Inside Our Communities

BOF June 29, 2022 Townhall

11 July 2022

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our virtual townhall last Wednesday! We were so pleased with the turnout and the feedback from our community members and thrilled to have shared some updates on our Sickle Cell Disease partnership with SickKids and Walmart Canada, some of our recipients of our Education and Health Grant program with TD and the work we do with BMO, National Bank and the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce to support Black Entrepreneurs.

If you missed our townhall, you can watch the recording in full here: https://youtu.be/MCRP8_DDPIw

As always, our commitment is to serve and empower Canada’s diverse Black communities and we look forward to our progress ahead.

Black health Matters: Tackling Sickle Cell Disease with SickKids

19 June 2022

BOF and SickKids have partnered to make a difference against a painful condition disproportionally experienced by people of African descent that can also place considerable financial burden on families: Sickle Cell Disease. On World Sickle Cell Day, June 19, 2022, BOF and SickKids announced their shared goal to achieve better outcomes for children living with the most common genetic disease affecting the Black communities. First, we’ll achieve this by helping SickKids make medication easier and safer to take at home via a SickKids-developed technology called a capsule shredder, which will be distributed across Canada. Second, we are establishing together the Sickle Cell Disease Patient Amenities Fund at SickKids, to help over hundreds of patient families with costs not covered by government, now and in the future. Better health outcomes for Black kids. It’s happening here.

Please donate.

In Memoriam

17 March 2022

BOF Grants Program for Health and Education

1 March 2022

We’ve launched our Grant Program for Education and Health with the help of @TDbank ’s generous funding.  This grant program was developed to help fund Black-led, Black-serving and Black-focused not-for-profits and charities, who are leading impactful initiatives in the key areas of health and education. We are accepting applications for this grant until March 31^st.

BOF Partners with BMO to launch Business Within Reach

14 February 2022

BMO Launches Business Within Reach: BMO for Black Entrepreneurs and Commits $100 million in loans to Help Black-led Businesses Start up, Scale up, and Grow.

To support the new program for Black Entrepreneurs, BMO has partnered with the Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) – a community-led organization committed to removing financial barriers for Black-led businesses. The partnership will provide wrap-around educational programming to Black business owners in key areas such as business planning, financial management, sales, marketing, and budgeting.

UBC scholarship program supports Black Canadian students at UBC

1 February 2022

As we celebrate and recognize the achievements of so many Black Canadians this month, we are proud of the hard work and dedication currently underway at UBC by a group of ambitious Black students in the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program.  This scholarship is supported by donors and partners, including Black Opportunity Fund, which set up two awards for Black students to attend UBC. Academic benefits include access to opportunities for collaboration, leadership, and the exchange of ideas, both within the program and as students transition into life post-university.

Richardson Wealth donates to Black Opportunity Fund

1 February 2022

Thank you Richardson Wealth for your donation to Black Opportunity Fund. We are thrilled to welcome you as one of our corporate partners in our mission to create more entrepreneurial success within Canada’s Black communities.

Great news for Canada’s Black entrepreneur community.

31 January 2022

In collaboration with Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, BOF launches the Black Entrepreneur Program! This program provides a unique wrap around support, including non-repayable funds for Black Entrepreneurs who have been unable to access traditional funding. A huge thanks to CIBC & CIBC Foundation for kickstarting this program with a generous donation!

The year 2021 in review

7 January 2022

As we enter a new year, we want to thank you for your continued support of our mission to fight anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination in Canada. As we welcome 2022, we can’t help but reflect on some of the great accomplishments of 2021.

Happy Holidays

23 December 2021

Happy Kwanza to all celebrating this holiday. The 7 principles of Kwanza are something that Black Opportunity Fund hold close to our hearts with the principle of Nia – Purpose, standing out as the one we connect with the most. Purpose is something we always keep in mind when reflecting on our mission to combat anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination in Canada. Best wishes to all and their families.

Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention

17 November 2021

Book your calendar for a Black Opportunity Fund community event on December 9th. You won’t want to miss this national round table discussion on the Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention.

There will be a large focus on gun and gang violence. Our society has a reactive approach to violent crime. It’s time to walk a different path. The public health approach recognizes that violence is the result of a complex causal system, and its approach is one that would look at prevention as opposed to reaction. You won’t want to miss this virtual gathering. The panel line up is outstanding. Thanks to Colliers Canada for your partnership on this event.

