Thank you to everyone who attended Councillor Rawlson King's Black Futures in Focus: Black Community Town Hall on February 7.
Held during Black History Month, the event brought together Black entrepreneurs, small business owners, leaders of Black-led, Black-serving and Black-focused organizations, and community members seeking practical information about funding opportunities, entrepreneurship supports and available resources.
The session provided an opportunity to learn more about grants and programs from the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Ottawa. Participants also connected with Invest Ottawa and heard about the important work underway to support entrepreneurs and business leaders, as well as the contributions of the Chnge Mker Innovation Hub.
My sincere thanks to our presenters:
Government of Canada
Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi
Province of Ontario
Scott Phelan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs of Ontario; Head, Ontario Regional Office in Ottawa
City of Ottawa
Cinthia Pagé, Program Manager, Social Development and Funding
Eric Hopkins, Economic Development Officer, Economic Development Services
Eric Hopkins, Economic Development Officer, Economic Development Services
Invest Ottawa
Sonya Shorey, President and CEO
Sara Perron, Entrepreneurship Programs Lead
Chnge Mker Innovation Hub
Mona Abow, CEO and Founder
I want to briefly return to the spirit that grounded our time together. Our conversation took place on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The work we are advancing in equity, opportunity and strong Black futures exists within layered histories of land, resistance and community leadership. Acknowledging that context reminds us that justice work is interconnected.
As we mark 30 years of Black History Month in Canada, we are reminded that history is not distant. It is something we continue to build. The leadership, entrepreneurship, advocacy and vision shared during my Town Hall are part of that ongoing story.
Thank you again for participating with intention and purpose.
I invite you to explore the following presentations and materials shared during the event, along with the additional links below, which provide further information on funding opportunities, entrepreneurship supports and community resources.
Additional resources:
