Bulk Buy Wholesale: Entrepreneur of the year
Bulk Buy Wholesale started its operation from a 2400sqft food processing and retail store in south Edmonton providing a wide variety of specialty ethnic food and grocery options at bargain prices. Bulk Buy Wholesale was incorporated in 2019 and grew to a second location in short 2 years. Bulk Buy Wholesale second location houses a 3700 sqft retail and warehouse, the second floor has a Dining/Restaurant with fully equipped kitchen to cater to deli, grab and go as well as small social events in Northwest Edmonton, in addition there is a beauty studio opening on the second floor making the location a hub for customers to get all they need under one roof.
Bulk Buy Wholesale sells all kinds of fresh vegetables and produce such as potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, onions, plantain, roots, yam, fruits, and all fresh seasonal produce. Our mission at Bulk Buy Wholesale is to eliminate food waste in our community and facilitate foods that may otherwise would have been sent to landfills by salvaging them by processing or repackage it to be sold as low as 50% to 80% retail price.
Bulk Buy Wholesale donated foods to low-income families through our food program call Yeg Food Share by giving out fresh produce directly to community members via facebook and social media. We were able to donate over 100,000 pound of fresh produce in less than 16 months. We support young black people who are marginally disadvantage from employment by partnering with African Centre Youth Boost Program and we have successfully trained and hired four full time students from the program. Bulk Buy Wholesale won Alberta Award of Distinction in 2021 under the Newcomers Category.
The Managing Partners
Kemi Bolatito-Bello has a degree in Human Service Administration and Mass Communication, she is the CEO and manages the affairs the company, represents the company with financial organizations and handles marketing. Kemi is creative, ambitious and goal getter no matter the obstacle. Kemi has shown so much resilience and inspire lots of women in her local community as an immigrant barely 6 years in Canada building her small business from her garage to two locations in just 2 years of operation.
She has impacted lives of people in her community, through volunteering and supporting individuals with learning difficulty and disabilities. She currently sat on the board of Edmonton Community Adult Learning Association; she was nominated for RBC Women of Influence Award in 2021.
Idowu Bolatito-Bello is a graduate of Finance and Economics with over 20 years’ experience in finance and since moving to Canada in the last 6 years worked as a Business Intelligence Analysts. Idowu is highly skilled in Business System Analysis Design, Data warehousing, and Business Process Reengineering. Idowu is an excellent team player and currently the Head of Operations and Finance at Bulk Buy Wholesale. He is currently in school studying for his Master of Business Administration.
Seun Ogunsola: Communty Leader
Seun Ogunsola is a proud Nigerian-Canadian who moved to Canada from Nigeria in 2005. Prior to his move, Seun held leadership positions in the airline industry for many years. These roles gave Seun international leadership exposure as he led multi-functional and diverse global teams.
Seun always believed that to make a change you need to be involved. He joined the Yoruba Foundation of Calgary (YFC) as the PRO where he worked to further build the brand of the YFC.
He organized two of the biggest annual gala in the YFC history and led the association to financial independence. After two years as the PRO, he was elected as the President of the association.
Seun continued to give back to the community by organizing several events to educate and support the community.
On completing his term as the president of YFC, he was elected as the Vice President of the Nigerian Canadian Association of Calgary. He managed several projects for the association which had direct positive impact on the brand and strength of the association. Seun was later elected as the president where he led the association through the emergence of the pandemic. He was financially prudent and showed a lot of empathy to the community members as the entire world grapple with the unknown.
Seun volunteers on the board of four organizations in Alberta and is the president of a golf club which has raised over $25,000 for charity organizations in Alberta.
On the professional front, Seun is the Regional Vice President for RBC Private Banking in Alberta and Territories. He is well known and respected in the corporate world for the excellence he has achieved in his career.
Seun mentors many new immigrants and many others irrespective of their background. He is the most senior black employee of RBC in Alberta.
