PROGRAMS

January
Blacks on Boards
Blacks on Board is a capacity building series developed to edify participants as it relates to governance and fiduciary responsibilites. These sessions were designed to equip commmunity members with the skill-sets for economic, civic, and non-profit impact.
Taxing
Business Tax Clinic
February
Financial Literacy for Families & Individuals
The financial literacy program for families and individuals will provide participants with an opportunity to learn and apply the fundamentals of finance and improve their relationship with money.
March
Blacks on Boards
Blacks on Board is a capacity building series developed to edify participants as it relates to governance and fiduciary responsibilities. These sessions were designed to equip community members with the skill-sets for economic, civic, and non-profit impact.
Young Professionals Mentorship Program

This program aims to create a networking and mentorship platform for Black Young Professionals

In partnership with business leaders and the broader community, we will seek to foster an environment where Young Professionals are inspired and empowered to create and nurture professional networks to pursue vital opportunities and expand their leadership capabilities. Young Professionals will have access to, and be mentored by key decision makers; gain various skills and trainings; and be engaged and participate in broader community.

The program runs from November to June. Mentees will be matched with their mentors throughout November

April
BBPA Entrepreneurs Programme
The BBPA Entrepreneurs Programme help small to medium businesses become more self-reliant and competitive and to accelerate their growth.
May
Blacks on Boards
Blacks on Board is a capacity building series developed to edify participants as it relates to governance and fiduciary responsibilities. These sessions were designed to equip community members with the skill-sets for economic, civic, and non-profit impact.
July
Empowering Black Youth Through Entrepreneurship
Business Is Jammin’ expose youth to entrepreneurship, social enterprise, education, and personal development through experiential learning, and Businss is Jammin Social Entrepreneurship Summer Camps makes this a reality.
August
iCode+

The iCode+ program is designed to provide hands on basic computer literacy training and computer programing training to youth ages 16 to 29 years old in the Black and minority communities; with the purpose of building their minds, knowledge and skills while encouraging participation in higher education and equipping them for the possibility of gaining employment or pursuing entrepreneurship.

Through iCode+ Business Is Jammin’ wants to ensure that the benefits of technology-based learning are extended to disadvantaged communities as well. While most students may have access to good computer equipment that allows them to learn technologies at their schools, many of them lack access to these at their homes or in community settings.

September
Fundamentals of Business
Entrepreneurship 101
November
Blacks on Boards
Blacks on Board is a capacity building series developed to edify participants as it relates to governance and fiduciary responsibilities. These sessions were designed to equip community members with the skill-sets for economic, civic, and non-profit impact.
March 20
Black History Month Event
Luncheon with Black Leaders. The 2020 BBPA Harry Jerome Award Winners
Mar 20
International Women’s Month: A Dialogue with Black Women: The rise to leadership

Being a more effective leader does not mean you change who you are. It means you are more able to be at your best in more situations. Your leadership then has scale. You lift the capability of others around you, your team, and your collective results. Whether you are an executive, team leader, or first-line supervisor, you need to understand that the ‘command and control’ leadership methods of the past are outdated and counterproductive in the contemporary working environment. This conference will show you how to become a more strategic, collaborative and influential leader, no matter your position within the organisation. Hear from leading women the path to leadership success.

Learning Outcomes:
– Increase your awareness of your style and how it impacts on your effectiveness and scale as a leader
– Enhance your ability to understand diverse stakeholder perspectives and needs
– Increase your flexibility when working with different stakeholders to help develop trust-based credible relationships

April 8
International Womens Month Leadership Event
Our International Womens Month event is a gathering and celebration of the resilient women that have led-movements and established the frameworks for gender based equity, inclusion and access. This assembly is a BBPA signature event that exponentially scales our work within the women’s leadership ecosystem.
May 25
BBPA Harry Jerome Awards
The BBPA Harry Jerome Awards celebrates excellence and achievement in the Black community. This formal dinner and awards gala is the premier event in the Black community and one of the most prestigious Black events in Canada.
July 18-19
Black Leadership Summit @ Convention Centre
The Leadership Summit is predicated on economic soverignty, and business development. As a community self-determined approaches to socio-economic empowerment is imperative for our collective success. This summit is a space for networking, capacity building and leadership development.
September
BBPA Summer Mixer
The BBPA Summer Mixer is a networking at the cottage type of affair. A soiree for thought leaders, influencers and community change agents. This annual event galvanizes and renews the collective impact strategies of executives within the BBPA network.
October
BBPA Show Business @ Tiff Light Box
The BBPA Show Business event was established to convene professionals in the entertainment industry. The basis for this gathering is to develop pathways to success and systemic transformation in an industry in which people of African descent still struggle to attain ownership and equity.
November 3
BBPA Scholarship Ceremony @ York University
The BBPA Scholarship Ceremony is an evening of youth leadership and acadamic excellence. This signature annual BBPA event is a remarkable demonstration of the discipline and accomplishments of our future leaders.
December 5
BBPA Holiday Social @ 180 Elm
The BBPA Holiday Mixer is an annual opportunity for fellowship and networking amongst our membership. This festive event kicks off the holiday season with the solidarity required for another year of stellar community engagement opporunities, policy discussions and professional development events.
December 14
BBPA Youth Summit @ City Hall
The BBPA Youth Summit is a leadership forum established to scale civic engagment and professional development amongst Black youth. This years theme “Becoming Game Changers” was inspired by The BBPA Harry Jerome Award recipients. Over the course of the day the students learn from a variety of leaders on various topics. Understanding Finance, The Value of an Education, The Tec Era, Women in leadership, Alternative Career Choices. The BBPA Youth Summit is an incredible opportunity for participants to gain access to mentors, co-create pipelines to educational attainment and devlop career paths.

The BBPA carries several programs and events tailored to serve our community. Please use the navigation
bar on the left for more information.

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