Health professionals from Black communities on the impact of the Pandemic

12 October 2021

Episode 29 — The BOF’s Craig Wellington on serving the intersection of Canada’s Black communities

7 October 2021

VIBEtalks – In Conversation: Craig Wellington, Executive Director – Black Opportunity Fund

7 October 2021

TD Bank Canada makes historic $10 million commitment to the Black Opportunity

16 September 2021

We are happy to share that TD has announced a $10 million commitment to Black Opportunity Fund to help fund and empower Black-led businesses and community organizations in Canada. This significant donation is among the largest contributions in Canada to a Black-focused, Black-led and Black-serving organization. This collaboration will go a long way in supporting our mission to combat the impact of anti-Black racism and systematic discrimination in Canada.

BOF wholeheartedly condemns Islamophobia

30 July 2021

Black Opportunity Fund is horrified by the recent rise in violence against Black Muslim women in Alberta and across Canada and wish to express our wholehearted condemnation of Islamophobia, gender-based violence, and anti-Black racism in all their forms.

New CILAR Grant Program Offers Funding For Canadian Black-Led Businesses

23 July 2021

We are proud to announce a new partnership between Coalition of Innovation Leaders Against Racism (CILAR), Pitch Better and BOF, funded by Facebook, that will offer grants of up to $10,000 to help support and empower Black-led businesses in Canada!

The goal of the CILAR partnership Grant Program is to provide capital resources for as many Black-led businesses as possible, and we are thrilled to be a part of the initiative!

Apply now for the CILAR Grant Program

COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence

Black Canadian Perspectives

15 July 2021

The Black Opportunity Fund is proud to present a comprehensive report on vaccine confidence in the Black Canadian community, which would not have been possible without the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council and Innovation Research Group. Based on our findings, 33% of our community shows vaccine hesitancy, largely due to a lack of trust. Find out where that trust breaks down and how it can be rebuilt.

Sustaining Canada’s Anti-Black racism movement: What’s Next?

30 June 2021

On February 17, the Black Opportunity Fund gathered leaders in the community for an essential panel discussion, titled: Sustaining Canada’s Anti-Black racism movement: What’s Next? Panelists discussed how George Floyd’s murder and the social movement it sparked brought to light many struggles that have been a reality in the Black community for generations. Now, our panelists share, we must make sure this newfound consciousness isn’t wasted, and create a better world for the generations to come. Watch the full video to find out how.

Black Opportunity Fund partners with UBC to empower next generation of Black leaders

29 June 2021

Today we celebrate the 1st anniversary of the Black Opportunity Fund with a new opportunity in education. Through partnership with The University of British Columbia, we’re proud to announce our first scholarship program to help support Black Canadian students begins today.

Black Opportunity Expresses Sympathy for the community of Cowessess First Nation

25 June 2021

It is with heavy hearts that we express our sympathy and stand in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters of Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan.

BOF Grants Committee Looking For New Members

18 June 2021

The Black Opportunity Fund Grants Committee is a standing committee of the BOF Board of Directors, empowered to develop and administer the granting process for BOF.

The Grants Committee is currently seeking applications from individuals from across all regions of Canada who are interested in serving in the roles below.
The Grants Committee recognizes the diversity of Black Canadians across Canada. Francophones and other applicants from Western Canada, Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Territories or who represent the LGBTQ2+ community are especially encouraged to apply.

Is Education in Canada Serving the Black Community?

14 June 2021

At the Black Opportunity Fund town hall on education, we asked parents and caregivers of Black children to reflect on how Canada’s education system serves them.

Our community told us what barriers they and their children come up against, and how their educational needs can be prioritized through three paths of affecting change.

School, Community, and Home.

Black Opportunity Fund: Statement regarding Kamloops Residential School

1 June 2021

We are saddened by the discovery of more than 200 Indigenous children in Kamloops, BC and we at the Black Opportunity Fund stand in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, today and every day. Read our full statement on these tragedies here

Editorial: “Moving from Hashtags to Action – holding Canadian organizations accountable”

28 May 2021

At the one-year mark since the murder of George Floyd, Canadian organizations must assess their progress against the promises they made to combat systemic anti-Black racism.

An article written by Craig Wellington, Executive Director, Black Opportunity Fund