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Written By Raphael Udubra
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Q-BEKH x Black Inc. Podcast:  
Q-BEKH x Black Inc. Podcast:  

As a province, Quebec has mastered the art of synergistic dichotomies, blending tradition with innovation and interweaving creative expression and technological progress. It’s not surprising then, that the Quebec Regional Hub of the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (Q-BEKH) would be the ideal setting for our latest project for Black entrepreneurs.

BEKH Sparks Surge in Black-led Research at the University of Alberta
BEKH Sparks Surge in Black-led Research at the University of Alberta

The future of Black-led research has ignited on the Prairies. What once began as an ambitious initiative from the federal government to support Black entrepreneurship across Canada through research-driven insights, has sparked a blaze of progress and potential for Black entrepreneurs and researchers alike.

Bridging Futures: A Transformative Workshop on Black Entrepreneurship and Visionary Thinking
Bridging Futures: A Transformative Workshop on Black Entrepreneurship and Visionary Thinking

On November 27th, Q-BEKH, the Office of Community Engagement and District 3 innovation center brought together a diverse cohort of change-makers for the Foresight Bridging Futures Workshop—an immersive experience that redefined how we approach community, entrepreneurship, and future-building.

Scenes from the Federal Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference
Scenes from the Federal Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference

The 3rd Annual Federal Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference, hosted by the Afro Caribbean Business Network (ACBN) at Carleton University's Sprott School of Business from October 28-30, 2024, was an essential event for Black entrepreneurs and organizations supporting Black-owned businesses.

BEEM Connects Black entrepreneurs to $37 Billion Buyer — The Government of Canada
BEEM Connects Black entrepreneurs to $37 Billion Buyer — The Government of Canada

Imagine having access to a client with a $37-billion budget who is constantly seeking goods and services. This is now a reality for Black entrepreneurs with the help of the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub’s Ecosystem Map (BEEM). With this new addition, Black entrepreneurs across the country can now see how their business links to one of the largest buyers of goods and services in Canada— the Government—unlocking unprecedented opportunities for growth for Black entrepreneurs.  

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

The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Comes to the University of Alberta
The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Comes to the University of Alberta

Beyond establishing the BEKH’s mission to lead the development of community-led research projects in collaboration with academics, community organizations, and post-secondary institutions, the Carleton University delegation sketched the short, medium and long term goals of the Hub, which include developing partnership capacity, producing large scale quantitative and qualitative research projects, and fostering tangible research outputs with the goal of building project sustainability.

Researching Black Entrepreneurship in Canada Symposium 2022
Researching Black Entrepreneurship in Canada Symposium 2022

On November 17 and 18, 2022, the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub hosted its hybrid research symposium under the theme, “Researching Black Entrepreneurship in Canada,” at the Sprott Business School, located in the Nicol Building at Carleton University. See full story here:

BEKH hosts first open house at Carleton’s brand new Nicol Building
BEKH hosts first open house at Carleton’s brand new Nicol Building

Last week, we hosted our first open house at the brand new Nicol Building, home of the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. About 40 members of the community, including researchers, entrepreneurs and Carleton faculty and students were in attendance. They were welcomed by BEKH Executive Director Andrea Pierce while Dr. Gerald Grant presented about the work we will be undertaking and how the community can get involved.

Five reports available right now on Black Entrepreneurship in Canada
Five reports available right now on Black Entrepreneurship in Canada

As a key part of the Government of Canada’s Black Entrepreneurship Program, the BEKH is developing large-scale qualitative and quantitative studies, as well as a network mapping of Black entrepreneurial ecosystem at the local, regional and national levels. These are meant to have practical applications for advocacy, policy development, and more, all in support of Black entrepreneurs.

Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Research to Support Enterprises and Communities
Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Research to Support Enterprises and Communities

Black entrepreneurship has always been a vital part of Canada’s economy, but large-scale, detailed research and pan-Canadian information on it has been limited. This knowledge and sharing of lived experiences has a vital role in informing the public policies that are needed to address the systemic barriers Black entrepreneurs face when building their businesses.

Building the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
Building the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub

Within the next year, Grant says he expects the Hub to be fully functional, with community partners actively engaged in co-creating and developing research that reflects the needs of Black entrepreneurs. Within five years, Grant hopes the BEKH will help guide policy making at all levels of government and across the public and private sectors

Raphael Udubra
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