Ending anti-Black systemic
racism through
entrepreneurship
Founded in 2020 by Wes Hall, BlackNorth Initiative is a Black-led, Black-serving non-profit taking a business-first approach to ending anti-Black systemic racism in Canada.
of Canadian Black entrepreneurs believe that race makes it harder for them to succeed as an entrepreneur
reported using personal funds for their business and earn less than $100,000 in annual business revenue
What is B.E.G.I.N.?
Black entrepreneurs in Canada face systemic barriers to funding and support — making them half as likely to reach business maturity. B.E.G.I.N. (Black Entrepreneurship Growth and Innovation Network) is our response: a free platform bringing together funding opportunities, learning resources, business services, and mentorship in one place.
Built with input from Black entrepreneurs at every stage, this is just the beginning.
The CEO Pledge
The BlackNorth Initiative's CEO Pledge has been signed by 500 corporations, public entities, and charitable institutions, with business leaders committing to fostering diversity and equity within their workplaces, particularly by empowering Black employees.
We have developed several initiatives aimed at achieving our mission of ending anti-Black systemic racism in Canada, which you can learn more about on our organization's website here.
Built with Black entrepreneurs, for Black entrepreneurs
From identifying core challenges to collecting feedback on prototypes, the community has been involved at every stage. We'd love for you to be part of what comes next.
Get in touch