BEKH Launches National Digital Platform to Boost Black Business Networks across Canada

Deborah Allotey, BEEM Coordinator

The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) is making waves in Canada’s Black business community with the launch of the Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Map (BEEM), an innovative digital platform designed to support Black entrepreneurs. Recognizing it's significance  Monique Olowolafe, president of Dream Legacy Foundation (DLF), stressed its necessity. “Networking and visibility with our community are not just beneficial, they are essential. By fostering collaboration, strengthening business relationships, and amplifying economic opportunities, BEEM plays a vital role in ensuring that Black entrepreneurs not only survive, but thrive in today’s economy.”
Answering the community's call, BEKH has developed BEEM to tackle Black entrepreneurs' struggle with gaining visibility and accessing essential resources.  By mapping out the vast network of Black-owned businesses and the organizations that support them, BEEM provides a dynamic, interactive digital space that fosters connections and opens doors to new opportunities. Whether an entrepreneur is looking for mentorship, funding, or strategic partnerships, BEEM serves as a one-stop hub that makes these resources more accessible than ever.
The power of the platform was on full display at the 2025 BEKH Capstone Conference, where industry leaders, policymakers, and business owners gathered to celebrate its launch. Emphasizing BEEM's ability to foster collaboration between Black entrepreneurs across Canada, Minister of Small Business Rechie Valdez noted, “If you're a small business entrepreneur in Toronto working on a project related to AI, you can see what your colleague is doing out west in BC and find ways to partner. Those are the types of synergies that I feel the Knowledge Hub has the power to facilitate,” she said.
The platform has been built with the input of various partners, including the Dream Legacy Foundation, the Black Healthcare Professional Network (BHPN), and Tribe Network among others. These organizations have played a critical role in ensuring that BEEM is more than just a directory—it’s a dynamic digital space that continues to evolve alongside the needs of Black business owners. “What we really try to do is use the power of mapping, the power of geography, to tell those stories and make those voices heard. After we started the project, we realized this wasn’t strictly going to be about technology but about deepening community connections.” Explains Dr. Peter Pulsifer, Head of Carleton University’s Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre (GCRC).
One of BEEM’s most impactful collaborations so far has been with BHPN, which has integrated it's network of healthcare professionals into the platform. Abena Addo, co-founder and managing director of BHPN sheds light on the unique challenges Black healthcare professionals face. “A lot of Black healthcare professionals don’t want to be found because they are at capacity. But they can still be listed on the ecosystem map to access different procurement opportunities or collaborate with other entrepreneurs.”
BEEM has also gained international attention, having been presented in Casablanca, Morocco, as an example of innovation within the Black entrepreneurial community. Today, with nearly 1,000 businesses and organizations already listed, the platform continues to grow, making Black businesses and resources more visible and accessible than ever before.
Looking ahead, BEKH is ensuring that BEEM remains a community-led initiative. Plans are underway to establish a steering committee that will guide the platform’s governance, ensuring that it remains in the hands of the entrepreneurs and organizations it was built to serve. “We want to leave it in the hands of the community. We want the community to govern BEEM and shape its future,” said Deborah Allotey, BEEM’s coordinator.

Allison Moores from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) speaking about procurement opportunities available to Black entrepreneurs. 

Abena Addo, co-founder and managing director of BHPN speaking at the BEKH Capstone Conference.