Setting International Standards for a More Inclusive and Equitable Business Environment: The BEKH Ecosystem Map (BEEM)

Deborah Allotey, Coordinator for the BEEM

Casablanca, Morocco – May 2024 – The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) proudly presented the Ecosystem Map for Black Canadian entrepreneurs (BEEM) at the prestigious International Conference on Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Casablanca, Morocco. The event, managed by Group ISCAE, the premier public institution of Higher Education in Management in Morocco, brought together over 200 business leaders, academics, and researchers from around the globe.

Deborah Allotey, Coordinator for the BEEM, showcased how the map uses images to display the network of organizations, individuals, and resources that collectively support Black entrepreneurship. “The centralisation of information and resources on the ecosystem map will be the new currency to help create a more inclusive and equitable business environment to enable the sustainability of Black entrepreneurs in Canada,” stated Deborah in a recent post reflecting on her experience at the Conference.

The BEEM initiative, supported by the Government of Canada and developed in collaboration with the Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre (GCRC) at Carleton University, is an example of the power of collaborative innovation. By actively consulting with Black entrepreneurs and their supporters, the map is continuously refined to address the evolving needs of the Black entrepreneurial ecosystem. The platform gives Black entrepreneurs the space they need to display their business, control their information and view the connections that support them and their business.

Highlighting the critical role of inclusivity in building stronger economies, The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, remarked during the BEEM announcement in February, “The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub's ecosystem map will help Black-owned businesses improve their visibility, foster greater collaboration, and access new data to grow and succeed. This is great news for Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country and is part of our government's commitment to working with the community to ensure the playing field is level for all businesses across Canada. Through programs like the Black Entrepreneurship Program, we are making sure Black-owned businesses from coast to coast to coast have the supports they need to succeed.”

Black entrepreneurs are encouraged to add their information to the map to take advantage of this unique tool. If you are interested in connecting to the resources you need to build your business, you can add your business to the map here.