Feds invest $1.9M to support Black-led businesses in Hamilton and Windsor

The Montague sisters - Ashleigh and Abygail - started BLK Owned on Instagram when Blackout Tuesday took over social media back in 2020.

Their vision was to help bring attention to local Black-owned entrepreneurs in the Hamilton area.

We came up with a list of 100 businesses in Hamilton the same day, (and) started an Instagram page to showcase and support Black-owned businesses," said Abygail Montague.

The initiative focuses on networking, skills, education and advocacy for local Black-owned businesses across the Hamilton region.

The Montague sisters aren't alone. They shared their vision with Empowerment Squared - a non-profit that has been supporting newcomers and those from racialized communities with resources to find stability in the community such as mentorship, skills training and entrepreneurship.

Now, federal government funding of $1.9 million for Empowerment Squared will help establish a hub - Southwestern Ontario Black Business Network - for a larger group of Black entrepreneurs in Hamilton and Windsor.

Minister for FedDev Ontario Helena Jaczek, while announcing the funding Tuesday at Empowerment Squared, noted the funding to the local non-profit organization would help 275 Black-led entrepreneurs and businesses in Hamilton and Windsor, and create 80 jobs.

She noted the hub would provide mentorship, entrepreneurial training and networking opportunities to help Black-led businesses, setting them up for success.

The grant is a part of the federal government's Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) - an investment of over $265 million to nurture Black business owners across the country.

Ashleigh Montague said it's imperative for the us to realize the importance of Empowerment Squared receiving this ecosystem's fund."

She told The Spectator the funding would help businesses outside of the GTA, and in regions like Hamilton and Windsor to grow. A lot of people think diversity is only in big cities, not realizing we're everywhere and the support is needed outside of those (cities)."

Leo Nupolu Johnson, the founder of Empowerment Squared, said the program will help train and educate local Black business owners in two cohorts.

Recruitment for the first cohort of business and entrepreneurs will begin next month, while the second cohort is scheduled for early next year.

As a Black community," Johnson said, there are two sides to the challenges we face. One side is the fighting side and the other side is the building side."

We fight against the injustices ... but I'm pleased that we're partnering with the Canadian government to draw some energy to the building side, which I believe has been neglected for far too long," he added.

Johnson came to Canada in 2006 as a refugee and established the non-profit after struggling to navigate as a newcomer.

He said the initiative would require dedication" to ensure making maximum profits," which then will be invested in the community for the greater good."

The non-profit will also be hiring new staff members to support the enrolment of the program. Empowerment Squared has partnered with at least seven companies, including its lead partner WEtech Alliance.

Ritika Dubey is a reporter at The Spectator. rdubey@thespec.com