The Black Entrepreneur's Journal - Vol 2

The Business Advisory Implementation Development Services

By: Taneya Rogers

Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) has served the Black community for almost 40 years, adopting a multi-faceted approach to meeting the needs of its base. Their scholarships and programming are geared toward growing the pool of Black professionals throughout Canada. This organization’s vision has been ahead of its time and in a short discourse with three of its Executives, it becomes clear that the unwavering loyalty of this team will carry the BBPA well into the future.

Nadine Spence, holds the newest senior staffed position of CEO but has served also as the past president. Regarding the longevity of the organization, she shares, “It’s the commitment that the organization has to its members and to the Black community nationally; It’s the unique value proposition that the BBPA brings. Our programs are designed to meet Black businesses and the community where they are at”.

Commitment alone however could not take the BBPA to the next level of operations. Ross Cadastre, elected President and Michael Pinnock elected Treasurer both recognized the need for restructuring to support expansion. The CEO position was one aspect of their strategic plan to accommodate growth and succession planning. Their vision was to not only tighten the mechanics of the operation but also to find innovative avenues to attain national reach. In comparison to many other organizations, the onset of the pandemic brought growth. The forced pivot to virtual engagements was exactly the bolster that the organization needed, giving access to business owners in multiple provinces and connecting them with service providers across Canada. This shift in outreach collided with the international outcry for justice and equity; an awakening around the value of Black lives. Speaking to the protests that followed the televised murder of George Floyd, Cadastre notes, “Those 9 minutes on May 5th changed corporate Canada and corporate North America. And they had no choice to respond to the benefit of the Black community”. The upswing in funding and willingness of those from even outside of the Back community to step up to provide support toward the development of BAIDS which seeks to bridge this gap by funding these services for small businesses after working one on one to map out a full business plan.

Black enterprise has fueled the further expansion of the BBPA.

The Business Advisory Implementation Development Services (BAIDS) is the newest of the BBPAs programs. In early discussions the incoming team noted that there were multiple granting opportunities and discussions without implementation. There exists a long list of tasks and practical supports that are out of reach for many small Black businesses: taxes, legal services, marketing etc. BAIDS seeks to bridge this gap by funding these services for small businesses after working one on one to map out a full business plan. From its inception in November of 2020 the program’s momentum moved it from merely 20 applicants to a staggering 500 applicants in a single year. The BAIDS program is now the flagship of the BBPA taking lead over its longstanding scholarships. Maintaining the initiative behind the ‘Boss Women’ program, it was important to Pinnock to ensure that at least 50% of applicants self-identified as women. They are proud to report that 60% of their enrollment is represented by women and as at the time of our conversation, there were 200 businesses being actively supported by BAIDS.

BAIDS covers the full gamut of support, from business planning, getting registered, implementing marketing strategies, providing mentorship, and aftercare to ensure that businesses keep doing what is necessary to succeed. As they infiltrate the Albertan market Spencer shares, “We want to demonstrate that this is a national program; We want to build strategic alliances so that in 20 years there will be a foundation for sustainability”. Black owned businesses often share commonalities in terms of the barriers they face and it is the hope of the team that the BAIDS program can help each venture overcome those hurdles. The natural resource pool of professionals within Black spaces is often limited but the team will continue building its network and resources to fulfill a very simple commitment: No Business Left Behind.

For more info, visit Web: https://bbpa.org Insta: @bbpa.baids