Regional Report

In addition to our new initiatives for 2021, we continue to revisit existing programming to identify areas for improvement. More than a year ago, we began researching additional locations to host our Hoist Program – and fortunately, we have been hosting the monthly meetups both at Volta and the North Preston Community Centre ever since. Hoist is an informative and engaging monthly meetup for teens ages 12 to 19 who are interested in entrepreneurship, technology, and business. At each session, industry leaders teach participants a new skill, then, the remainder of the day is spent applying their learnings to a hands-on project. Volta Academy’s core premise remains the same: it helps individuals take their big idea and turn it into a tech-enabled startup by providing participants with skills required to become a successful entrepreneur with a scalable business model. But, the program has expanded from 11 to 12 weeks to include a session on establishing inclusive business practices before the idea becomes a company. Applications for the winter 2021 sessions close January 13 and can be found at voltaeffect.com/ideas. In partnership with RBC, Volta continues to offer its Women Taking over the World with Tech Program each month. WTWT brings together female entrepreneurs, startup employees, and supporters to build community, grow their skillset, network, and discuss any challenges they face as they grow their business or professional careers. Over the past year, there have been some very important, much-needed conversations taking place around the world – ones that have created meaningful change, but there is still so much work to be done. Recognizing that, Volta is eager to build relationships with community partners and organizations to help identify and fill in any gaps that will make our communities safer and more inclusive places for entrepreneurs to work, learn, connect, and grow. If you would like to collaborate with us on a project, program, or initiative, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can learn more about Volta at voltaeffect.com.

Entrepreneurship Team

No doubt the last year has been very challenging to the whole world in all aspects of life. When COVID-19 started, I don’t think any of us imagined that it would last this long or the magnitude of the impact it would have on all of society globally. Once businesses started opening under new rules and protocols in June 2020, we adapted to the new norms of how to do business and interact with each other in all aspects. Now that we have experienced the first wave of COVID-19, many of us are preparing for the second wave. BBI continued to be in constant contact with Black business owners in Nova Scotia for any type of support that we could offer. We continue to split our time in the office and working remotely, reaching out to our clients via phone and holding virtual consultations. The federal government extended the Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to June 2021 and expanded the CEBA loan by $20,000 on top of the $40,000 for any business wishing to take advantage of these programs. I would like to welcome two Entrepreneurial Engagement Managers (EEM) to the team, namely; Otni Chinenere & Mamadou Wade. Congratulations go out to Cathy Akinkunmi of Beautiful Celebrations for being the recipient of the North End Award and Samantha DixsonSlawter of Styles by SD the recipient of the Gloria Fisher Persons of the Year. Samantha has also received approval from the Department of Labour and Advanced Education to open the first black hair school. This will be an apprenticeship program. To Floyd Kane who was the cover feature of our Winter 2020 issue for being appointed to the Board of Governors at St Mary’s University. I must not forget our very own Candace Thomas for being appointed as the First African Nova Scotian female Deputy Minister of Justice. On October 2nd BBI along with African Nova Scotia Affairs Office and the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency hosted their final province-wide “Trade as a Career” event at Digby Regional High School for the African NS students. Congratulations to Rodger Smith one of our Entrepreneurial Engagement Managers who has recently been appointed to the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission as an ex-official member. Please not that our in-person Thursday “intake sessions” will now be conducted over the phone or Zoom due to COVID-19 protocols. We ask that you bear with us during these times of uncertainty.