Fruitful House Family Church: Communty Leader
Rev. Dr. Albert Osae-Akonnor is the Head Pastor at Fruitful House Family Church, operating as Fruitful House, located in Mississauga, Ontario. His passion for people and his servant’s heart towards God and his community are exemplary. Pastor Albert preaches the gospel in its simplest form and passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders to impact the world. He is dedicated to his congregation, with such love to a fault. He is a simple, humble person and the mastermind behind all the various community accomplishment of the church, although he mostly showcases others and stays in the shadows. Albert is Professional Counsellor and also recently trained as an Immigration Consultant. He is happily married to Susan for 24 years, and they live in Ontario with their three children, who also passionately love God and actively serve together in the same ministry. Susan Osae-Akonnor is the Associate Pastor of Fruitful House, serving alongside her husband. She plays a vital role as an effective facilitator and oversees leaders. One of her key roles is building both policies and procedures for church departments and community projects. Known for her sincere heart of service to God and an attitude of hard work, she will find room to start, organize, manage and grow any establishment, as well as recognise and nurture the potential of people around her. Her leadership qualities immediately are recognizable and has served in various leadership capacities. Her earnest future goals are, to do ministry fulltime and to raise more leaders. Susan professionally practices as an Accountant with credentials from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Global. She has her own thriving accounting business offering accounting services to corporations, charities and individuals.
Fruitful House prouds itself as “The Church Without Borders”, with a culture of love and tolerance, a multicultural church that has open doors to people of all races and ethnicities. Officially opened in 2009 by Rev. Osae-Akonnor and with great support by faithful people over the years, Fruitful House has been all about people: building people, and changing lives one person at a time. Fruitful House has a holistic view to ministry, therefore, focuses equally on people’s spiritual, emotional and physical well-being. The philosophy of Fruitful House is that “a church that cannot influence its community is irrelevant”. Therefore, over the years Fruitful House has embarked on quite a number of community projects. For example: In March 2014, the church launched a project for seniors called “The Communication Club – bridging the technological gab between seniors and youth. In August 2018, the church launched a new project called “Canada Newcomer Network – CNN” to help in settling newcomers to Canada, providing volunteering opportunities, and a resource centre to prepare for job search.
In November 2019, Fruitful Communities was birthed, a separate registered as a not-for-profit company, to house all the humanitarian endeavours of the church, with the vision to “Elevate our Community through Service”. In 2020, at the surge of the Covid-19 pandemic, Fruitful Communities was ever vibrant, as the church building was converted into a Food Bank, and to date providing groceries, PPE’s and other household essentials to thousands, two to three times a week. They serve individual families directly as well as 20 groups and 5 shelters throughout the Greater Toronto Area. To date, Fruitful communities receives and distributes over 50000lbs of food in a month. This summer they’re providing Summer Jobs for 25 youth and young adults and also launching a new Seniors’ Project that seeks to mitigate Senior Isolation. “Our greatest limitation is funding”, says Susan, who is also the Programs Director for both the Food Bank and the Seniors Project. In the immediate future they hope to obtain a bigger location and expand their services.
Daniel Mbewa: Entrepreneur of the year
Daniel Mbewa is the founder and CEO of Marshall Technologii, a Red Deer-based provider of cost-effective mobile solutions that help local businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Daniel is a native of Kenya, but Red Deer has been his beloved hometown ever since he moved here for an internship 10 years ago while completing a bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Systems at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
With his SAIT degree under his belt, along with a Computer Science degree previously acquired in Kenya, Daniel thought about starting a business that will not only help him to support his father financially, but will also benefit his community in Red Deer. He was keen on helping local businesses to access affordable technology that is on par with what is used by larger competitors with tens of thousands of dollars to spend. As a result, Marshall Technologii was born in 2016.
Among Daniel’s most recent accomplishments is an online ordering system that has helped popular local restaurant Quality Donair to become less dependent on costly third-party apps. His 3D virtual tour service has not only benefited real estate, hotels and retail establishments in Red Deer, but is also increasingly accessed by local schools (such as South Side Christian School) and day care centers, particularly as pandemic restrictions have resulted in a greater demand for virtual onboarding.
