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The Black Entrepreneur's Journal - Vol 2
AROUND THE GLOBE
Award winning poet Maya Angelou will be the first Black woman to be featured on a U.S. quarter.
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Maya Angelou
Beloved poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, whose trailblazing work inspired generations, is forever memorialized on the latest edition minted US quarter coins. The design is the first quarter in the; American Women Quarters Program; a four-year initiative that will include coins featuring prominent women in U.S. history.
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) appoints Sharon Bowen as its new Chair
Sharon Bowen
As the corporate world starts to recognize the talent that exists within the Black community, we continue to reach new heights and break glass ceilings. The NYSE has finally had such a moment with the appointment of Sharon Bowen as chair of one of the pillars of Wall Streets, making her the first Black women to hold this position. Her career boasts a number of significant highpoints.
In 2014, she became the first African American to be appointed as Commissioner of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission under the Obama administration. Before that, she was confirmed by the Senate and appointed by President Obama to serve as Vice-Chair and Acting Chair of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Congrats to Ms. Bowen.
The Black Cultural Society of PEI – Pandemic Recovery Grants
The BCS obtained funding from ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), to the tune of $50,000. They have put these funds to use in the community by awarding 13 local Black Owned Business micro-grants to help with the pandemic
recovery. Each recipient received between $2,500 to $5,000. “This is a boost to get them caught up on, maybe, some bills that they are owing or some debt repayment.” said Tamara Steele, executive director of BCS.
Barbados says goodbye to the Queen
The island of Barbados, once nicknamed Little England, has shaken off its ties to colonial England. The Republic of Barbados with its beaches, rum and history is still one of the top destinations for tourists and current indicators show the rum industry is doing quite well. Short term, there have been renewed voices from the
technology sector for Barbados to embrace more of the industry. Long term it will be interesting to see how this move impacts CARICOM and what response Europe, USA and Canada will ultimately have to this move. For now, we stand in celebration and solidarity with Barbados on this bold but necessary move.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) taking flight
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ratified in 2018 is set to take effect in Q1 of 2022 and will be the largest free trade zone in the world with 54 countries currently signed on to the initiative. The program will be unfolded in stages
with the first step being the removal of tariffs on goods, then the eventual free movements across borders. The ultimate goal is to create a stable, made in Africa economic ecosystem. #OneAfricanMarket
BBPA 2021 study on Black Women in Business in Canada.
Rise Up was a study conducted by the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) in partnership with the Casa Foundation for International development and De Sedulous Women Leaders (dSWL) This report showcased the barriers that Black women entrepreneurs face while operating and growing their businesses. This study aims to gain insight into the population of Black female entrepreneurs and their experiences; data which is largely unavailable in Canada.
Reshaping Africa’s Relationship with the European Union (EU)
The sixth Africa - EU Summit is being held in February. The relationship between the two has been historically strained - even more so in recent years over issues around access to COVID vaccines for African citizens. Some of the topics on the agenda include health systems and vaccine production; growth
financing; agriculture and sustainable development; education, culture and vocational training, migration and mobility; private sector support and economic integration;peace, security and governance; climate change and energy transition, digital and transport (connectivity and infrastructure).
