Black to Business – Issue 48 – Fall 2010

The Periodical of the Black Business Initiative

Greg Browning New BBI Chair Also in this Issue • Community Gardens • Military Careers Fall 2010 u Number 48

“A dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia Business Community.”

Black to Business

Fall 2010

1

Message from the Board of Directors

In this Issue

Greg Browning, Chair, Black Business Initiative 1

Message from the Chief Executive Officer

2

COVER STORY GREG BROWNING, New BBI Chair

3

Core Essentials Laurissa Manning

5

Corey Katz a photographer in the making

7

TRAILBLAZERS Military Careers

9

The Law and Your Business

12

Gardens of Love Community Gardens

13

YOUTH ON THE MOVE Reflection on Summer Programs 17 Community Supports Caribbean Twist

20

People & Business on the Move

21

OUT & ABOUT WITH THE BBI

23

Business & Community Events

25

Regional Reports Business Development

6

Central

6

Northern

8

Southern

11

26

BIJ Report

Scotians face, knowledge is power and the BBI can assist you in ensuring you have the necessary knowledge to assist in making your business more successful.

Peter Marsman

Message from the Board

T

he world is a competitive place. The recent recession and the real estate market collapse in the U.S. and its implications throughout the world underscored the fact that we are in a truly global economy.

Today, all businesses are challenged to succeed, from the largest multibillion-dollar company with tens of thousands of employees to those with one employee generating a few thousand dollars per year. All need a competitive advantage To compete we need all of the advantages we can accumulate, having information and knowledge equals power. Black-owned businesses have faced these challenges in the past and we will continue to face them into the future.

However, the Black Business Initiative has the ability to assist you, whether it’s through training and business development, financial support, contacts, or networking. Given the additional challenges African Nova Black to Business is the official periodical of The Black Business Initiative and is published quarterly spring, summer, fall, and winter. Its goal is to support the BBI as it fosters a dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia Business Community.

Mailed under Canada Post Publications Mail Sales Agreement no. 0040026687

For Advertising Information, Rates, Submitting Story Ideas, Notices or Community Events, or for More Information, call: 902-426-2224

BBI has made an impact through its programs, communications and people. It has seen more than 200 loans extended to the members of the community and 600 jobs created.

This magazine, the partnership with Global Television, the summits and other networking events have shown you can be Black and in business in Nova Scotia.

I had the opportunity this year to take part in all aspects of the BBI Summit. As Rustum Southwell, our CEO, asked in the summer edition of Black to Business, “What is the impact of the BBI?” Well, the government representatives at the Summit’s opening ceremonies were Her Honour, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Mayann Francis, the Minister of Economic and Rural Development, African Nova Scotia Affairs, and Tourism, the Honorable Percy Paris, and Funmi Joseph, the Manager of Community Economic Development for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency –from the African Nova Scotia Community.

What impact has BBI had?

Minister Paris is a previous board member. Funmi Joseph is a board member of the Black Business Community Development Fund and a past BBI staff member. Mike Wyse, Minister Paris’s executive assistant is a continued on page 6 > The Black Business Initiative Centennial Building Suite 1201,1660 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1V7 Phone: 902-426-2224 Fax: 902-426-8699 Toll Free: 1-888-664-9333 E-Mail: bbi@bbi.ns.ca Web Site: www.bbi.ca Published by: the Black Business Initiative Editor in Chief: Rustum Southwell Design & Layout: Design North Production by: Mirabliss Media Productions Cover Photographs: Peter Marsman

Black to Business

2

Fall 2010

Message From the Chief Executive Officer

Peter Marsman

S. I. Rustum Southwell

G

lobalization is moving many cultures to network, partner and interface with each other at an accelerating pace.

Biomedica Diagnostics is doing business in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and North and South America. Vale and Associates works in the Caribbean.

GenieKnows is an international search engine. Bin Doctor imports products worldwide. Logix Consultants Ltd. consults internationally. Canjam Trading specializes in exporting fish around the globe.

Sureshot Dispensing is a big international restaurant equipment supplier, and Dantra is an expert in commercial flooring with offices in Canada, the Caribbean and China.

What do these businesses have in common? They are all Nova Scotia-based Black-owned businesses.

And they are using importing and exporting as a method to successfully compete and grow their companies in this tough economy.

The recent period of economic depression, market fear, uncertainty and negativity has been most difficult. The current business climate is laden with doubt and low confidence, every bit of business acuity and doggedness is needed to

get through this period. However, as always, throughout modern economic history, the only way out is to go forward, and that path must be led by the best entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators, inventors, and business leaders.

We pride ourselves as being part of the solution. In order to achieve this effectively and efficiently, the proper resources and partners must be in place. While we continue to face tremendous change in the current business environment, our cooperative efforts will allow us to successfully meet those challenges together and mutually prosper.

The companies referenced earlier are some of the best entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators, inventors, and business leaders within Nova Scotia and Canada. However, we need many, many more.

To improve our potential for success we demand continuous rethinking of how we will deliver our services and remain efficient, effective and fiscally prudent. In doing so, we realize that we do not have all the answers nor are we in this journey alone.

We pride ourselves as being part of the solution. In order to achieve this effectively and efficiently, the proper resources and partners must be in place.

Consequently, the annual board retreat was expanded to include additional community members. The three pillars of our current strategic plan – Sustainability, Partnership and Capacity – will take us to 2014.

In fact, in partnership with the Government of Canada – through Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency – and the Province of Nova Scotia – through the Department of Tourism, Culture, & Heritage and the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs – we led a best-practice tourism trade mission to Virginia.

The goal of this partnership is about putting together the foundation for an overall cultural tourism strategy that will grow the Nova Scotian economy in a competitive and inclusive manner. It is also about learning from existing successful best-practices examples in order to create a better cultural tourism product within Nova Scotia. We believe that diversity is not a goal, it is our strength. The six selected agencies returned energized to improve their products and grow their markets in the province.

In terms of Capacity, business skills development – training - is still our number one priority when validating our mission, vision and principles. We are seeing great results here. The Constructing the Future program is in its second cohort and is continuing to make significant inroads. Although it is still quite early, this very supportive delivery of learning will increase the availability of skilled Black participants in the higher-waged skilled trades, with a better than average potential for success in getting apprenticed tradespeople. It bodes well for the future.

As we revisit how we deliver our overall training product, we are focused in on the young people. First, a need to help develop a catalyst continued on page 8 >

Black to Business

Fall 2010

3

Greg Browning

New Chair of the BBI Board or Directors

Carol Dobson / Photography: Peter Marsman

Black to Business

A

t the recent Black Business Initiative annual meeting, Greg Browning took over from Cassandra Dorrington as the BBI’s chair.

Biographically speaking, Browning is a native Nova Scotian – born in Metro and raised in the Annapolis Valley. He’s a graduate of Acadia University, married to Deborah Mason-Browning, and has been employed by RBC for more than three decades.

He’s been on the board for the past five years, serving in a variety of roles, including as the chair of the finance committee and chair of the BBI’s Community Investment Fund.

