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Black Business Initiatives: Access to Capital Markets | Overcoming Barriers for Black Businesses

The Network is pleased to present in continuation from our April 20, 2020, webinar on 25 Years and Beyond our second Black Business Initiative series webinar, Access to Capital Markets: Overcoming Barriers for Black Businesses on September 21, 2021, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ADT. Financing is an essential part of operating any business. Without adequate access to financing, the staying power of the business and its potential for growth is jeopardized. Despite this conventional wisdom, studies show that, all else equal, Black Businesses are facing systematic barriers in accessing capital compared to other ethnic groups.

PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE EVENT VIA THE LINK: REGISTER FOR THE NETWORK’S EVENT

This event will be moderator by Alfred Burgesson, (BA’19) founder and CEO of Tribe Network Speakers for this event are Craig Wellington, Executive Director of the Black Opportunity Fund, Matthew Martel (MTEI ‘18), Chief Operating Officer of Black Business Initiative and Dr. Mohammad Rahaman Associate Dean, Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement, Canada Research Chair (CRC) in International Finance & Competitiveness. More information about the speakers can be found below.

Dr. Mohammad Rahaman is one for the Networks Experts and more information about him can be found on our expert page.

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Craig Wellington

Craig is currently the Executive Director of the Black Opportunity Fund, which was established to enable the black community to access a pool of long-term funding to help combat the impact of systemic, anti-black racism and promote social and economic empowerment. Wellington has held progressive leadership positions in not for profit organizations for almost 30 years, with extensive experience working in partnership with the business community, Canadian educational institutions and all 3 levels of government. 

Craig has decades of experience working to address systemic racism in the criminal justice and education systems. Craig was recently a member of the Toronto Chief of Police's Black Community Consultative Committee, is a current member of the City of Mississauga’s Mayor’s Black Caucus, and an advisory board member of the Black Community Action Network of Peel Region (BCAN). 

Craig also has extensive experience working with the media and is a frequent guest on national tv and radio programs on a range of subjects. He has co-produced and hosted a CBC national special on the Canadian Immigrant Experience.

Matthew Martel

Matthew is a Certified Project Manager who believes in a ‘people-first’ approach to business, Matthew James Martel is the Chief Operating Officer at the Black Business Initiative (BBI). He was born in Cape Breton, moving to Halifax to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Dalhousie University, followed by a Master’s degree in Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation from the Sobey School of Business. A serial entrepreneur, Matthew also has an extensive background in leadership, Human Resources, change management, and strategic planning. Prior to welcoming the opportunity at BBI, he previously held roles at the Halifax Regional Municipality, Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette, and also served on the Fusion Halifax Board as the Director of Entrepreneurship.

With an aptitude for strategic thinking and solving complex problems, Matthew enjoys working with groups to troubleshoot challenging issues; he leverages these skills to support his team and organization. Matthew’s ability to observe and to understand the contributions of different facets of a company allows him to effectively work with individuals and teams to innovate organizational processes.

Matthew is passionate about Canadian entrepreneurship, especially in working to foster and grow minority-led enterprises. He resonates with the saying that, “One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.” Matthew is proud that in his current profession, he can use his expertise to have a positive social and economic impact on the African Nova Scotian entrepreneurial experience and the Black business community.

Matthew considers pursuing a Doctorate degree and further certifications, such as the Institute of Corporate Directors Designation, in the future. When he is not in the office, Matthew is an avid camper who enjoys being outdoors and surrounded by nature, which gives him the opportunity to practice mindfulness and gratitude.

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Alfred Burgesson

Alfred Burgesson (he/him) immigrated from Ghana to Canada with his family to pursue a better quality of life at an early age. Alfred is an active leader in the Halifax community and is passionate about entrepreneurship, youth engagement, and employment. He is an alumni of Halifax Grammar School and Junior Achievement.

