Calling all entrepreneurs
Black Business Initiative hosts information sessions today
An entrepreneurship workshop and evening networking opportunity aimed at African Nova Scotian businesspeople and those wanting to become their own boss will take place today in Sydney.
The Black Business Initiative, which is based in Halifax, is hosting the two events to engage the local black community and help foster the development of young talent.
Rodger Smith, entrepreneurial engagement manager for BBI, will oversee the 2-3 p.m. workshop at the Cape Breton Partnership office on Alexandra Street.
He said since the Black Business Initiative formed in 1996, it has helped many African Nova Scotians start businesses by providing loans, training, the development of business, marketing and advertising plans.
The organization usually makes two visits to the Sydney area during the year. The local BBI office was closed in Cape Breton due to funding cutbacks but Smith said the visits are important in maintaining a presence on the island.
“We’re still here to support them in their efforts in what they’re doing,” he said in an interview Monday.
Funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Nova Scotia Business Inc. and the Nova Scotia government, the Black Business Initiative seeks to deliver support across the province although the bulk of its work is concentrated in the Halifax Regional Municipality. A networking event will be held today from 6-8 p.m. at Menelik Hall at 88 Laurier St. in Whitney Pier. It will bring together BBI’s local funding partners — the YMCA employment services, NSBI, the Cape Breton Partnership and Coastal Business CBDC — to meet local black business owners and those wanting to start up their own venture.
“It’s about coming out to network and to hear about the services that (BBI) offers and how to go about tapping into those services,” Smith said.
In its 2016-17 annual report, BBI reported it approved $36,000 in loans to businesses across Nova Scotia for the year and the total amount leveraged from its other partners was $102,900.