“I learned about the BBI from my mother, Geraldine, who served on the board for nine years,” he says.

“As I talked to her, I saw what was happening with the BBI and, when I was asked to join the board, I was pleased to get involved.

“Before that, I was involved with a group, under the auspices of Voluntary Planning, that was trying to figure out what the African Nova

4 Scotian business community would need. That was followed by a task force set up by the provincial government, which eventually led to the beginning of the BBI.” He says one of the things that’s impressed him about the BBI is the fact that the organization is so professional in the way it deals with the business community.

“We have a talented and diverse board of directors who are there purely to assist the African Nova Scotian business community. There are no hidden agendas and every decision is made for the right reasons.”

He also recognizes how important the BBI has become to members of the community, and not just as a source of financial assistance. The training component is just as important, as is the moral support.

“I often find myself at events where there are BBI clients present. They may not be using as many of our services as they did when they were first starting out but they still have a connection to us.”

He is also proud of the way the BBI has spread out into the community,

Fall 2010

“We have a talented and diverse board of directors who are there purely to assist the African Nova Scotian business community.

There are no hidden agendas and every decision is made for the right reasons.”

– Greg Browning

whether it’s through the Business is Jammin’ program, the support of community gardens, the community investment fund, or its relationship with organizations such as the African Nova Scotian Music Association (ANSMA).

“Everything they’ve done is first class... and professionally managed,” Browning says.

Because of programs like Business is Jammin’, he’s confident in the future successes of this province’s entrepreneurs.

“I remember reading a story written by a mother about her two young daughters. They organized a large fund-raising dinner for their community after participating in one of the business camps. I was impressed by the confidence these two young girls had as a result of the camp and by the impact the camps were having.”

“While we at the board level may not be on the ground, we’re still seeing the results of the BBI’s work and the impact it has on the community.”

Black to Business

Fall 2010

5

Core Essentials

Personal Training • Nutrition • Sport Conditioning Paul Adams

chairs and footstools crowds a corner, inviting a siesta or an after-class chitchat.

Laurissa Manning, Core Essentials

L

aurissa Manning’s lunch-hour clients settle in for 45 minutes of fitness training at her Core Essentials studio in downtown Dartmouth. No dumbbells. No heavy equipment. Just six sets of black and yellow straps suspended from the ceiling.

“People are using gravity and their body weight for resistance,” says Manning of the highly effective TRX suspension training. “Depending on where their body happens to be in space or in gravity, they’re using the straps to move and lift more of their body weight. You won’t see a lot of gym equipment here. We use our bodyweight [for resistance] which builds long, lean muscle and is really nice in toning.”

Not everyone is convinced when they first walk through the doors of Core Essentials.

“We’ve had men walk through the door and they don’t see the dumbbells, the barbells, and they’re like, ‘Well, what can you do here?’ And you put them through one of these workouts, and they’re fried!”

Yes, looks can be deceiving. At first glance, Manning’s three-level fitness studio – with its hardwood floors, high ceilings and open concept – has the feeling of a dance studio. Water rowers and kettle bells are packed neatly along the walls of the main floor studio. A cluster of red arm-

A far cry from Manning’s previous set up. The mother of two would regularly train clients in her home, run bootcamps in public parks, and dash away from her full-time job at IT Interactive Services Inc. (a Manning family company located in downtown Halifax) to teach classes at Nubody’s.

“I’ve worked at larger big-box gyms and so I knew what I didn’t want,” says Manning, who opened Core Essentials with her husband and business partner Mark Harper in November 2009. “The idea of having a space was to be able to build a community for our clients so that they can come and feel comfortable, hang out before class or after class.”

Apart from knowing all of her clients by name, Manning takes clients’ busy schedules into consideration when scheduling classes and designing the studio space.

Shauntay Grant

letes. We’ve had competitive surfers.

We’ve got a Canada Games curling team that comes here. We’ve got soccer players… the guys that come, they come for very specific training.”

Core Essentials offers a range of fitness services you’ll find nowhere else in the city, and in some cases, nowhere this side of Toronto – TRX suspension training; rowing machines carrying 19 litres of water that simulate the intensity of an actual water row; kettle bells – a Russian fitness tool that’s been around for hundreds of years; and a loft-located bike room with a view of Halifax harbour and featuring unique indoor cycling bikes that lean 18 degrees in either direction.

“They’re an amazing workout,” says Manning. “Thirty-minutes on those is equivalent to an hour on a regular spin bike. And you’re not only getting the lower body and cardio, you’re also getting core and upper body.”

With classes lasting no longer than 45 minutes and a conveniently located studio just minutes from the Dartmouth Ferry at Alderney Landing, Core Essentials is wellplaced to provide both efficient and effective fitness services to its clientele.

“I work full time, so I can squeeze in time during lunchtime,” says Sarah Eng. “I have a 20-month-old at home so I can’t do things in the evening,” adds Jennifer Chapman. “So I can come up on my lunch hour, do a 30-minute or 45-minute workout, shower and go back to work.”

Manning also continues her regular bootcamps off-site. And in the summer months Core Essentials offers a stroller camp for mommies and babies.

“Probably 90 percent of our clients are women,” says Manning. “The men that come here are usually ath-

Laurissa Manning

407-3338

www.coressentials.ca

Black to Business BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

REPORT Gordon Doe

CEDIF: Invest in Nova Scotia Last quarter we made our eleventh investment, the first in the entertainment sector. Request for investment dollars these past few months have been high, particularly from the construction sector. The Fund plans to sell more shares at year end to position it for bigger deals. For further information or to invest please call me at 426-6985.

Constructing The Future It is different when you do not have to measure success in only nominal dollars and cents but in positive, real changes made in the lives of people you see every day. Such changes are difficult, if not impossible, to quantify in dollar terms. Like Phase I, Phase II of our “Constructing The Future” (CTF) program has been very successful thus far.

Here are some numbers.

We have 17 of our initial 25 participants still in the program after seven months.

It is wonderful to see the positive steps that participants have made. Six of the participants are currently in the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) pursuing twoyear construction trade programs. Ten are on different work placements in plumbing, carpentry, electrical and roofing. Last but not least, one participant is attending the NSCC Adult Learning Program to obtain a grade twelve certificate.

These numbers, coupled with the fact that five participants from our Phase1 program are still at NSCC and others are running their own small businesses or are employed, are a strong sign of the program’s success.

In an effort to build partnerships with private sector employers and the local construction sector labour unions, we hosted a Construction Stakeholder meeting on Thursday, May 27. These stakeholders agreed to help us secure work placements for the participants and they have done just that.

Our ongoing partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Workforce Development and the Nova Scotia Community College has made this program successful. We thank these key stakeholders.

Please call Jaime Williams at 426-7973 to add your name to the list of interested people for a potential Phase III.

As always, please feel free to call me at 426-6985 if you have any questions or plan to invest.

6 Message from the BOD continued from page 1

past BBI staff member and a former BBI Chair.

As well, I was speaking with representatives of Michelin Tires’ procurement group from the U.S. and they indicated that the Summit was one of the best run and enjoyable conferences they had ever attended.

