In 2018, Eduek Brooks was drowning in over $40,000 in consumer debt. Overwhelmed but resolved, she knew she had to get serious about managing her finances. However, about two weeks after deciding to clear the debt, she was laid off from her full-time job.

As a Black woman in Canada's coffee industry, Nadine Umutoni is helping to forge a new path for Black entrepreneurs. The founder of Vancouver-based startup Neza Coffee says she wishes she'd started sooner.