Alfred is a community builder whose unique talents include convening leaders, and an ability to launch grassroots movements and coalitions while utilizing digital tools and platforms. He brings fresh perspectives, ideas and solutions to the needs of our ever-changing world. Alfred has experience advising local community groups, non-profit organizations, and government/crown corporations and he’s been an advisor to many leaders in Canada, including the Prime Minister, Senators, and First Nation Chiefs.

Recently, Alfred supported the African Canadian Senate Group and the office of Senator Colin Deacon as project lead; gathering data and insights on Black Entrepreneurship in Canada. He was also a co-chair of Canada's first-ever State of the Youth Report.

Alfred is the Founder and CEO of Tribe Network, a social enterprise that focuses on supporting Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. Tribe Network is developing programming (for youth, entrepreneurs and community leaders) and a digital community hub that allows members of the network to create a profile, connect with each other, and ecosystem partners across Canada

Earlier Event: September 13
Political Federal Debate
Later Event: September 28
Checkmate: How Social Distancing Has Changed the Social Media and the Business Support Game

Executive-In-Residence

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Ian D. Smith | Chief Executive Officer

Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership

Ian D. Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Seafoods.  Mr. Smith joined Clearwater in May 2010 and has over 33 years of international experience in the food and consumer products industry.  Prior to joining Clearwater, Mr. Smith held senior leadership positions at the Campbell Soup Company within Canada, the United States and China.  Prior to his time at Campbell’s, Mr. Smith held various marketing, sales and international business development positions with Allergan, Colgate-Palmolive and the Gillette Company.

Mr. Smith currently participates as a director on a number of boards and advisory councils focused on international trade and public policy including; The Business Council of Canada and the Asia Business Leaders Advisory Council of the Asia Pacific Foundation.  He is a graduate of McGill University (BA Economics, MBA), a former Captain in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve and currently serves as Honorary Colonel of 36 Canadian Engineer Regiment located in the Province of Nova Scotia.

Alumni-In-Residence

Wendy Luther | President and Chief Executive Officer

Halifax Partnership

Wendy Luther Proud Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University. EMBA’08

Wendy Luther is a leader in economic and export development, with vast experience promoting Nova Scotia and its assets globally. Halifax Partnership is Halifax’s public-private economic development

organization. Wendy joined as President & CEO in 2019. In 2023, Halifax

Partnership was honoured with four Excellence in Economic Development

Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

including Gold for Economic Development Organization of the Year. Prior to joining Halifax Partnership, Wendy was President & CEO of EduNova, a co-operative association of public and private-sector education providers committed to promoting Nova Scotia’s knowledge economy internationally. Under her leadership, EduNova was honoured with the prestigious international PIEoneer Association of the Year Award in 2017. Earlier in her career, Wendy worked in export development with the Atlantic Canada World Trade Centre and Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) where she led trade missions to over twenty countries and has mentored and advised hundreds of Nova Scotian exporters on how to be competitive in international markets. At NSBI, through her role as Nova Scotia’s first Private Sector Liaison Officer (PSLO), she was appointed by the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank to connect entrepreneurs and institutions to opportunities funded by International Financial Institutions. Wendy has served on and led numerous boards and committees including advisory boards for two private sector companies (Canada and U.S. based). Currently, Wendy serves on the Board of Directors and the Management Resources and Compensation Committee of Canadian-owned LED Roadway Lighting; the Board of Directors and as Vice Chair of the Governance Committee of Mitacs, a national not-for-profit organization focused on increasing Canada’s innovation competitiveness; and is Membership Chair on the Executive Committee of the International Women's Forum (IWF) Atlantic Chapter. Born in Vancouver, Wendy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, and an MBA from Saint Mary’s University. She holds a Certified International Trade Professional designation (CITP) and is an alumna of the Caribbean Canada Emerging Leaders Dialogue and Royal Canadian Navy Canadian Leaders at Sea (CLaS) Program. In November 2023, she attained her ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors, Director Education Program and is really geeking out on governance! In March 2023 Wendy was honoured with Atlantic Canada's 25 Most Powerful Women in Business award.