Nowadays Daniel likes to spend time volunteering at a soup kitchen in downtown Red Deer, and with the Youth Ministry at his local church. As a father, he believes young people are the future, and he provides guidance and support to youngsters as much as he can. Daniel also works with an immigrant-serving organization in Calgary to provide internships to newcomers and help them to integrate into Canadian society.
New Heaven Funeral Home: Forward Moving Organization
THE BEGINNING
The year was 1999 and it was orientation day, the first day of classes for the Funeral Service program at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. While entering the classroom, Shelley Challenger looked around and saw very few minorities, 3 others to be exact. Shelley zeroed in on Shari Yearwood who was already seated by herself, walked up and said “Do you want to be friends?” Being the person that Shari was, she coolly replied “sure”. Shelley quickly took a seat beside Shari and that’s where they’ve been for almost 20 years. Side by side through all of life’s challenges.Upon completion of the in-school portion of the program, they both had challenges securing work placement internships. Shelley secured her internship in 2000, and was later promoted to management in 2005. During her tenure, she managed two branches until she made her decision to resign in 2016, to pursue her passion independently. Shari secured her internship in 2001 and worked in the field until 2005 when she had a near death experience.
NEW HAVEN’S BIRTH
Dr. Lennox Walker, the Senior Pastor of Praise Cathedral Worship Centre in Mississauga, Ontario had a vision to be able to offer funeral options to his church and community members. The vision and need stemmed from supporting his parishioners who had experienced death but were served by “cold and detached” Directors. He prayed for the right person who could see his vision and walk with him on this journey. His answer, Shelley Challenger. From this shared vision the two birthed, New Haven Funeral Centre. A Christian owned and operated full service facility.
WHAT MAKES NEW HAVEN UNIQUE
New Haven has been designed as a unique 30,000 sq. ft. contemporary-elegant boutique style facility. It’s a centre that primarily offers funeral services, pre-planning, burial, shipping, and cremation options with an emphasis on supporting cultural traditions throughout the funeral process. Authentic traditional cuisine is served in the New Haven lounge during visitation and repass celebrations with such offerings as doubles, ackee and saltfish, red pea soup, mannish water, and jerk chicken lasagna to name a few.
The centre also extends their services with a mandate to give back to the community by facilitating grief counselling, mediation services, first class estate planning, health and wellness seminars. With a diverse team that embraces culture, the New Haven family makes every effort to maintain and carry out the traditions and wishes of the families they serve where they believe
Dr. Marilyn Morris: Professional
Dr Marlyn Morris is a strategic, innovative and visionary leader, with strong organization and strategic relationship building skills; transformational change- agent with political acuity and robust record of success within the Strategic Policy, Planning and Stakeholder
Relationship Management in the Public, Private and Not-For-Profit Sectors locally and as an international development consultant. She is a collaborative, systems-thinker, and development planner with strong determination to lead the growth and development of an
organization into success by facilitating change focused on strategic priorities and stakeholder dialogue. She is a Dynamic Corporate Leadership and Management Coach, Women, Parent and Youth empowerment coach and mentor, with special focus on parent coaching for raising
conscious, resilient, and successful children. A Legislative Reviewer and Legislative Drafter, Curriculum Developer, Educator, Certified Professional Coach and Trainer. Worked as International Consultant for many of the countries of the Caribbean on sector development
projects development and intervention framework strategies, funded by the World Bank, Caribbean Development Bank; UNDP, EC-ACP-European Commission for African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries, UN-HABITAT, Organization of American States and the Inter-American Development Bank..
Academic and Professional Qualifications
• PhD in Planning and Development Studies-University of London, UK
• M.Sc. (Econ,) in Urban Development Planning-University of London, UK
• BA (Hons,) Geology and Geography -Double Major-University of the West Indies
• LLB (Hons)-Bachelor of Law-University of Wolverhampton, UK
• Diploma in Education- (Post Graduate Studies) University of West Indies
• Certificate in Legislative Drafting-Boston University (USA)
• Teachers’ Certificate-Shortwood College, Jamaica
• Certified Professional Coach-Wainwright Global and the Strategic Learning Alliance Institute-California.
In service Training Certifications: –
• Certificate-Physical Soil Analysis and Testing, In- ervice Training-Government of JamaicaMicro-Dam Construction Project-Ministry of Agriculture Jan-June 1982.
