The Black Business Initiative (BBI) has so far assisted more than 2,000 individuals and organizations since 1996 in helping foster a dynamic and vibrant Black presence in the Nova Scotia business community.
The Government of Canada has supported BBI from the start, and now the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) has furthered that commitment with a total of $3.25 million in funding over the next five years. The funding announcement was made today in conjunction with the BBI's Annual General Meeting by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State for ACOA.
“We are proud to support BBI's work in areas such as Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development, Innovation, Community Economic Development, and Access to Capital and Information,” said Minister Ashfield. “Furthermore, BBI shares our agency's mandate to increase entrepreneurial opportunity in rural areas.”
“From its inception in 1996, the Black Business Initiative (BBI) developed and worked around a cluster of strategic objectives. These objectives were informed by our vision to foster an enduring presence within the Nova Scotia business community of a dynamic and vibrant Black presence,” said Rustum Southwell, BBI CEO. “By developing business and job opportunities for African Nova Scotians, we are helping ACOA to fulfill its mandate as well as our own.”
Among the tools BBI uses to create an entrepreneurial environment are: financing, training, mentoring, business counselling, and community economic development projects.
All evidence points to the success of BBI's strategy. Statistics Canada data outlines that between 2001-2006, the number of Black-owned businesses with employees grew 57.7 %, compared with 1.1% growth for businesses with employees in the province as a whole. As well, BBI investments have helped create approximately 570 full-and-part-time jobs.
The Black Business Initiative's Annual General Meeting Gala Dinner and Dance takes place Friday evening at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront starting at 6:30 pm.
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The Black Business Initiative will receive $3.25 million in ACOA funding over the next five years to foster the continued growth of businesses owned by Black Nova Scotians. Since 1996, the BBI has assisted over 2,000 individuals and businesses and has helped create approximately 570 full-and part-time jobs. The funding announcement was made today in conjunction with BBI's Annual General Meeting by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State for ACOA.
The Black Business Initiative's Annual General Meeting Gala Dinner and Dance takes place Friday evening at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront starting at 6:30 pm.
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Paul Moore Senior Communications Officer ACOA (Nova Scotia) 902-426-3470 Cell 902-222-3360 Rustum Southwell Chief Executive Officer Black Business Initiative (902) 426-8948