Our CEO, at a recent annual retreat, indicated in his remarks that the BBI “punches above its weight.”

I encourage Black businesses and those looking to be in business to take full advantage of this organization and what it has to offer.

To our Past Chair, Cassandra Dorrington, I offer my thanks for your time and dedication over the past nine years, the last four as board chair.

You have moved us to the next level through the implementation of our composite business model that now ensures governance and accountability remain in the forefront. Also, during your tenure, we have seen projects such as the Community Garden flourishing in three communities, and Constructing the Future is now in its second group.

Your impact will be felt among Black businesses and in the community for years to come.

We would like to offer congratulations in your new role as president of the Canadian Aboriginal Minority Suppliers Council and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors. We will take you up on your offer to be a friend and advocate for the BBI in the future.

I have been on the board for five years, and, as you can see, I have been truly impressed with the professionalism of the organization and the dedication of the staff and my fellow board members.

I look forward to working with this talented group of people as we continue with our “One Brand, One Vision”…

Greg Browning, Chair

Fall 2010

REGIONAL REPORT

Central Shakara Russell

Small and medium-sized businesses, which make up 97.5% of all businesses, are the driving force of the Canadian economy. The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has organized Small Business Week® the third week of October for over 30 years and this year it took place October 17–23, 2010. During the week business people celebrated the contributions and achievements of entrepreneurs through conferences, luncheons and trade fairs. These provided tremendous opportunities for networking and peer learning. I invite you to explore the BBI website (www.bbi.ca) for information on events that are occurring throughout the province On another note - On October 23, 2010, the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association (CANSA) hosted a gala honouring past and present Cumberland County athletes. The keynote speaker was Willi O Ree, the first Canadian Black NHL hockey player whose career started in 1958 when he made his debut in the National Hockey League. CANSA is also celebrating 225 years of African Nova Scotian heritage in Cumberland County.

Lastly, my congratulations to Rainie Williams and Tyson Tolliver on expanding their business – ‘Ruff Endz Clothing’. These entrepreneurs have been operating for six years and are now online with their trendy fashion clothing at: www.ruffendzclothing.com.

If you have comments, questions, suggestions, etc., please feel free to contact me at (902) 426-6692 or email: Russell.Shakara@bbi.ns.ca

Black to Business

Fall 2010

7

Corey Katz Corey Katz

a photographer in the making

Katz’s next big dream is to have his own studio. For now, he’s doing most of his bookings in outdoor locations. When he does need to shoot inside, the Coastal Arts Initiative, a group Katz co-founded for young artists, has space for him to do his work.

Corey Katz , self-portrait

W

hen Corey Katz sees good lighting or beautiful clouds, there’s a chance he’ll jump in the car and race to capture the moment while it lasts.

“I’m pretty much always in the mood to go out and take pictures,” he says. “I zone out . . . I don’t think about anything else when I’m taking photos.” This is a good thing for the 24-year-old entrepreneur from Cape Breton, who seems to have found his calling. Katz’s newly registered business, Corey Katz Photography, was taking bookings even before it was officially launched.

Katz was recently featured in a B2B Youth on the Move article.

Since then, his dream of owning a business and doing photography full time has become a reality. He was given a business loan, which enabled him to purchase all the equipment he needed. For those who read the previous article on Katz, he’s finally got his Nikon

Charlene Davis

D700, along with about $10,000 worth of other new Nikon gear. To improve his skills on the business side of things, Katz participated in The Self-Employment Benefit Program through Coastal Business Development Corporation.

Katz’s work has a signature look to it. “Deep shadows” he says, “that’s what gives [my photos] the feeling, the consistency . . . and a sensitivity to light.”

Overall though, he doesn’t plan his photos, but rather shoots just about anything that sparks his interest. He mostly does weddings, event photography and commercial work, but that’s not his real passion. “I would love to do fine artwork . . . but in order for me to actually make a living doing this, I would have to do portraits and stuff like that.” When he started to focus on the business side of things, he wondered if he wanted to continue to make photography his life but eventually came to love all aspects of running a business.

In the meantime, Katz is excited about finally getting his work exhibited outside of Cape Breton.

Three of his pieces are part of Nocturne, an annual Halifax art festival. It’s been a long process, but Katz says, “I couldn’t be more happy . . . to be able to do this for a living and not have to work at a call centre or at a fast food place is a big relief, and everyday I’m more grateful for being able to do what I love.” Katz is planning to keep busy doing what he loves. In addition to Nocturne and focusing on his newly launched business, he has exhibitions at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design throughout the fall.

Corey Katz

p h oto g r a p h y

537-0451 or 304-3024 www. corey katZ photography .com

Black to Business

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Message from the CEO

REGIONAL REPORT Northern

continued from page 2

for excellence and career growth, networks, business and job creation is driving a need to fill a void among our young professionals. Secondly, the rate of growth of the community garden concept led and driven by Jessie Jollymore of the North End Health Clinic is an example of the power of one multiplied. From what was a concept with nine children just three years ago to a social enterprise with a line of vinaigrette dressing, green house, and 27 kids from 50 families is quite a capacity growth.

More on all three community gardens is in this issue of the magazine.

Yes, we are still staying focused on our direction, this despite the many transitions and succession planning in the organization. Past Chair Cassandra Dorrington passed the

For information on business opportunities with Encana’s Deep Panuke natural gas development in Nova Scotia’s offshore, visit the Deep Panuke pages on the Encana website at www.encana.com/deeppanuke/business

www.encana.com

Fall 2010

reins of the organization to Greg Browning. We welcome his first message as chair in this issue. Our controller Idy Fashoranti is now on a one-year leave of absence. While she is away, the interim controller is Frank Belanger.

It is always pleasing to see the results we are achieving in the community and business owners lives. The only way out is the way forward.

The board and staff of the BBI is committed to helping Black business succeed by showing leadership, accountability and leading the way forward.

S.I. Rustum Southwell, CEO

For information on employment opportunities at Deep Panuke, visit the Careers section on Encana’s website at www.encana.com or the Career Beacon website at www.careerbeacon.com

Njabulo Nkala While summer months are traditionally low key, this summer did see the successful launch of the Glace Bay U.N.I.A. Cultural Museum’s Community Mandela Spirit Garden on August 13 – congratulations to them.

As we transition from such a beautiful summer into the cooler months, many entrepreneurs are setting their eyes on new projects such as businesses expansions and start-ups. The key to a successful project is in the entrepreneur’s ability to harness the right resources and then use them effectively. These resources include expertise and knowledge available in various places including here at the BBI. Therefore, let us know what you are taking on so that we can work with you to achieve success.

Explore our website that has a lot of useful information and links; take some of our courses to gain better business knowledge.

As the new season begins, I predict busy business activity in the months ahead. As the new regional business development manager for the northern region, I look forward to making my maiden trip in early fall to familiarize myself with the Blackowned businesses in the area and anticipate working with same.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have comments, questions, suggestions and enquiries at (902) 426-4281 or e-mail at: Nkala.Njabulo@bbi.ns.ca .

