Black Business Summit 2024

The Power of US | Facing the Future Together
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When we’re alone, problems seem insurmountable. But together, Black entrepreneurs are unstoppable.
Our first-of-its kind Black Business Summit returns in May 2024.
Learn from the best of the best. Sharpen your business acumen. Break barriers holding you back.

Learn

Learn exclusive tips and receive insider advice from a variety of experts in the business world.

Receive crucial tools and training that will help you and your business break business barriers and thrive.

Network

Network with the Black business community at a grand scale. The Black Business Summit brings together government members, banks, investors, universities, mentors, training, and experts together through a Black lens to create more opportunities for the Black community.

Grow

Be empowered to dream bigger, aim higher and succeed in the business world.

Acquire new opportunities and be inspired by successes in our community.

Why attend the Summit?

THE FIRST OF ITS KIND HYBRID EVENT

Immerse yourself in two days of empowerment by attending the Black Business Summit in-person at Emily Carr University of Art + Design – where innovation meets inspiration. Set against the backdrop of the Coastal Mountains and nestled in the artistic hub of Vancouver, Emily Carr University provides the perfect space for creativity, learning and collaboration. Each ticket also includes breakfast, lunch, and a sit-down gala dinner specially crafted by local Black restaurants. 

Our gala on May 24 will recognize the outstanding achievements of Black youth, women, entrepreneurs, and non-profits. We’ll also announce the winners of this year’s Black Pitch Contest. It’s a celebration of excellence you won’t want to miss!  

Forge powerful connections and catalyze change within the vibrant community of Black businesses and entrepreneurs. Act now to be part of this transformative experience that will propel YOU to new heights.

Meet Our Master of Ceremonies

Marina Mathieu

Travailleuse Culturelle Multidisciplinaire
Multidisciplinary Cultural Worker

Meet Our Keynote Speakers

Simone Saunders, MSW, RSW

Managing Director, MSW, RSW, The Cognitive Corner
Tik Tok star @thecognitivecorner, Trauma Therapist, Social Worker

Tychon Carter-Newman

Urban Planning (MUP), MCIP, PMP, Winner of Big Brother Canada 9
Reality TV Star, Influencer, Motivational Speaker

Save the dates:
May 24-25, 2024

Partner with the Black Business Summit as a Corporate Sponsor

Get Involved with the Summit by Volunteering

SUMMIT 2024 AGENDA

Emily Carr University, 520 E 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 0H2

Time (PST) Friday May 24th | 2024 | Day 1
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Registration | Networking | Light Breakfast
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Opening Ceremony | Land Acknowledgement | Conference Rundown
9:30 – 10:30 AM
Opening Keynote, Simone Saunders: Together as One | Black Business Success
10:30 – 10:45 AM
Entertainment | Poem, BEBC Videos, Art etc
10:45 – 12:00 PM

Panel | Creating Connections: Building bridges together as Black Business Stakeholders

12:00 – 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 – 2:45 PM

Building Wealth as Black Businesses

2:45 – 3:00 PM
Break
3:00 – 4:00 PM

Discussion | Resilience & Reinvention – Overcoming Hardships and Challenges – Motivational Stories and Techniques

4:00 – 5:30 PM

Supplier Diversity Matchmaking Event – LIVE Pitch until 6:00 PM (Invite Only)

Networking | Mixer (live & online) | Lightning Round – 2 min & Gamification

Time (PST) Saturday May 25th | 2024 | Day 2
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Registration | Networking | Light Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 AM
Opening Ceremony | Land Acknowledgement | Conference Rundown
9:15 – 10:15 AM
Opening Keynote, Tychon Carter-Newman: Nothing Can Stop Us Now
10:15 – 11:20 AM

Business Development Panels
Influencer Panel | Doing business as a Content Creator
Tech Panel | Winning with Technology – Social Media, Marketing Automation, Cybersecurity, Intellectual Property, and your business

11:20 – 11:30 AM
Entertainment | Poem, BEBC Videos, Art etc
11:30 – 12:40 PM
Getting Inspired Lightning Sessions: Brand new entrepreneurs share their experiences
12:40 – 1:40 PM
Lunch
1:40 – 2:40 PM

Panel | Cultural Connectivity: Promoting Blackness through successful entrepreneurship

2:40 – 4:00 PM
Black Pitch Contest | Live Top 5 Pitches
4:00 – 5:30 PM

Networking | Mixer (live & online) | Lightning Round – 2 min & Gamification
*Pitch contest judge deliberation*

6:00 – 9:00 PM

Sit down dinner by Salt n Sear, Chef Jean Jacques Kabuya

Awards ceremony
– Pitch contest winner announcement
– Black Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award
– Black Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award
– Black Entrepreneur of the Year Award
– Black Non-Profit of the Year Award
– Community Leader Award
– Community Partner Award
– Business Innovation Award
– Best Social Impact Award
– Startup of the Year Award
– Sustainability Award
– Canadian Food Security Champion Award
– Housing Excellence Award
– Lifetime Achievement Award
– Investor of the Year Award
– Trailblazer Award
– Change Maker Award

*Please note that agenda is subject to change*

Al Ramsay

Vice President and Head 2SLGBTQ+ & Black Customer Segments, TD Bank Group

Andrew Brown

Associate Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage
Sous-ministre délégué, Patrimoine canadien

Colin Lynch

Managing Director, Head of Alternative Investments, TD Asset Management Inc.