• Certificate in Environmental Impact Assessment, – rganization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)& Government of St Lucia October 2002.
• Certificate in Social Impact Assessment, In-service Training-International Association of Impact Assessors. February 2000.
• Certificate, Solid Waste Management, In-service Training, Government of St Lucia.
• Certificate in Strategic Project Management, Commonwealth Secretariat & Institute of Business (IOB)- University of the West Indies (UWI) Nov 2003.
• Certificate in Participatory Social Impact Assessment, February 2000.
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• Certificate of in Project Management, In-service Training-Government of St Lucia Oct 1998.
Critical Competencies: – ten to over twenty years experience in the following:
• as a Strategic Planning and Policy Development Expert, in Urban and Regional Development
Planning, Land-Use Planning, Housing and Community Development Planning and Governance.
• Trainer and Educator, in the Public, Private and Not-for-Profit Sectors, in Canada, Caribbean and Guyana in South America.
• Worked in the education services sector for over twenty years, as teacher, lecturer, adult trainer, administration, training programme development and policy, as well as performing the roles of student mentor, coach, counsellor, and thesis advisor.
• An Educator with teaching experience at the post secondary level as a college and university lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning to Diploma and Master’s Degree students.
• Curriculum Developer for Social and Emotional Learning; Transformation Coaching (Trainthe Trainer Program); Land-use and Community Development Planning; Urban and Regional Planning; Housing and Settlement Planning; Life/Social Skills Training, Youth
Entrepreneurial Development Training & Teachers’ Professional Development Training-New
Focus on 21st Century Education.
• A Leadership and Management Development, Institutional Strengthening and Capacity
Building Expert, with focus on Executive Leadership Development Training and Coaching .
• A consultant Legislative Reviewer and Legislative Drafter,
• Certified Professional Transformation Coach and Train-the-Trainer Coach An Urban and Regional Integrated Development Strategist, Promoter, Trainer and Practitioner in Green Development Strategies for Sustainable Development. This is a focus on the principles of Sustainable Development to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient,
and sustainable, with the Important considerations for Smart cities and Infrastructure, green economy, green energy technology, and livelihood strategies.
Organizational Affiliates and Awards
• Founder, Managing Director, and Lead Consultant of Morris Training and Consultancy Services, Scarborough Ontario,
• Founder and Director of Programs, Ontario College for Development Training, (Private
Career Enhancement Training Agency), Unit #11, 1085 Bellamy Road North
Scarborough, ON M1H3C7; www.ontariocollegetraining.org.
• Founder & Director of Programs, Inspiring Life Solutions, Unit #11, 1085 Bellamy Road
North, Scarborough, ON, M1H3C7 ,https://inspiringlifesolutions.com; A Transformation
Coach Training Unit of the Ontario College for Development Training.
Faith Greaves: Community Leader
FAITH GREAVES: PUBLIC FIGURE, HUMANITARIAN, PHILANTHROPY AND ADVOCATE
For forty-six years Faith Greaves consider Canada as her home, a place that shapes her development and gives her the freedom to be who she wants to be. Twelve years ago, Faith has integrated in the diverse fabric of the Calgary Community.
Faith moved back to Toronto in the summer of 2018 to join her family, she is very proud to call Calgary her second home.
While living in Calgary, Faith has consistently demonstrated her servicesin her community associations as a project leader, community coordinator, and as a consultant serving the Calgary community. Faith is a humanitarian, philanthropist, and an activist at heart, and she has invested her time and expertise with many Calgary organizations that are driven towards the common goal of engaging the community at its grass roots.
Faith’s community engagement strategy to develop abundant communities, has stemmed from her personal sense of stewardship of creating them in her own backyard. From organizing bread drives out of her home, to participating on city
advisory boards, Faith has been able to connect and engage with people from all walks of life. Faith listens, and when asked, has acted as an advocate to bring forward individuals lived experiences.
