BEKH Western Hub Calls for Stronger Collaboration Between Researchers and Policymakers
At the recently held, "Empowering Black Entrepreneurs: Bridging Research, Policy, and Practice” symposium held at the UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, the Western Hub of the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH)— based at RADIUS, Simon Fraser University— made a clear and urgent call: closer collaboration between researchers and policymakers is needed to better support Black entrepreneurs.
Hosted on February 28, 2025, in partnership with UBC’s Black Advisory Hub, the event, brought together researchers, business leaders, and community advocates to explore the challenges and opportunities within the Black business ecosystem. Informed by BEKH Western Hub’s regional research report titled Empowering Black Entrepreneurship: A Research Report of Comprehensive Analysis of Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Recommendations for Western Canada, the event placed a strong focus on exploring actionable policy recommendations.
Although the symposium marked an important milestone for Black entrepreneurship research in Canada, it also highlighted a critical gap: while research on Black entrepreneurship is gaining momentum, strong institutional support and informed policy are essential to turning that knowledge into action. “We need the presence of policymakers in future symposiums to complement the voices of academic institutions, Black business leaders, and entrepreneurs,” said Raphael Ochil, Western Hub lead. Ochil’s call to action signals a crucial next step: turning research insights into tangible policy changes that foster economic opportunities and resilience for Black entrepreneurs.
Closing out Black History Month on a high note, the symposium highlighted the growing demand for networking and collaboration opportunities among researchers, business leaders, and policymakers. Moderated by Andrea Lyod, Innovation UBC’s engagement lead, the event featured dynamic speakers such as Dr. Olutoyin Oyelade, President of Casa Foundation, Dr. Sarah Lubik of SFU and Sean Lumb of UBC.
While policymakers were missed, the symposium brought together a diverse set of panellists from across sectors. Raphael Tachie (Private Legal Practitioner), Jackee Kasandy, (President of BEBC Society), Rohene Bouajram (Associate Director, IBPOC Strategic Initiatives, UBC) and Elena Yugai (Executive Director, Table of Impact Investment Practitioners), shared valuable insights on innovation, business resilience, and the intersection between research and entrepreneurship.
As conversations continue, the focus must now shift to action— building stronger partnerships, coordinating collective efforts, and producing real-world outcomes that have a meaningful impact on Black-owned businesses across Canada.
Stay connected with the latest developments: follow @bekhCanada on LinkedIn or visit bekh.org and radiussfu.com.