Black to Business

9

Peter Marsman

Military Careers

Fall 2010

Tiffany Grant

John Madison

R

etired Chief Petty Officer First Class John Madison was the first African-Canadian working in a submarine in the Canadian Navy. He served 39 years before retiring in 1993.

Madison, who is originally from Montreal and now resides in East Preston, was stationed on submarines for 18 years.

In 1964, he went to England for three years and trained on the submarine HMS Finwhale. He then commissioned and brought the HMCS Onondaga to Halifax in 1967. Madison did not realize that he was the first AfricanCanadian to serve on a submarine until someone pointed it out to him years later.

There are several jobs on a submarine. As you go up the pecking order, he says, you go from running the galley, to working in the control room, then on to chief of the watch, where a person

controls the submarine from the control room; there is also navigation, where a person is responsible for plotting the position of the submarine, working on the control panel, diving the boat, navigating the submarine, and a ship’s diver.

During the course of his career Madison held all of these positions.

“I enjoyed my career in the services. Most of all, I enjoyed my time in the submarine service, the complexity of what you were doing, the different jobs, [and] responsibilit[ies]. It’s a different world being under water compared to being on top the surface,” he says.

Now that he is retired, he works with the archives at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic setting up submarine exhibitions and memorabilia. He also engages in a “little hunting [and a] little fishing.” He also travels; in 2009, he went on a 21-day trip touring South Africa with his wife and friends.

In this Issue of Bla

feature men of the

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Black to Business

ack to Business we

e military. They are

litary - advancing in

ng their country and

me and abroad.

Fall 2010

Peter Marsman

10

Perry Colley

P

erry Colley, Chief Petty Officer in the Canadian Navy, makes it his mission to educate the youth about career opportunities in the military. He has been a part of the navy for 33 years and has full knowledge of what military life is like.

Columbia, for four years, and also in Vancouver for two years with the reserve unit HMCS Discovery.

In November of 1992, he went on a six-month UN mission in Cambodia, where he was a part of the United Nations Transitional Authority as a naval observer. They also assisted the UN civilian elecHe says, in the African-Canadian toral committee in preparing for community, “Children don’t see the the first democratic elections since military as a career opportunity.

What I have tried to [do is] educate the defeat of Pol Pot and the Khmer them, educate their parents and edu- Rouge. cate the community as a whole that Colley was also a part of the Canada Remembrance Guard on it’s not a bad organization.” the fiftieth anniversary of D-Day, Colley, who grew up in East Preston, where a 100-man guard visited all the towns and cities that the started out in military life with the Canadian army helped liberate durarmy reserves as a member of The Princess Louise Fusiliers. In late 1977, ing World War II. he transferred to the naval reserve.

Today, he is a coxswain, which is the Colley enjoys the camaraderie in the navy. He says he sees people chief administrator, on board the who were his supervisors in the past HMCS Summerside. and the friendship is still there. He His career has taken him across also likes the possibility of having an influence “on someone younger Canada and throughout the as they go through their career.” world. He was in Esquimalt, British continued on page 11 >

Black to Business

Peter Marsman

Trailblazers - Military Careers

11 continued from page 10

Tony Kelly

Fall 2010

REGIONAL REPORT Southern Greg Nazaire

In the southern region, the Black Loyalist Heritage Society in Birchtown is buzzing with activity and I have the great privilege of volunteering as a member of their steering committee.

P

etty Officer First Class Tony Kelly has served in various conflicts during his 28 years in the Canadian Navy. In his current position as a divisional petty officer working in the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School, he sees “promise in everyone.”

Kelly was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica, lived in England, and moved to Hampton, New Brunswick, when he was 13.

When he was getting into trouble as a youth, it was recommended that he look into a military career, which he did.

In 1990, he was deployed to the Gulf War on HMCS Terra Nova.

Remembering the day when he, along with his shipmates, left for the Gulf, he said that as they left Halifax Harbour, the whole shoreline was lined with people.

He said, as they departed the harbour, they stood in unison on the ship’s upper decks and they usually talked on the side of their

mouths while standing at attention. That did not happen this time.

“I did not hear a peep out of anyone, because we did not truly know, until we got in the theatre, [which is the area of conflict] what our job description was going to be,” remembers Kelly.

While in the Gulf, they never had to attack anyone, but their job was to enforce the weapons and fuel embargo.

Other conflicts Kelly served in were the Bosnian Crisis in 1994 and in the Persian Gulf in 2002.

Today, he is administratively responsible for students taking their trade courses within the naval engineering school. He says he sees “promise in everyone.” He says, even though a person might be a lot of work and people may say they give up on a person, “No one gave up on me.”

The creation of the Yarmouth community garden is a success and a good example for the youth of sustainability in the region. I thank BBI board members and project champions, Chuck Smith and Bruce Johnston, and our partners: Parents’ Place Yarmouth Family Resource Centre; Black Employment Resources Centre; Community Business Development Corporation; Tusket River Environmental Project Association (TREPA); and Tutor Mentor Program for their support.

I would like to congratulate Tony Wynder from Global Paving.

Global Paving is as a thriving black construction firm that provides a variety of services that ranges from paving to landscaping. It is located on 178 Stanfield Ave., Dartmouth.

If you reside in the Halifax Regional Municipality, feel free to give Mr. Wynder a call whenever you need some construction related services, landscaping or snow removal works.

Should you require further information or to book a regional visit please contact me at: (902)426-1625 or the toll free number 1(800)668-1010

Black to Business

Fall 2010

12

The Law and Your Business

contributed

Candace L. Thomas, Partner, Corporate Group, Stewart McKelvey, Barristers, Solicitors & Trademark Agents

Black to Business introduces a new regular feature in this issue. Each installment will deal with the legalities of your business.

If you have questions you would like answered, please contact the BBI.

The ABC’s of Shareholders’ Agreements The subject matter of this column will be of interest to readers who are considering incorporating a company to carry on a business and those who have already done so. Those of you who read the inaugural column of “The Law and Your Business” in the last issue of Black to Business, and those who are already familiar with business structures, know that a limited liability company is owned by its shareholders and managed by the directors, who appoint officers to take care of a company’s daily operations. A shareholders’ agreement can be crafted to allow the shareholders to directly influence the management and direction of a company’s business, but they are often overlooked. As a cautionary note, legal and tax advice should be sought at the outset.

What is a shareholders’ agreement and why should you have one?

A shareholders’ agreement is a written contract between the company and its owners that governs the relationship of the shareholders. If there is no such agreement in place, the legislation under which the company was incorporated (in Nova Scotia, the Companies Act) sets the

rules. Think of a shareholders’ agreement as a pre-nuptial agreement or marriage contract, but in a business context. If shareholders want to avoid uncertainty or issues down the road, or at least set the framework for how to deal with them, it would be prudent to enter into a ‘welldrafted’ agreement which accurately reflects the parties’ understanding of their arrangement at a time when everyone is getting along. This can be done at the outset when a new company is formed or sometime afterwards - before trouble erupts.

Shareholders can amend or replace an existing agreement at any time when warranted by changing circumstances.

A shareholders’ agreement is a private document. Unlike a company’s articles of association, a shareholders’ agreement is not filed with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies and, therefore, is not part of the public record.

What should be included in a shareholders’ agreement?

Shareholders’ agreements must be customized to reflect the specific circumstances and wishes of the parties involved. It can be simple or complex, dealing with as few or as many matters as the shareholders desire.

Some of the more common provisions of shareholders’ agreements include: • transferring the responsible for all or certain aspects of the man agement of the company from the directors to the shareholders; • giving specific rights to minority shareholders to sit on the board of directors or appoint nominee directors; • protecting minority shareholder rights by requiring certain significant decisions, such as the change in the core business of the company, to be made by a unanimous vote of the shareholders;

•

•

•

•

•

•

restricting the rights of shareholders who wish to sell or transfer their shares, whether to third parties or each other; requiring the mandatory sale of shares in the event of the death, disability, bankruptcy, cessation of employment, separation or divorce of a share holder or an individual who controls a corporate shareholder of a company; restricting shareholders from engaging in another business that competes with the company’s business and requiring shareholders to adhere to rules of confidentiality; setting out how the shares of the company are to be valued and setting out the procedure to be followed when shares are sold or transferred; stipulating whether shareholders are required to make additional cash contributions to grow the company or whether all financing is to be obtained from financial institutions; and providing a mechanism to resolve shareholder disputes through alternatives to preclude litigation, such as mediation or arbitration.

You can see from this list, which is not exhaustive, that careful and thoughtful planning should precede entering into a shareholders’ agreement. In an effort to avoid future uncertainty and lengthy legal entanglements, take the time to consider your present circumstances as a shareholder and where you want to end up if things go sideways. Next, seek advice from your legal and tax advisors. Once your agreement is in place, you can focus on the task of running your business.

The information presented above is for informative purposes only. All information provided is of a general nature and is not intended as legal advice and does not address the circumstances of any particular person.

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Fall 2010

Charlene Davis

YARMOUTH

T

he number one priority of the Yarmouth community garden “is to help families that wouldn’t have the opportunity” to grow their own produce, says Annette Deveau, the garden coordinator.

The garden has been around for

about five years and holds approximately 20 plots, which are offered to members of the community on a first-come, first-served basis, but Deveau says, “We’ve never had to turn anyone away.”

Thanks to donations, all of the seeds, water, tools, etc. are provided. All gardeners need to worry about is planting and caring for their crops.

Some plots are given to community organizations.

This year, with collaboration

from the Black Employment Resource Centre and the Black Business Initiative a youth project was developed. Chuck Smith and Bruce Johnson, along with a committee with representatives from other community businesses and organizations, provided an opportunity for at-risk youth to work in the garden.

Smith says finding devoted youth was a lot harder than he expected, but he hopes to have a bigger group to work with next year.

Despite small numbers, Smith still sees this year as a success. The youth are “growing vegetables; they’re getting out and weeding and planting; they’re selling their products and they’re getting some business ideas.” They made almost $300 and 75 percent of the profit will go back into the program for next year with the rest going to a charity. The biggest success though, was the commitment and patience it took for the youth “to see the end result of their labour,” says Smith, and what they learned. “I was surprised at how much they didn’t know, they didn’t know what a squash was.” Smith dreams of the youth being in charge of their own spot outside of the community garden next year and developing an actual business, but seeing them actually eat vegetables and the community’s support for the project is a dream come true already.

Black to Business

GLACE BAY

of the BBI to discuss the project, and with the help of volunteer senior citizens, things began to take off.

The seniors researched how to prepare gardens, figuring out what would and wouldn’t grow.

They grew flowers in raised boxes and were also inspired to grow herbs. Nelson Mandela grew herbs in prison to help maintain a healthy mind, body and soul.

F

or the

newly established Glace Bay community garden, the children are the main focus. African Nova Scotian children from the 4-plus program (ages 3 to 4) get to learn about seeds, growing environments and planting herbs. Last September, Theresa Brewster of the UNIA Cultural Museum and Hall met with Cheyanne Gorman-Tolliver

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Another inspiration from Mandela’s garden involved the children. They wrote or drew their dreams for the future on pieces of paper and b u r - ied them under the soil before planting the herbs. A challenge arose when the group got the city to

UNIA for children’s programs.

The garden has become a major part of the community. “Each evening we’d sit under the apple tree and talk and laugh. It was really beautiful,” says Brewster. Next year, Brewster wants to grow more vegetables, sell more hot sauce, and is excited about the new batch of 4-plus children that will be coming through the program.

donate fertilizer.

“The neighbourhood almost went crazy,” says Brewster, “because we didn’t realize how it smelled. But we got over that hurdle.”

Next, they found a good price on a tiller to work the soil and the children worked hard picking weeds and deciding what to plant: everything they needed to make and sell West Indian Hot Sauce, with proceeds going to the continued on page 15 >

Black to Business Gardens of Love

Fall 2010

15

continued from page 14

Paul Adams

‘MR. LOPPIE’

JESSIE JOLLYMORE Mr. Loppie & Jessie Jollymore in the Garden

W

hen it comes time for retirement, it’s important to have a plan, or so says Mr. Loppie. He’s considered the father of the community garden movement in North End Halifax.

Three years ago, before retiring from the YMCA where he’d worked for 16 years, he saw the garden, and working with children, as part of his plan.

When the official garden began to take form, Loppie became excited to teach the children about seeds and the finer parts of gardening. “Don’t touch my worms!” he’d tell them with a laugh. With the help of other community members, he teaches the kids about growing and selling. He’s been around kids all of his life and says, “I’ve seen some go the wrong way and you can’t help everybody… just the ones who want to be helped.” He lives by the motto, “if you’re going to do something, do it from your heart and don’t expect rewards.” Loppie has always loved gardening, and through

the community garden, he can see how lives change.

“What they get out of just growing a seed . . . it makes you look at life” differently.

Loppie believes gardening is great for getting outdoors, meeting people, and for education. “I’m learning, myself,” he says. With a laugh, he calls himself a “jack of all trades, master of none.”

He’s also involved in helping with the community plots, planting seeds or building fences. In the beginning, the garden had no water. “I had to put five 100-foot hoses together,” says Loppie. He did this to get water for the garden from a house across the street. This past year, Loppie was honoured for his volunteer work by being named Maritimer of the Week.

A

bout three years ago, Jessie Jollymore of Halifax’s North End Community Health Centre was on a flight.

She was looking at a philanthropy magazine featuring a youth-run business when she decided she needed to find something to help North End youth empower their futures. One day in January, walking by the near abandoned garden, she realized

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Fall 2010

ANNIVERSARY

“this is where it needs to happen. A garden has to flourish here.” She found out the only maintained plot belonged to Mr. Loppie, and got him and some other community members on board.

There had been a lot of vandalism to the garden in the past, so though supportive, the community members were nervous to try again. To solve this, a big sign was built with all of the youth’s names painted on it, so everyone would know it was the children’s garden. The community sees the kids are out there twice a week working, says Jollymore, and when people care about something, that’s what makes the difference. The neighbours watch out for the garden and protect it.

The youth are now running a salad dressing business. Jollymore’s goals are to “instil a feeling of empowerment” in the youth and to “instil a mindset of generosity, no matter how little they may have according to the world’s standards.” She sees the youth’s commitment as astounding.

“They’re up at 5:30 in the morning” excited and eager to sell their product, says Jollymore. She doesn’t see herself as responsible for the garden’s success, rather, she’s involved in creating the environment, helping with funding and grants and making sure it all runs smoothly. “The community,” she says, “is what makes it come to life.”

Despite this, Jollymore says, “I live and breathe that garden.”

T

he North End Community Garden started with 12 or 14 kids three years ago.

Jessie Jolly-

more, an employee of the community health centre, was the main organizer. The garden now has approximately 40 youth and about 15 plots for community families. “Every year it’s getting bigger . . . I can put 20 people on a list who want to start a garden next year,” says volunteer, Mr. Loppie.

About a year into working on the garden, people began to take notice.

Community organizations, such as the Black Business Initiative, began to get involved. “We have all the tools,” says Loppie, “and donated seeds as well . . . if it wasn’t for the businesses and organizations and the volunteers, it wouldn’t work.” There aren’t any locks on the garden or tool shed, the community has complete access, and as a result, they hold it as sacred, says Jollymore.

The second year, says Loppie, they decided, “we have so many vegetables, let’s put them together” and make a salad dressing. The dressing uses the herbs the children grow, and is sold at the Halifax Seaport Market. All of the proceeds go to a scholarship fund for the youth and to a charity the kids choose. A local marketing business helped with the bottle labels, which feature a child’s picture and the motto: “Plant a seed, harvest a dream.” The business, Hope Blooms, is now a registered charity.

The dressing sold out the first two weeks at the market. “It’s a great product,” says Jollymore, because they use only high quality ingredients. “It’s something that’s unique.”

Wondering how they’d keep the business up through the colder months, Loppie thought of contacting the Navy. As part of United Way’s Day of Care, a greenhouse was built on land donated by St. Patrick’s Church “so we can have our herbs all winter long,” says Loppie. This year, they’re also starting fall planting for the first time. It’s about having vision, says Jollymore, having dreams that we can make happen.

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Fall 2010

Chad Lucas YOUTH ON THE MOVE Reflection on Summer Programs

BIJ Summer Youth Coordinators—left to right: Lindsay MacDonald (Glace Bay), Keisha Jefferies (Hfx), Norah Mvududu (Dart.), Ariel Smith (Yarmouth), Rene Boudreau (Truro), and Ellis Ffrench (Kentville).

Rene Boudreau, Truro Region

A

fter being awarded the position of Summer Youth Coordinator for the Truro Region, I was extremely excited and eager to find ways in which I could introduce business and entrepreneurship to youth.

Before the program began, I was feeling somewhat nervous because I've never been a coordinator. However, I was up for the challenge and constantly thinking of different ideas that could be applied to the many events that were to take place over the summer.

Once the program started, I breathed a sigh of relief because I realized I had a lot of support. If there was an area I needed help with or a question I needed answered, someone was always there. I also realized that it's important to communicate and to share ideas with other coordinators because it can make your job a lot easier.

This summer, I encountered simplicity as well as difficulty. One example of a challenge was when I wasn't able to find a space to hold the camps in New Glasgow. Although I was a bit

frustrated, I didn't let it discourage me because I knew that I did my part in trying. Besides that hurdle, the rest of the summer was a success. I had the opportunity to get feedback from some of the youth and am very pleased with their responses.

I've learned so much from this program. I improved my communication, organizational, and dealing with people skills. This will definitely benefit me in the future. I also feel that through presentations, workshops and camps my confidence level has improved. What I will take away from this program is that our youth are our future, and it's important to make these sorts of programs available to them in order to for them to grow.

Programs like Business is Jammin’ are valuable to the community because they give the youth a chance to engage in education programs that will benefit them in the future. These programs give them the starting tools they need to be successful.

This has definitely been a great experience and I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity of working with BIJ as the Summer Youth Coordinator in the Truro Region.

Black to Business

Norah Mvududu, Dartmouth Region

18

T

his summer has been great.

It was challenging, fulfilling and altogether enjoyable. I was assigned to the North Preston Recreation Centre as my home base, responsible for the Dartmouth Area. I was a little nervous, but my first day there was great and everyone made me feel as comfortable as possible and all my worries seemed to fade away as each minute passed.

The first month was all about finding locations for camps, scheduling camps and recruiting children for my camps. My initial goal was to have five camps and three workshops, but as the camps started running it looked as if my dreams were not going to come true after all. I underestimated how difficult it would be to find locations that were within the budget and in a convenient area for the children.

In the end, I had four camps and two workshops. During that first month I did presentations at various schools as a method of recruiting children.

The first camp was nerve wracking, as I was unsure of how the children would react to me and the program.

Fortunately, they were a great group

Some of the participants at the 2010 BIJ Summer Youth Camps

Fall 2010 and made the whole camp more manageable. I became more creative, adding extra games to the day’s activities.

This was a way for me to incorporate something fun, and that way we met halfway.

Now that it is over I am sad because even though I faced some challenges, it gave me joy to know that I was helping some children and making a difference in their summer vacations. This was definitely a learning experience for me as I leave with a great appreciation for these types of programs. Since I was not born here, I learnt to appreciate the AfricanCanadian culture and the similarities that Africans and Canadians share.

In conclusion, I feel that programs like this are valuable to the community, because not only do the children enjoy them but they also learn something paramount about the value of money and the results of hard work. Each child left the camps knowing that in the next school year they were going to work harder in order to one day reach their goals. Thank you for opening up my eyes and including me in this experience. I was truly blessed and I appreciated every minute I spent running this program.

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Fall 2010

Black to Business

20

Fall 2010

Community Supports Caribbean Twist

Sunjay Mathuria

Paul Adams

A representative from Planning and Development agreed to meet the owners of Caribbean Twist and go through what they would need to do to keep the restaurant.

“Just in a matter of days of when the story broke, everything flipped around,” says Hibbert.

Caribbean Twist is here to stay. And the future couldn’t look any brighter. “This is just a prelude of what’s going to be,” says Hibbert, who wants to make some changes to Caribbean Twist before delving into the possibilities of other locations.

Sherri and Lyndon Hibbert, Caribbean Twist

O

n July 1, Lyndon Hibbert, one of the owners of Caribbean Twist, received a notice that said his Halifax restaurant on Gottingen Street would need to be relocated within 30 days or it would be shut down. The notice, which was from HRM Planning and Development Services, indicated that the location of Caribbean Twist is zoned for convenience stores, not food establishments.

But despite all this, Hibbert wasn’t too worried. Located near the Hydrostone Market, Caribbean Twist offers a unique set of spices to its neighbourhood that Halifax residents cannot seem to get enough of. Hibbert and his wife Sherri Hibbert, immediately began contacting members of the community and started a petition.

Hibbert describes the community support as “overwhelming.” Within one week, over 500 people came through the doors of Caribbean Twist and signed the petition to let the restaurant stay.

Soon, more and more people began paying attention to this small piece of the Caribbean on Gottingen Street.

“What the city showed was a united response, people from every nation poured in their support,” Hibbert says.

Familiar faces, but also new ones, came out to show their support for the local business. Reporters from the CBC and the Chronicle Herald covered the story.

“One day, we had to close early because we just sold out of food. People were coming in and signing the petition, people were curious and wanted to know what it was about. Overall, it was the best advertising we could have had,” says Hibbert.

But Hibbert doesn’t want to replicate his success by merely opening up another Caribbean Twist.

“It’s always been my plan to have a diversity of food establishments, not just restaurant, restaurant, restaurant, but restaurant, market, satellite and when I get big enough, have fine dining, so that people can have a diversity of not just food, but of what they can get,” he says.

As for Caribbean Twist, business is running as usual, with familiar and new faces filtering in and out, ordering some tantalizing, flavourful food, and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere.

Lester Powell says it best with his comment on the petition: “Diversity is the spice of life…that served with a Caribbean Twist.”

And even when Planning and Development refused to provide an extension for the July 1 notice, Hibbert still did not lose hope.

“I believe in God; I believe in prayer and that’s why I was sure that things were going to work out. I had no doubt in my mind. There was a tremendous outpour of support from people.”

Hibbert also got in touch with Councillor Jerry Blumenthal, who spoke with Mayor Peter Kelly about the situation.

489 4781 / 209-7964

info@Caribbeantwist.ca

www.Caribbeantwist.ca

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21

Fall 2010

People & Businesses on the Move

Viola Desmond has been honoured in a number of ways in the last few months. In August, a bench dedicated to her was erected in New Glasgow in the Africentric Park on the Vale Road during the Black Gala Homecoming. There are also a number of books recently published about her including “Viola Desmond Won’t be Budged”

by Jody Nyasha Warner, “Sister to Courage” and a memoir by her sister, Wanda Robson, which was also launched at the Homecoming.

and NuGruv. Pat was also performing and conducting a workshop at the 25th annual Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival.

Congratulations to Micah Smith, the 2010 valedictorian at Cole Harbour District High School, is the first African-Nova Scotian and the first student from North Preston to hold that position in the school’s 30-year history!

Asia and Nu Gruv were on the playbill at the 7th annual Northern Lights Festival in August. Other artists performing at the popular north end festival included Bucky Adams & New Basin, and Brandy Callaghan & Soul Anointed.

In July, members of the RCMP in the Preston and Cherry Brook areas hosted bike rodeos and Police Dog demonstrations in the North Preston, East Preston and Cherry Brook/Lake Loon areas.

The Pat Watson Sextet performed during the HalifaxDartmouth Natal Day weekend as a part of the “Urban Black Vibes II” concert at Queens Landing in Halifax. Additional performers for this year’s concert included BrothaZ-NArmsZ, Cyndi Cain, Carson Downey Band, BassZ, and Asia

There was also a concert during the Natal Day weekend honouring Rev. Richard Preston and the AUBA. That concert featured Dutch Robinson, Cherry Brook Mass Choir, Hallelujah Praise Choir, the East Preston Revival Choir, and Sanctified Boys (Deep River Boys).

Best wishes to Custio Clayton, the Nova Scotia welterweight who is heading to India for the Commonwealth Games. He’s only one of two Nova Scotians on the Canadian team and considers this a next step on his way to the London Olympics in 2012.

Congratulations to Ngozi Anyanwu, this year’s valedictorian at C.P. Allen High School in Bedford. The International Baccalaureate’s thoughtful speech was printed

in the HRM Halifax-West Community Herald on June 28.

Twelve year-old Raheem Downey was the Chronicle Herald’s Athlete of the Week on July 15. He’s a devoted boxer at Palooka’s Gym, taking the bus there from his Ross Road School every day for training.

Fil Fraser has penned a new book entitled “How the Blacks Invented Canada”. Among those connected to Nova Scotia highlighted in the book are Sen. Donald Oliver, Portia White, Mathieu DaCosta, Anthony Sherwood, and George Elliott Clarke.

Jon Tattrie’s book about Eddie Carvery, “The Hermit of Africville” has recently been published.

Carvery’s search for justice was highlighted in the editorial of the October 2010 Halifax Magazine and at a discussion between Tattrie and Carvery at the North Branch Library.

The NHL Players’ Association has donated hockey gear to the kids from the North Preston Daycare Centre. Courtesy of the association’s Goals and Dreams programme, $17,500 worth of hockey equipment arrived at the Centre. It will allow the children to learn how to play hockey every Tuesday at Cole Harbour Place from September to June.

Black to Business

Shauntay Grant, Halifax’s Poet Laureate, was one a guest author at the Read by the Sea festival in River John in July. She was also featured on the cover of the fall version of Atlantic Books Today. “Writer, musician and spoken word artist Shauntay Grant, author of the hit children’s books Up Home and The City Speaks in Drums, shares how the city of Halifax has spoken to— and changed—her “.

The Glace Bay U.N.I.A. Cultural Museum held its fourth annual celebration of Marcus Garvey’s Birthday/ recognition of contributions made by local African Nova Scotians. The special guest speaker at this year’s celebration on August 13 was Dr. Patrick Kakembo, the Director of the African Canadian Services Division.

During this year’s celebration, Mandela Spirit Garden was unveiled.

Brunswick Street in Halifax was shut down during the weekend of September 18-9 for the first ever Halifax Rainmen 3on3 Street Jam. Competitors competed in 11 different categories, ranging from 10 and under to 35 plus.

Taryn Della returned to this year’s Atlantic Fringe with “Guilt, Guilt, Go Away”. She was joined on stage at the Plutonium Playhouse by spoken word artist El Jones.

The East Preston United Baptist Church held A Taste of

Fall 2010

22

East Preston with proceeds going towards the new church building, on September 11 at the East Preston Recreation Centre. The following day, the Church held its 168th anniversary celebration.

During the first Hopscotch Urban Showcase Festival held at the Grand Parade in Halifax on September 11, the Maritime Centre for African Dance hosted a two hour workshop called “The Roots of Urban Dance - The Journey from African to America.” The workshop featured African dancing and drumming performances along with a captivating presentation.

The Maritime Centre for African Dance (MCAD) hosted its fifth annual Dikita International Women’s Festival, October 1-2, 2010 at the Fredericton Arts and Learning Centre, Fredericton, NB The Dikita Women’s Festival brings together women from across the Maritimes and featured dance styles such as Flamenco and African styles from North, South, East and West Africa. The workshops were hosted by various artists schooled in African dance, Miq Maq dance, yoga and more.

The St. Thomas Baptist Church sponsored a conference entitled “Reach for Excellence” in September. The four topics covered included Excellence in Education, Excellence in Goal Setting & Career Choices, and Excellence in Lifestyle Choices and featured guest speakers that are community leaders with ties to the North Preston community.

Her Honour the Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis announced the start of a public lecture series to be hosted in Government House covering topics of local, national and international importance.

The lecture series will be held monthly, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Congratulations to the Community Y. It celebrated its 60th anniversary on September 25.