In 2012, Faith founded the theatrical productions company Mozia Shows & Plays Inc. Creating this theatre group was the beginning of Faith’s ambitions to build abundant communities. She dedicated her efforts by focusing on one child and one family at a time. During this period of her life, Faith also decided to further her education and attended Columbia College where she graduated and received her diploma as a Human Services Professional in 2014. Reversing back, while in college on March 2013, she was involved in an automobile accident, this did not stop her or dampen her spirit in organizing and hosting the memorable theatrical production, on May 2013, “I Need to Know My Father”, written and produced by Marcia Brown Production.
From 2013 to 2014 she was the Director of the Falconridge/Castleridge Community Association and has served as a volunteer with Calgary Catholic Immigration Services. In 2013 to 2017 she was selected to sit as a member of the Calgary
Police Diversity Board.
She also took pride in organizing community events like the, Ring Ding Our Children Ting Talent Show, Marcus Garvey Youth Leadership Awards, and Presentation and Calgary Talented Black Women Recognition and Award Celebration.
When it comes to community engagement, Faith is committed to leading by example. She has demonstrated this by either accessing resources available and providing one on one support and guidance, or by creating paths to new ones. Faith takes pride in bridging social, economic, cultural and racial divides.
In 2016, she formed the Black History Heritage Group which educated and empowered diverse communities the rich culture of African, Caribbean, and Canadian pioneer’s past and present.
Faith felt that the black community in Calgary was being marginalized and needed support with integration into the community. So this time she decided to take a big leap forward by placing herself on the frontline to be one of many candidates in the 2017 Municipal election in Calgary. Faith ran her election with limited budget and limited staff, four months before the election, her campaign manager walked out on her, she did not give up, she was determined and more driven as she continued in the campaign race to the very end.
Although she did not win the wardship, she was a winner in her own rights; she was able to say she was the second black woman who ran in the municipal election and this gives hope for other young girls’ and boys’ confidence to say yes, they too can make a difference. This is just the start of Faith’s journey to make a difference on a large scale to see equality for all people.
Faith is back in Toronto! And she is on a mission to continue what she has started and to bring meaningful programs along with events to the community. She will continue to be a voice as she familiarizes herself with friends and new colleagues.
Faith has currently completed her Immigration Diploma Program as of September 2019.
Faith’s lived experiences provoked her entrepreneurial calling by reestablishing the Mozia Brand in summer of 2020. The brand includes her nonprofit organization, (Mozia Women’s Network Society) with its mandate of empowering seniors, children, women, youth and families through life and social skills including socio-economic components. The organization has achieved astounding milestone in February 2021 by going beyond and above its regular community responsibilities by
offering health and wellness packages to its membership, a product of Group Insurance through one of the most reputable and well establish financial institution in Canada.
The norm of group insurance coverage for employees is usually offered to employed staff of a corporate organizations.
But this new model would also offer membership coverage for non-employed staff of a non-profit organization; which she strongly believes that the community would greatly benefit from such coverage. Faith did not stop, during the surge of Covid-19, in the latter part of spring 2020, she felt that she needed to do something out side of the box so to speak and challenged herself with the task of acquiring in Etobicoke over 10, 000 square feet of space. She was persistent with this task, her landlord rejected her proposal 5 times before finally saying yes.
Today, the space is a co-shared space managed by Mozia Professional Business Centre Inc. The space allows business owners, entrepreneurs,startup and others to thrive, meet and network without additional overhead expenses. This space which is wheel chair and elevator accessible offers services such as; high speed internet, meeting spaces, 24 hour accessibility to tenants, photocopying packages, P.O. Box services, training room, faxing, media room, hot seat, private offices, laptop rentals, Commissioner & Notary Public. Easy access from the highway 4 minutes from the airport, 4 minutes from the airport, 2 minute walk from the Go-Train, bus stop adjacent to the office, 15 minutes form the subway, 20 minutes from downtown.
Faith is back in Toronto! And she is on a mission to continue what she has started and to bring meaningful programs along with events to the community. She will continue to be a voice as she familiarizes herself with friends and new colleagues.
