Training Report By Lydia Phillip, Training & Communications Manager
The Black Business Initiative (BBI)’s Training Department provides free business and professional development courses to Black and racially visible minority entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. Training offerings are delivered through 11-week programs, workshops, conferences, business consultations, and more.
InMotion: Funding Forward Momentum
Wonder Women Conference
In partnership with Sobeys, we launched a brand new initiative to highlight Black entrepreneurs in the province. InMotion is a pitch competition targeting Black entrepreneurs ages 18-39 from across Nova Scotia. On October 24th, four finalists pitched their businesses for an opportunity to win $2.500 at the first ever InMotion pitch competition. Congratulations to the four incredible finalists and the winner, Nicholas Stoddard of Dart Frog Events.
Hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, the Wonder Women Conference brought together over 400 women for a day of workshops, panels, networking and empowerment. BBI invited three incredible clients to attend the conference, showcase their products and services and make connections. During the conference, attendees stopped by the BBI booth to pick up a Black Business Directory, sample some Blue Nile products, learn about BIJ Youth programs, and chat with the entrepreneurs.
Winter 2020 Training Schedule Our Winter 2020 Training program begins the week of February 24 with the following course offerings: • Entrepreneurship Essentials • E-commerce
Community Tax Clinics BBI has partnered with Saint Mary’s University to provide space to host free community tax clinics. 4th year accounting students, hosted through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), will be on site to file personal tax returns for families and individuals. Students will support drop-in clients on a first-come-first-served basis. All are welcome! The dates and times are below:
The four InMotion pitch competition finalists
Week of March 16: • Wednesday, March 18 (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) • Thursday, March 19 (1:00 - 4:00 p.m.) • Friday, March 20 (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) • Friday, March 20 (1:00 - 4:00 p.m.)
Week of March 23: • Wednesday, March 25 (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) • Thursday, March 26 (1:00 - 4:00 p.m.) • Friday, March 27 (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) • Friday, March 27 (1:00 - 4:00 p.m.)
Have a business idea? Every Thursday between 2pm-3pm, drop in to the BBI office to chat with one of our knowledgeable Entrepreneurial Engagement Managers and learn about how BBI can assist you at any stage of your business. Thursdays don’t work for you? Not a problem! Give us a call at 902-426-8683 and plan a visit!
InMotion pitch competition winner, Nicholas Stoddard (center) with Paul MacLeod of Sobeys (left) and Matthew Martel of BBI (right) BLACK to BUSINESS
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Winter 2020
