FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

G98.7FM, the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and Operation Black Vote Canada (OBVC) , Present an Online Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Support for Black Community During COVID-19 Crisis

TORONTO, April 2, 2020: In response to the ongoing health, social, economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, G98.7 in collaboration with Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and Operation Black Vote Canada, will host a Virtual Town Hall meeting during a special edition of Grapevine between 1pm and 5pm on Sunday, April 5, 2020. Moderated by G.98.7 Royson James and Elaine Thompson the objective is to provide a multiplatform opportunity to directly reach the Black and Caribbean population of Toronto with specific critical information on the various supports available to the our community as they face the current economic and social challenges.

The Virtual Town Hall meeting will include various stakeholders and government representatives from The Federal, Provincial and City of Toronto focusing on the public health, economic and social impact and various responses to this pandemic. All are invited to listen, watch live streams online and join the discussion via our various social media platforms and as ideas are shared and suggestions are made to help shape fiscal and social policy in the coming months, on both a local and national level.

“We have an important role to ensure our community is aware that together we can make it through, notes Delford Blythe, partner and director of G98.7. This is a time for cooperation, collaboration and constructive engagement on behalf of our families, the elderly, the youth, businesses and everyone in our diaspora. It is important that we proactively start conversations about what is happening, what challenges lie ahead, and what we can do as a community to ensure we come out of this crisis stronger, healthier, and in greater solidarity than when it started.”

“While all businesses are at risk during the current economic crisis, Black businesses in particular face specific challenges related to anti-Black racism and the related unavailability of investment funds and business loans,” adds BBPA President Nadine Spencer. “Fortunately, we have a number of concerned, influential members of our community and government who are receptive to our concerns and working to ensure that Black businesses receive the support they need to weather this crisis and thrive in the future.”

Members of the community are invited to tune into a special edition of Grapevine on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to let your voice be heard.

About G98.7
G98.7FM is Canada’s only Black owned and operated Commercial Radio Station serving the Black and Caribbean Community in the Greater Toronto Area. Licenced in 2011 to Intercity Broadcasting Network Inc. by the CRTC, its mission is to “enhance the lives of Canadians of Caribbean and African descent by reflecting them through programming of appropriate News, Music, Sports, Entertainment and being their voice on social, political and religious dialogue.”

About the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA):
Founded in 1983, the BBPA is a charitable organization whose mission is to advance Canada’s Black community by facilitating the delivery of programs that support business and professional excellence, higher education, and economic development.

About Operation Black Vote Canada
Established in 2004 as a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, Operation Black Vote Canada (OBVC) is focused on expanding the talent pool of future elected Black leaders in government at the Municipal, Provincial, and Federal levels.

For more information, please contact:

• BBPA online at www.bbpa.org , call (416) 504-4097, or email: communications@bbpa.org
• G98.7FM at www.g987fm.com , call (416) 804-2467 or email: dblythe@g987fm.com
• OBVC online at, www.obvc.ca email: chair@obvc.com