Faith has currently completed her Immigration Diploma Program as of September 2019. You can connect with Mozia brands at 416-244-3332, 647-812-7322 or email booking@moziapbci.com, info@moziawomensnetworksociety.com and
their websites www.moziaprofessionalbusinesscentreinc.com and www.moziawomensnetworksociety.com.
VOLUNTEER WORK:
National Policy Alliance North America Women’s Round Table Current
National Policy Alliance Canada Current
Historic Black Towns & Settlements Alliance Current
Harriet Tubman Community Organization Current
Co-Chair, Calico School Council 2018-current
Administrator for House of God International Prayer Ministry 2019-2021
Program Director, Temple Community Association 2015- 2016
Initiated the Black History Month celebration at Columbia College 2014
Calgary Police Services -Caribbean and Latino Diversity Board 2013- 2018
Director, Falconridge & Castleridge Community Association 2013- 2014
Community Liaison, Jamaican Canadian Association 2009- 2016
Chairperson, Afrikadeye Society 2009- 2010
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Black History Heritage Group Recognition Certificate from Premier of Alberta 2019
Mozia Shows & Plays Certificate of Community Partner Appreciation 2017-2019
Mozia Women’s Network Society Certificate of Community Partner Appreciation 2017-2019
Founder of The Black History Heritage Group 2016
Created, Directed and planned “The Black History Heritage Society Concert 2017-2019
Candidate for City of Calgary Municipal Election 2016-2017
Directed and created “It Takes a Village the Kids on the Avenue Festival” 2016
Created “Marcus Garvey Youth Awards & Presentation” 2015
Designed “Calgary Talented and International Black Women Recognition & 2015
Awards Celebration”
Founder of Mozia Women’s Network Society 2015 – current
Outstanding Community Spirit Award 2014
Facilitate workshop on “Dress for Success” at Columbia College created the syllabus 2013
for the workshop and delivery of presentation
Gateway Practicum Placement 2013
Assisted the ESL facilitator with executing the daily classroom lesson
Created “Ring Ding, Our Children Ting Talent Show” (directed the talent show for children) 2013
Planned and Executed “I Need to Know My Father”, Theatrical Production 2013
Event attracted over 600 adult and youth
Founder, Mozia Shows & Plays Inc. 2012 – current
Championed “Jamaica 50th
” Independence Keepsake Memoir Aug 2012
Developed, designed, and created the 50th Keepsake magazine within four weeks
Emmanuel Aladi: Entrepreneur
Emmanuel Aladi graduated as a pharmacist from the University of Nigerian Nsukka, Nigeria.
He started his career as a pharmacist in Kano, Nigeria where he operated his pharmacy until 2001.
In February 2001, he immigrated to Canada, by December of the same year, he had obtained his licence to practice in Alberta.
Emmanuel worked for Canada Safeway and rose to the position of Pharmacy Manager, a position he occupied until 2013.
In 2003, his lovely wife and two children joined him in Calgary after completing her medical education in Nigerian. She, subsequently completed her residency and obtained licence to practice as a family physician in Alberta.
In 2012, Emmanuel assisted his wife Dr Flora Aladi to open a family practice clinic in Mckenzie (Calgary) and helped in the management and operations of the clinic.
In 2013, he stepped down as pharmacy manager with Safeway to a part time pharmacist, in other to devote more time to the clinic operations.
A few years later, both Emmanuel and Flora established a second clinic location and a pharmacy in Calgary. Emmanuel and his wife are also involved real estate investments and owns a number of investment properties.
In 2018, Emmanuel obtained approval as Denny’s Franchisee and started their first Denny’s restaurant in Airdrie; and recently opened a second Denny’s location in Calgary downtown.
Emmanuel is an active member of Igbo Cultural Association of Calgary and the Nigerian Canadian Association of Calgary and has volunteered as an executive member as well as in several committees.
