Message from the CEO Angela Johnson once told me, “You are one of the few people who get me.” I took that as a compliment.
With the blessing of Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, BBI teamed up with the Black Cultural Centre (BCC) and Develop Nova Scotia to present the “Cultural Expression’’ opener produced by Brookes Diamond Production. The work of Russell Grosse, Craig Smith and Senator Oliver of the BCC and Anna Marenick from Develop NS made the Cultural Expressions presentation an invaluable addition which was well received as the 9,000 in attendance awaited the 44th President of the United States.
I first met Angela at a Black History Month event where she was the main speaker. I was with my eldest son who was a teenager at the time. Angela spoke extremely powerfully and my son was so impressed that he kept asking if he could meet her. We somehow managed to get an introduction, and looking back now, had I any idea the amount of work we’d undertake together over the years, I would have taken her contact information with me that night. Angela was instrumental in the Black to Business’ rise to prominence and was, along with many others, responsible for its quality.
Our collective impact included our partnership with Stewart McKelvey, the Future Leaders Champion. In addition, Business is Jammin’ (BIJ) and the Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI) partnered on the Future Leaders initiative to invite 100 emerging Black leaders to the event. Along with our community partner the BCC, we distributed over 400 guest passes to youth, community members, business-owners and Board members. Being part of the Conversation with Barack Obama presentation is one of the highlights of my life. The natural excitement in being so closely involved with an iconic hero was made even more memorable by the partnership and collaboration created by Dianne and her team. And so, if I do nothing else for the remainder of my days here on earth, I can say I met the FIRST Black President of the United States of America. History will remember him as one of the best ever. Oh, what a fantastic night!
A wise, trusted collaborator and entrepreneur with exemplary communication skills, Angela has made my world easier. As I applaud her for her years of service to BBI, I must also mention that Angela is a quintessential hero whose dedication and work for our community goes largely unrecognised and unrewarded. BBI and all of Nova Scotia should be proud of her many talents – I know that I am.
“In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less.” – Barack Obama 44th President of the United States
Diane Kelderman, CEO of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council is another great partner of the BBI. She is the force behind the CTV(ATV) top event of the year 2019 in Halifax, “A Conversation with Barack Obama.” She invited us to be a Platinum sponsor of this prestigious event we are ever so glad to have played the part we played. I still feel chills saying it. I must thank Dianne and Jeff Yuill Chair of the Board of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council for including us from early on. Along with the other great events that evening, the message from Candace Thomas of Stewart McKelvey (Future Leaders Champion) on behalf of the African Nova Scotian community was an absolutely touching one.
BLACK to BUSINESS
Respectfully,
S.I. Rustum Southwell BBI, Founding and Interim CEO
5
Winter 2020
