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Category: What’s Up

Breaking Barriers, Inspiring Generations: The Historic Lincoln Alexander Bust Project

Posted on by Cindy-Ann Williams

In Canada’s rich history, the Honourable Lincoln ‘Linc’ MacCauley Alexander stands tall as a pioneer, his legacy now made permanent at Queen’s Park. Today, January 21st, marks not only a tribute but a celebration of the ongoing preservation of his indomitable spirit. Through our commitments to preserve his legacy, we are ensuring that his contributions will continue to inspire future generations to come.

In this historic moment, the Black Opportunity Fund extends heartfelt gratitude to all who bore witness and supported this project. Your commitment has made this living legacy possible, and we are honoured to share in this historic event.

This bust is more than a sculpture, it is a testament to the power of representation and the acknowledgment of diverse voices within the fabric of Canada’s history. Embracing Lincoln Alexander’s legacy, we recognize that his impact transcends history books and still exists in our present day. We celebrate and uplift Linc as he did for Black communities across the country.

As we head towards another exciting month celebrating Black history and Black futures, let us renew our commitment to fostering an environment where diversity flourishes, allowing the dreams of every Canadian, past, present, and future, to soar.

2023 BOF Annual Report

Posted on by Cindy-Ann Williams

The Black Opportunity Fund 2023 Annual Report has been prepared to present and account for our fiscal responsibilities, operating activities, and achievements, to community, stakeholders, and funders for the fiscal year ended March 31st, 2023. The report is available for viewing.

BOF ‘Watch To Give Back’ on Amazon Prime Video Canada

Posted on by Cindy-Ann Williams

Black Opportunity Fund (BOF), is starting the year with an impactful partnership with Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Watch To Give Back’ initiative.

Beginning January 3rd, continuing through Black History Month until February 28th, Amazon Prime Video Canada will donate 100% of proceeds from the rental or purchase of over 20 featured titles to Black Opportunity Fund to help support our mandate of improving socio-economic outcomes for Black Canadians.

The curated titles, highlighting Black talent and Black stories, include: Big George Foreman, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Boomerang, Brother, Coach Carter, Creed, Fences, Judas and the Black Messiah, Just Mercy, King Richard, Love & Basketball, Malcolm X, Moonlight, NOPE, Remember the Titans, Selma, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Stomp The Yard, The Blackening, The Color Purple, The Equalizer, Think Like a Man, and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody.

This innovative partnership is an amazing opportunity for everyone to be a part of our mission, while showcasing cinema that celebrates the richness of Black stories and talent.

Let’s watch, and give back together! Help make a difference.
For more details about the initiative, visit https://www.primevideo.com/giveback  

#WatchToGiveBack #BlackHistoryMonth #WeBackBlack #AmazonPrimeVideo #Donate

BLCK VC Canada

Posted on by Cindy-Ann Williams

 

 

The Black Opportunity Fund, in partnership with BLCK VC, came together in September to celebrate the launch of BLCK VC Canada! An exciting milestone for Canada’s growing Black venture community and BLCK VC’s first non-US chapter! Kudos to the many partners who came together to make this happen, including BOF’s Executive Director, Craig Wellington who was a panelist at the event. The establishment of BLCK VC Canada formalizes a community that has been flourishing for several years and will continue to serve as a central hub for even more Black-led and Black-focused venture funds, accelerators, players, founders, and more.

Visit the link to learn more https://www.blckvc.org/

Featured Panelists and attendees

  • Frederik Groce, Co-Founder, BLCK VC and Deal Lead, Wellington Management
  • Isaac Olowolafe, Managing Partner, BKR Capital
  • Kim Furlong, CEO of CVCA
  • Sunil Sharma, Managing Partner, techstarts Toronto Accelerator
  • Upkar Arora, CEO of Rally Assets
  • Craig Wellington, Executive Director of the Black Opportunity Fund
  • Abdullah Snobar, CEO of DMZ Ventures
  • Wils Theagene, Head of CDPQ’s $250M Diverse Founders Fund

BLCK VC Canada Co-Founders

  • Ahmed Ismail, Wellington Management
  • Josh Olowafe, CIBC Innovation Banking
  • Abdel Ali, Founder of Kiwi Charge (EV Charging Start-up)
  • Derrick Raphael, Co-Founder and CEO of ICON Talent Partners

 

Black Opportunity Fund – Year 3 Highlights video

Posted on by Cindy-Ann Williams

We invite you to view our BOF Year 3 Highlights Video

Three years ago, BOF was born out of a collective vision of dismantling longstanding systemic inequities in access to capital. Since then, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones and catalyzed positive ripples of change.

BOF has created a disruptive new Black-community-led philanthropic approach, that supports social, cultural, and economic empowerment of Black communities across Canada. BOF prioritizes initiatives around education & youth, healthcare, women+ gender, criminal justice, entrepreneurship, arts & culture, and affordable housing.

We recognize that a systemic problem cannot have a single answer. So BOF is part of an ecosystem that, together, is committed to interrupting systemic racism. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re not just looking back at our accomplishments, but forward to the future we’re shaping together.

To learn more about BOF’s accomplishments and the work ahead:

BOF donation propels the creation of the Hon. Lincoln Alexander’s bust at Queen’s Park

Posted on by Cindy-Ann Williams

BOF is very pleased to announce the kickoff of the artistic process for the creation of a bust of the Hon. Lincoln M. Alexander, that will be placed on permanent display inside the Queen’s Park Legislative Building in January of 2024, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of January 21st being declared annually as Lincoln Alexander Day in Ontario.

Black Opportunity Fund is proud to be supporting this important legacy project and funding the work of award-winning artist Quentin VerCetty. Thanks to the leadership for this project by the #LincBustCommittee led by Rosemary Sadlier OOnt – Champion of Black History Month and @License2Learn with Zeib Jeeva, O.Ont. .

This will be the first statue of a Black person ever displayed at Queen’s Park, and it will be part of the Queen’s Park educational tours. Visibility is Possibility. An interview with me and artist Quentin from his studio, will air this evening on CTV News. September 20th is the date in 1968 when Linc was sworn in as Canada’s first Black member of Parliament. September 20th was also the date in 1985 when Lincoln Alexander was sworn in as Canada’s first Black Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.