Ejibola Adetokunbo-Taiwo: Community Leader
Ejibola is one of the key players when it comes to women entrepreneurship ecosystem in Canada. Ejibola is a force to reckon with when it comes to uplifting women to success, empowering women to embrace and pursue their creative ideas. Ejibola’s mantra to all women is always “See you at the T.O.P, the place where we all belong” and she speaks so passionately about being on a mission where “#NoWomanShouldBeLeftBehind”. Ejibola founded de Sedulous Women Leaders in 2018 after noticing as a Banker that 99% of her business clients are Caucasians and she wondered where women like herself were, and why they are not into business, creating products and services and making impact within the community. She didn’t see the representation when it comes to banking services offerings taken by immigrant women nor booking appointment with such to review their business plans or review their financial statement for funding/loans. She knew something was wrong because she sees immigrant businesses owned by women scattered within the city. Her first event gathering immigrant women business owners together attracted the attention of the media (Daily Herald Tribune) because nothing of such was ever done in the North West Alberta. She brought in experts in finance, business planning to speak to the women; she looked for successful women within the community to come share their success stories with the participants … the women went home empowered, embolden to start doing more, determined to start utilizing the available resources to help grow their business idea and business. Gradually, the city began to see more immigrant women opening up business and scaling up into the city mall. This became the start of a movement because within months, city chapters were established in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto and Surrey UK. The nominee’s service is needed because immigrant women particularly women of colour, black women seldom feel they shouldn’t aspire bigger or dream bigger just because they don’t see women like themselves up there shining and raising the flag. Women particularly in the Northern region of Canada lack that representation unlike big cities like Toronto. Ejibola is helping to spread the resources that’s out there with women everywhere. Her services have been recognized severally, most recently she was named a Woman of Inspiration – Rural Leader Award 2020 by the Universal Women Network. She was named a Woman of Influence Trailblazer by the City of Grande Prairie 2019. In 2018, she was one of the RBC Top 75 Canadian Immigrants.
One of the community challenge she was able to identify of lack of funding and grants for immigrant women. Majority of the grants out there are not tailored specifically to meet the needs of an immigrant women entrepreneur, as such, they fall out of benefiting from such grant initiatives which therefore hinders their business growth. Ejibola launched the first ever Canadian Female Immigrant Grant called “femImmiGRANTS” in September in the mist of the Covid Pandemic, the grant was a venture project aimed to support Start-up women entrepreneurs with Scale-Up capital. She set-up a group of women called “Elevators” to fund the grants (the Elevators are immigrant women who are willing and intentional about elevating the next start-up woman with scale up capital). The launch of the grant was very successful. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Hon. Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade was at the launch to give Opening Remark. Two Start-Up businesses went home with a $2,500 grant each and Five finalist went home with 3years fully paid Online store valued at $1,080 each plus a 12months mentorship growth program for all five finalist. Ejibola aims to increase the number of grant in 2021 to 10 times the grant given during the launch, and she is working with other amazing immigrant women to make this a reality.
Ejibola’s aspiration didn’t stop there, she (de Sedulous Women Leaders) is currently the Host of a national grant called “Rise Up Pitch Competition” in partnership with BBPA (Black Business Professional Association), CASA Foundation and WEKH (Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub), the grant recognizes leading African, Caribbean and Black Women Entrepreneurs who have persevered despite the challenges of recent pandemic months with innovative business ideas.
Ejibola is filling the gap for immigrant women and black women when it comes to entrepreneurship. She is breaking grounds and pulling down boundaries to make sure every woman is not left behind in achieving her dreams. She is helping to bridge the challenge that every woman entrepreneur particularly blacks, women of colour and immigrant women in general are facing. She is a community builder and a change maker.
The Categories
Community Leader of the Year Award
those who have done a good job to promote, improve, and build community, through volunteering, nonprofit work, or volunteer at their ethno cultural community.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
those who have done a good job to build a business that supports community.
Junior Achievement Award
a youth below 32,that have done a good job in the community, in education, arts, career, or otherwise.
Lifetime Achievement Award
those who have made success in their lifetime, making significant impact in the community.
Forward Moving Organization Award
goes to a group, community, organization or business that has done a good job in projecting their culture, their products, services or project.
Unsung Heroes Award
for those who have done a good job but never appreciated in the community.
Artist of the Year Award
is any entertainer, DJ, artist, anybody who produces a form of arts.
Fashion Designer Award
is anyone in the fashion industry who have designs to showcase at the award ceremony
