Network to support Black-led businesses

About 250 individuals will be attending customized programs with mentors and advisory services

Local Black entrepreneurs will now have a dedicated network in Hamilton to help them build their businesses thanks to $1.9 million in federal funding.

The Southwestern Ontario Black Entrepreneurship Network (SWOBEN), officially launched Monday at the Hamilton Public Library’s central branch, will assist Black-led businesses and entrepreneurs with skills training and other resources.

The event was an opportunity to showcase “our partners” and talk about some of the specifics “in terms of what exactly we’ll be doing with different offerings and programs,” said Leo Nupolu Johnson, founder of Empowerment Squared, which is leading the network.

The non-profit organization has partnered with BLK Owned — showcasing and advocating for Black-owned businesses in Hamilton — and Innovation Factory, which will help entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses.

In August, Empowerment Squared received funding from FedDev Ontario to launch Black entrepreneurship networks in Hamilton and Windsor.

The funding was a part of the federal government’s Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) — an investment of more than $265 million.

The newly formed network will be conducting training programs for individuals and business owners starting in January.

Johnson said there will be four cohorts — each of them four months long, focusing on different facets of launching and operating a business.

“Lots of Black entrepreneurs who just started their businesses haven’t really had an opportunity to receive professional training and skills development required,” said Johnson.

The entrepreneurs will also receive advisory services on business planning, marketing, communications and overhead costs as well as opportunities to network at events held in Hamilton and Windsor.

About 250 individuals will be attending the customized programs with mentors and advisory services in the coming months, but Johnson said “there will be many more participating in the networking and workshop events.”

Aspiring entrepreneurs and Black-led businesses can sign up online to be screened for the programs at swoben.ca.

The opportunity to establish a network, Johnson said, “will shine a spotlight on Black entrepreneurs (who make) immense contributions to the city, but also showcase some of the challenges they have been dealing with in spite of their contributions.”

“We’re happy that we can be bringing some solutions instead of just complaining about it.”