Kolade Boboye

Manager of Social Business & Innovation | Director, Hope Blooms

Troy Peart

BC Chapter Lead, Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP)

Lystra Sam

Founder & Managing Director | Lead Decolonizing Travel Curator & Strategist, Qmooniti

Al White

Founder & Managing Director, WRi Canada

Raphael Tachie

Partner, Dentons Canada’s Tax and Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation Groups
Immediate Past President – CABL National

Artists

Rhona Sinamtwa

Creative, Sustainability Enthusiast, Co-Founder of an eco-friendly East African Clothing Line

ebonEmpress

Community Advocate, Musician, Emcee, Designer & Curator

Catered by:

The Black Business Summit is here to help YOU start, grow, and scale your business:

Get Inspired

Gain fresh insights to fuel your entrepreneurial journey

Build Wealth for Your Business

Future-proof your Business and Career

Win with Technology

Learn to leverage Social Media, AI, Big Data, Marketing Automation

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IN PERSON TICKETS

Be part of the excitement in Vancouver, BC! Learn from experienced thought-leaders, network with other entrepreneurs, and watch groundbreaking ideas take center stage.

VIRTUAL TICKETS

Join us online from anywhere in the world. Get your FREE virtual pass using code: VIRTUAL24

Virtual and in-person booths are available for purchase! If you are interested in being one of our exhibitor’s contact us for next steps!

LEAD WITH INCLUSION

Are you a corporation or government agency looking to elevate your team’s commitment to diversity and inclusion?

The Summit offers valuable opportunities for team building, skill development and networking. Join us as we unite the Black Business community on a monumental scale, bringing together governments, banks, and experts through a Black lens to create and seize opportunities.

Proudly Sponsored by:

For Attendees

  • Partner with the Black community to make systemic change
  • You’ll help set yourself up for success by investing in your growth, knowledge and network
  • Learn from industry experts on how to scale and grow your business
  • Be a part of an inspiring, disruptive event that is making history and breaking down business barriers for the Black community
  • Have fun at a meaningful, community-oriented and growth-focused event 
  • Expand your network by coming together with like-minded, motivated entrepreneurs, experts, mentors and the Black business community at a grand scale
  • Receive insider information and insightful advice from experts in the business world to help set your business apart
  • And more… 
  • How to work with lending institutions to help scale and grow your Black business
  • All about building wealth: Home ownership & the collateral game
  • Financial roundtable: How to work to change the system to work for us
  • How to increase your business, profits and impact: a growth roadmap for entrepreneurs & solopreneurs
  • How to tell your story through marketing that brings sales
  • Growing your business through federal, provincial, city procurement contracts
  • How to supply to corporations and scale through B2B and wholesale
  • What is the Black Lens: Failure to success – how to embrace it & pivot
  • How to increase sales through your website and exports
  • What to do as a newcomer/immigrant in business
  • How to succeed in entrepreneurship as a Black youth
  • Financial Literacy
  • How to pitch successfully for financing
  • Starting a business 101
  • And more…

Everyone!

The Black Business Summit is designed specifically for Black entrepreneurs, youth, and business people. But anyone interested in Black Business is welcome, including IPOC communities and allies.

Register for our 2024 Hybrid Summit today! We have virtual and in-person tickets available for you to choose from here!

Enter the code “EARLYBIRD” at checkout and if you’re a Black Business Owner use code “BBEARLYBIRD” by February 28th!

For Sponsors

  • Be a part of making systemic change with the Black community 
  • Empower Black entrepreneurs, youth and business people to succeed in the business world, helping the next generation of Black entrepreneurs thrive through a safe, community-oriented and growth-focused event
  • Support Black entrepreneurs and youth, who are underrepresented and marginalized in the mainstream business community
  • Increase your company’s brand awareness by being highlighted to our growing community
  • Receive brand recognition and integration
  • Attain advertising and promotion opportunities
  • Contribute to the planning process of the event
  • Acquire the opportunity to contribute mentors
  • Receive new opportunities to reach more customers
  • And more…

You can now register to be a sponsor. Applications for partnership packages are now open and will close soon. Contact us today

Pros of signing up early include: being able to provide your input, collaborating with us on the crucial planning process and getting to engage early with our BEBC members pre-event.

Want to sponsor the Black Business Summit and support Black entrepreneurs and youth? Contact us to see our sponsorship packages!
Co-Presenting Sponsor – $45,000
  • Co-brand the summit
  • Speak at the summit
  • Present a section of programming at the summit
  • Brand a dedicated section within the breakout workshops
  • Opportunity to contribute a quarterly online event/webinar
  • A dedicated section in the weekly e-Newsletter
  • Ad on the summit page
  • Opportunity to contribute mentors
  • Integration in marketing campaign
  • Engage in post-event sessions and town halls
Gold Sponsor – $35,000
  • Get recognition and brand integration
  • Introduce a section of the summit
  • Contribute tools to the toolbox
  • Opportunity to contribute one piece of content a month to the e-Newsletter
  • Opportunity to partner on one online event
  • Opportunity to contribute mentors
  • Opportunity to be included in the digital trade show
  • Opportunity to engage in a post-event town hall
Silver Sponsor – $15,000
  • Get recognition and brand integration 
  • Receive once a quarter integration into our e-Newsletter
  • Contribute tools to the toolbox
  • Opportunity to contribute mentors
Seed Sponsor – $10,000
  • Get recognition and brand integration 
  • Receive twice a year integration into our e-Newsletter
  • Contribute tools to the toolbox and trade show sessions
NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS!
Please note: any votes which are a result of mechanical attempts to rig the votes (e.g. bots) or attempts to "purchase" votes will be disqualified.
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Our Past Summit Sponsors

The BEBC partners with a variety of leading businesses and organizations for the Black Business Summit. In the past, our event sponsors have included companies such as: