We All Play A Part In Building Up Black Owned Businesses

Eventhough the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) petitions began in 1978, the Canadian House of Commons took until 1995 to finally recognize February as Black History Month.

The observance is used to honour the legacy of Black Canadians and recognize their ongoing contributions to our communities today. (Note: to learn about the current theme for this year and to watch videos about Black history see: Canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/ campaigns/black-history-month.html).

Black owned businesses bring immense value to Windsor Essex, but may be difficult to find.

In 2020, after meeting weekly with “powerhouse Black female activists,” Maxine Ebegbuzie — who had just pivoted from her beauty business and put all of her resources into her marketing agency, Max Mobile Solutions — used her skills and network to launch Black Business Can Inc. (BBC), an online directory to promote and advance Black businesses found on: BlackBusinessOntario.ca.

“With the events of 2020, the harsh reality of racial inequality and anti-Black racism became apparent, globally,” remarks Ebegbuzie, BBC’s President and Founder. “We decided to take action and collect all Black entrepreneurs in the area and start building our economics.”

She adds: “I knew so much more needed to be done to assist in the closing of the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem gap.”

Now, after two successful years, in February 2023, Ebegbuzie is again encouraging the community to join the 28 day Buy Black Challenge by seeking out and supporting Black owned businesses (and building a habit that is continued year-round).

“It’s a way to show appreciation for the historical and ongoing contributions of African, Black, and Caribbean people in our region,” she believes.

Ebegbuzie continues by stating: “Making mindful purchases throughout the year to support diverse businesses, helps strengthen our communities and supports economic progress for all. When a group of people is not able to reach their potential, the community suffers unquantifiable opportunity costs and the nation truly misses out. When all people are unhindered in taking up economic space, and equity is a mission all decision-makers uphold, success is all of ours.”

The best way to support a business? Make a purchase. And try to involve your family and friends to make it an experience!

When you cannot support a business with your dollars, you can still help with exposure by using social media to like, share, and comment on posts from BBC and participating businesses.

The challenge is just a small part of what BBC is planning.

“Creating a supportive network, providing resources, assisting in getting businesses greater exposure, training, and partnerships that would aid in the removal of barriers to progress and expanded opportunities, are some of the items on BBC’s 2023 agenda,” Ebegbuzie explains.

To learn more about Black Business Can Inc, find new businesses, or to get your business, service or organization listed, visit: BlackBusinessOntario.ca.

So are you ready to support local Black owned businesses that are associated with Black Business Can?

Here are some ideas where to start for February’s Buy Black Challenge . . .

Max Mobile Solutions Windsor/Detroit

In today’s market, if you want to maximize your online presence, you need a solid plan.

A website is a good place to start, but to increase your traffic and expand your social media audience you must look for a business that can provide a comprehensive outline of targets and how to reach them.

“Knowing how to put together a full-funnel marketing proposal and plan for success is what sets us apart,” says Maxine Ebegbuzie, CEO of Max Mobile Solutions (MMS), a fullservice, data-driven Internet marketing agency that works with clients across North America.

A graduate of the University of Windsor’s Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Education programs, Ebegbuzie focused on entrepreneurship and honed her marketing skills over the last 20 years, most recently while she built up her beauty business in the city.

With the forced closures of the pandemic, she decided to look at her strengths — and with a strong business background and experience with clients — she made the pivot to focus more on the tech, marketing, and public relations company she established in 2014.

Now her venture works with 20 employees and contractors to help take businesses to the next level. And while a lot of agencies might stick to social media, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), web design, and Pay-Per-Click advertising (PPC), MMS offers additional services like streaming TV, geofencing advertising (direct-to-mobile ads based on activities and location), programmatic advertising, and tech/software integration.

The agency works in many industries including education, cannabis, automotive, finance, entertainment, and cyber security and supports other marketing agencies as well.

In 2022, Ebegbuzie was recognized as the Tech Woman of the Year from WEtech Alliance’s Tech Awards, for her work in the industry, her contributions to the community, and her commitment to vital projects like training businesses to make their web platforms more inclusive.

Her passion and commitment go into every project that the company takes on.

Initially, Ebegbuzie meets with potential clients to go through a needs analysis and discovery, and then discuss their budget and goals. From there, her certified experts utilize state-of-the-art marketing software to assess the business and competitors to build optimal marketing campaign strategies.

Clients who sign on then benefit from an interactive live dashboard that tracks progress, as well as access to an agile project manager who constantly tracks success and makes improvements on-the-fly (instead of waiting to check in monthly). The specialists (and their knowledge) are the reason that MMS can brag about having 98% of their clients rank for several keywords on the first page of search engines within the first year.

To learn more about the full list of services offered by the tech marketing and public relations company, refer to: Max-MobileSolutions.ca.

7ByRaz African Fashion & Accessories Inc.

materials like Kenyan textiles and beads.

Growing up, Mwondha was a reluctant helper with her grandmother’s sewing projects. She had to cut out patterns, take measurements, and help sew pillowcases and hem curtains. She quickly realized sewing was a talent that she was thankful for.

7654

Tecumseh Road East, Tecumseh Mall, Windsor

A recent addition to Tecumseh Mall is the vibrant store that belongs to Razia Mwondha, Owner of 7ByRaz African Fashion & Accessories Inc.

The store specializes in a range of African-inspired items, including clothing and accessories handcrafted in Kenya, as well as items that seamstress and jewellery maker Mwondha creates from

Mwondha moved to Canada in 2001 and earned a degree in education, but could not find a job. Eventually she found work in factories and nursing homes, but sewing was still part of her dream.

7ByRaz originally operated online from 2019 to 2020, but with the pandemic, Mwondha saw a steep decline in online sales. Still, she hoped to open a storefront to reach a wider audience and the pandemic had a flipside: rents and vacancies were lower.

After an initial run at her first location at the beginning of 2022, Mwondha was hit hard by a break-in. She decided to move to the mall in November; the rent was almost double, but she wanted a fresh start that felt safer and had more foot traffic. She’s been pleased with the move so far.

“They see something they like and they come in,” Mwondha comments.

She is happy to have such a variety of goods created by skilled artists in a fair trade environment. Products include hyacinth and sisal baskets, mirrors, jewellery, purses, dog collars, hair accessories, drums, blankets, fabric, and a full line of clothing.

One of her most popular items is the Kitenge bomber jacket, a common style, but using vibrant prints with a velvet lining for life in Canada.

Mwondha also carries brown skin dolls with hair that can be brushed and braided.

“Growing up in Kenya we didn’t have dolls that looked like me,” she points out. “It’s important for me to have dolls that look like most kids.”

As a new business owner, Mwondha says one of the barriers she faced was securing financing. She visited several banks that wanted her to already have money to get a loan.

Her advice for new business owners is to be prepared to not have much in the beginning, but stay positive.

“Don’t give up — smile,” encourages Mwondha. “If you believe in what you are doing, you can do it.”

When visiting her store she suggests customers try things on without hesitating about the colours and prints.

“Wear whatever you want to wear,” she says. “We like when people embrace our culture respectfully.”

To shop the latest creations online, link to their social media pages and find out what the future holds for the store (like Kenyan snacks!), check: 7ByRaz.com.

Black Magic Culinary Creations Home Based In Windsor

Philippe Octavien was born in the Bahamas to Haitian parents and eventually moved to Florida. His aunt taught him to cook and he was surrounded by culinary influences, so he began to explore what could be done with food.

In 2006, he moved to Canada and enrolled at St. Clair College in the Culinary Arts program. He worked in area restaurants and moved to New Brunswick where he spent two years refining his skills and learning more about event planning and catering.

Octavien returned to Windsor and was working at a local restaurant, however, the hospitality industry has long hours and he wanted to spend more time with his wife and new son. So, he took a job as a chef at a long-term care home, but always felt that something was missing.

In 2014, his wife suggested he go into business for himself, putting his creativity and island influences into dishes for new audiences; Black Magic Culinary Creations was launched.