The children from the Hope in Bloom project are selling their salad dressings at the Halifax Farmer’s Market every Saturday. Plans are in the works for a greenhouse to be erected on the grounds of St. Patrick’s Church so they can continue to grow herbs for their delicious dressings during the winter months.

Nigeria is marked 50 years of independence on October 1, 2010. The Nigerian community in Nova Scotia marked this event at St Margaret of Scotland Church in Halifax on October 2, 2010.

Burnley ‘Rocky’ Jones was named to the Order Of Nova Scotia.

Dr. Oppong received the CGA Fellowship Award.

Black to Business

Fall 2010

23

BBI Board Retreat

Shakara Russell with board and community members at the board retreat

Robert Browning (BBI Board) presenting to the board retreat participants

Cheyanne Gorman-Tolliver with Veronica Marsman, Jocelyn Dorrington and Rose Stevenson-Davidson

Board and Community members in discussions

More Community Gardens Participants at the various community gardens.

Black to Business

Fall2010

24

End of NSCC Training Celebration

CTF participants at the End of NSCC Training Celebration

Daurene Lewis presenting a certificate to a CTF Participant

2010 Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winners

Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winners: Jeannie Jones and Donna Gaskin

Black to Business

Fall 2010

25

November 17, 2010 Growth & Innovation: Panel Discussion & Luncheon

November 23, 2010 Export Rally Trade Team Nova Scotia

November 17 Healthy Sexuality Is... Conference

November 24, 2010 6th Annual Business Ethics Awards

November 18, 2010 Women of Excellence Award Dinner 2010

November 26 - 28, 2010 The 19th Annual Festival of Trees

10:00am World Trade Convention Centre, Grand Ball Room For info; 902-421-2333; scunningham@ceed.ca http://www.ceed.ca/events

Rodd Grand Hotel Main Street, Yarmouth.

Registration: conference@nssexualhealth.ca or Fax: 902-742-6068

WTCC Halifax 6:00pm

November 18, 2010 ISIS / Immigrant Settlement & Integration Services presents: International Networking Reception and Showcase 5:30 – 7:30 pm World Trade and Convention Centre Windows, 8th Floor 1800 Argle Street, Halifax Admission is free!

November 19, 2010 CJS 2010 Conference

Theme: Restorative Justice: Our Evolving Challenges and Opportunities 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Citadel Halifax Hotel, 1960 Brunswick Street, Halifax, NS For info: 902-424-1734 or 902-424-6388

Holiday Inn Harbourview, 101 Wyse Road, Dartmouth, NS Fee: $35 p/p (plus HST) 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

For info: www.exportrally.ca

Better Business Bureau Of the Maritime Provinces World Trade and Convention Centr 5:45pm For info: (902) 425-5369; cdickie@bbbmp.ca http://www.maritimeprovinces.bbb.org

World Trade and Convention Centre

November, 27 2010 Nova Scotia Buffalo Soldiers 5th Annual Celebration

Royal Canadian Legion 703 Main St. Dartmouth, NS Tickets: 902.462.2910 $25.00 p/p; $40.00 p/c; $10.00 Dance Only DJ: Lance Sparks

November 30 Hon. G.I. Smith Memorial Trust Bursary ($1500)

Competition is open to full time law students or articled clerks from Nova Scotia Applications (including academic records and two reference letters) should be sent to: George White QC, Chair G. I. Smith Memorial Trust c/o Patterson Law, 10 Church St., Box 1068 Truro, Nova Scotia, B2N 5B9 Or gwhite@pattersonlaw.ca.

Black to Business December 1, 2010 Consumer Choice Award Gala World Trade and Convention Centre

December 2, 2010 BBI Directory Launch 2011& Christmas Social

World Trade and Convention Centre, Halifax 5:00-8:30pm For info: (902) 426-7237

December 7, 2010 Stocking Stuffer Showcase

MSVU Campus 6:30 - 9:00 pm Multipurpose Room, Rosaria Student Centre For info: (902) 497-8897; toll free 1-888-776-9022

December 8, 2010 Halifax Chamber of Commerce’s Atlantica's Holiday Extravaganza and Trade Show Atlantica Hotel, Halifax NS 5-7 p.m.

December 31, 2010 ANSMA & PBBA New Years Eve Bash featuring DJ Loonie Toonez

Army-Navy-Air Force Club 137 Main Street, Dartmouth 9p.m. – 2a.m.

Tickets: Single: $30 / Couple: $55 for tickets call : 404-3036 or 452-0682

January 29, 2011 African Heritage Month Celebration Gala featuring Asia & Nu Gruv

Membertou Convention Centre Sydney, NS 7 p.m Tickets: $25 T: 842-5389 E: uniaculturalmuseum@hotmail.com

Fall 2010

26

BUSINESS IS JAMMIN’ REPORT Cheyanne Gorman-Tolliver “Where innovation meets potential for successful black youth development” Once again, Business Is Jammin’ (BIJ) delivered its popular and always successful summer program from May to August.

Six youth coordinators were placed in the communities of Glace Bay, Truro, Halifax, Dartmouth, Kentville, and Yarmouth.

Through activities such as presentations, workshops, camps, and social enterprise projects, the BIJ program reached 396 participants.

Coordinators in Glace Bay and Yarmouth worked with community members and youth to launch community garden projects. The African Mandela Spirit Garden (Glace Bay) launched on August 13 in front of a crowd of community members, youth, local dignitaries, and sponsors. Garden products included plants, vegetables, herbs and spices. The youth plan on developing a packaged spice collection and hot sauce.

The Yarmouth Community Garden launched as well; two local grocery businesses bought the garden’s produce. BIJ will continue to work with both these gardens and continue its relationship with the North End Community Garden in Halifax, who have set up a scholarship fund for its participants and launched its own line of organic salad dressings. We encourage all communities to come out and support our youth in these business ventures.

We know that developing our youth is not an individual effort and, therefore, we acknowledge those partnerships that help to make our program a success, including: Service Canada’s Summer Job Program; the Black Employment Resource Centres in Yarmouth, Kentville and Truro; Glace Bay UNIA; North Preston Recreation Centre; various schools throughout Nova Scotia; and all the volunteers who offered time, guidance and encouragement to youth attending our programs.

The Search Is On!

Nominate Someone Today.

The Black Business Initiative Society’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award is awarded annually by the Board of Directors of the Black Business Initiative to recognize demonstrated business operational excellence of a company or individual within the Nova Scotia Black business community.

Who is eligible?

Any established business (minimum 3 years in business) in Nova Scotia with at least 30% Black ownership that has demonstrated strong business acumen and support for the community. The award may also be made to an individual business owner.

What are the criteria for consideration for the Award?

I. Product or Service: Description of what makes your product or service outstanding II. Financial performance: Revenue growth over the past three years (as a percentage) III. Workplace excellence IV. Community involvement

To nominate please contact: Shakara Russell, Telephone: (902) 426-6692 Email: Russell.Shakara@bbi.ns.ca

Deadline for Nominations: May 13, 2011 If undeliverable return to: The Black Business Initiative Centennial Building Suite 1201,1660 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1V7

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