The catering business is a one-man operation with Octavien as Chef and Owner.

He does cooking classes, weddings, popup events, and private catering parties with three to seven course meals. His menus are customized, based on what kind of experience the client has in mind.

Octavien — who prefers that you just call him Phil — enjoys pushing boundaries, looking for new ways to express himself through food, and working on collaborations like holding pop-ups at Walkerville Brewery, or providing his jerk chicken as a main ingredient for a special pierogi from Little Foot Foods.

“I enjoy cooking and it’s fun no matter how hard I’m working,” Octavien mentions.

With rising food prices, Octavien indicates one of his current challenges is being questioned about his rates. However, he knows what he offers is unique and he stands behind his work.

His advice to other business owners stems from that experience: “Be yourself and most importantly, be true to yourself and know your worth.”

To see menu ideas, get free recipes, and learn about the Black Magic Supper Club (a pop-up mystery dining experience), go to: BlackMagicCulinaryCreations.ca.

Mr. Kersey’s Karate School Ltd.

3079 Forest Glade Drive, Windsor

In 1973, Lamon Kersey began teaching karate classes at local community centres in his spare time. He was employed at an automotive manufacturer, but the layoffs started increasing, so in 1982, when Kersey realized there was enough interest in his classes, he started his own dojo.

“I really worked hard at it,” says Kersey, Owner of Mr. Kersey’s Karate School and the recipient of the 2019 Biz X Award for Kickin’ Karate Kid School.

He operates the business with his wife and Program Director, Anne Marie. Two fulltime and six part-time instructors round out the staff, who work tirelessly to motivate the community, especially children.

Kersey’s love of the sport and inspiring youth is evident in the school’s focus on discipline, inclusion, and mental health. He says that is what sets the school apart. Students can even earn badges for achievements in discipline, teamwork, and family life.

“There’s more to it than kicking and punching,” Kersey notes. “We really push life skills like respect and focus. Parents notice the difference.”

Enrollment was affected by the pandemic due to frequent shutdowns, and students were just tired from being online all day so they didn’t want to do an online karate class.

Kersey is thankful that he was able to use technology to connect with others in his field across North America and share ideas to inspire members. The new platform also allowed him to answer a call from a local nursing home to offer a six-week karate course for seniors. It’s something he wants to keep pursuing as he works to rebuild his membership.

Working on new business ideas and continuous learning is vital to the success of Kersey’s business.

“Keep studying and go out of your way to learn more about your industry,” he advises. “I travelled a lot and studied a lot and I’m still learning.”

To read more about the school and programs offered for adults and children (three years and up), log on to: MrKerseyKarate.com.

Owens began his career as a DJ 48 years ago at the age of 15, and when his wife joined him in 2002, they formed their own company offering DJ services, lighting, interactive dances, singing, and celebrity impersonations.

Along with weddings, banquets, galas, and graduations, Owens also can be hired for private parties and is the house DJ for Johnny Shotz in Tecumseh. His career has allowed him to work across North America and meet celebrities like Howie Mandel and Sinbad.

The pandemic was difficult for the whole event industry and Owens had to close down his limousine service, but luckily things seem to be bouncing back and he’s busy booking DJ gigs again. And just like he keeps the party energized, Owens wants to encourage others as they pursue their own business ideas.

“Never give up, on your dreams,” Kim states. “Keep going. As you’re working hard, be patient . . . your reward will come.”

Owens Entertainment & Company

Event Based In Windsor Essex

Event planners know that music matters for a great party.

Finding a DJ who plays good tunes and has great energy is important — and that’s what you get when you hire Kim and Sandra

Owens

, Owners of Owens Entertainment &

Company.

Music and entertainment have always been a part of Kim Owens’ life. His father was one of the members of The Contours, a popular sixties group that had a big hit with “Do you love me”.

To make your next party memorable and to find further details about the services the business offers, visit the website: OwensAndCompany.ca.

Support The Buy Black Challenge Every Chance You Can

Along with the companies highlighted above, there are about 150 more businesses