Watch your Diversity Community Newscast for all the week’s events and news, hosted by Harriet Tinka and Rayyah Sempala

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Diversity Magazine’s Coverage of Calgary Small Business Week with the Calgary Chamber The Calgary Chamber hosted the Calgary Small Business Awards 2024 on October 25 at the Hyatt Regency Calgary, a celebration of local entrepreneurs whose innovative spirit and dedication contribute to the city’s vibrant economy. The event recognized outstanding businesses across multiple categories, showcasing not only their growth but also their impact on the community. Throughout the ceremony, the winners shared their joy and stories of resilience with Diversity Magazine’s camera crew. Speaking in both English and French, they reflected on the challenges and triumphs that brought them to this moment. You can watch their inspiring testimonials and hear their insights here: [insert link]. Award Winners - CPHR Alberta People’s Choice Award: Bowness Soapworks Known for its eco-conscious soaps and personal care products, this business won the hearts of customers through its commitment to sustainability and community involvement. -Servus Credit Union Small Business of the Year Award: Adaptability Store Inc. Celebrated for its inclusive approach, Adaptability Store provides products that empower individuals with disabilities, fostering independence and dignity. -Doane Grant Thornton Emerging Growth Award: SKA Thermal Spa This luxury spa, offering state-of-the-art thermal treatments, has quickly established itself as a go-to wellness destination, impressing the judges with its rapid growth. -Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award: Tacit Edge Inc. Recognized for embedding DEI principles into its operations, Tacit Edge has set a new standard for inclusive business practices in Calgary. -Air Canada Community Champion Award: Bird Creatives Ltd. Bird Creatives earned this honor for its commitment to giving back, using its design and marketing expertise to uplift local causes and initiatives. -Bow Valley College Innovation Award: C.E.C. Innovations Ltd. C.E.C. Innovations stood out for its groundbreaking solutions, driving progress in technology and business practices through constant innovation. -ATB Financial Indigenous Entrepreneurship Award: Muskwa Productions Muskwa Productions was recognized for celebrating Indigenous culture through film and media, empowering Indigenous voices and fostering cross-cultural understanding. -CPA Alberta Social Entrepreneurship Award: MAXGreen Windows, Siding, and Roofing This environmentally conscious company impressed the judges by integrating sustainability into its operations, proving that business success and social responsibility can go hand-in-hand. Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage of their stories on Diversity Magazine’s platforms!
Lambert Opula, Director of the Entrepreneurship Hub at CEJFI (Centre for the Support of Young Immigrant Women), oversees three entrepreneurship programs: the entrepreneurship of immigrant women and girls, business launches in collaboration with school Boards, and the SIFA program, which benefits from Canadian entrepreneurship support. Before becoming the Director of Entrepreneurship, Lambert conducted research at the University of Montreal on policies supporting the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Montreal, which earned him a degree. In 2012, he joined CEJFI as a business launch trainer, teaching business planning for around 12 years while managing various business projects. Main Mission of the Project was to address the difficulties observed in the socio-economic integration of immigrant women of African descent. These women face significant challenges in entering the job market and encounter obstacles even when accessing employability services. An in-depth analysis revealed that these challenges stem from factors such as discrimination, lack of knowledge of Canadian entrepreneurial practices, and the long, traumatic migration processes that have a considerable impact on their socio-economic situations. The project's primary objective is to contribute to the acceleration of the socio-economic integration of the targeted women. Launch of the 7th Cohort of the Project each year, the program runs two cohorts of 20 women per cohort. Impact of the Ecosystem on the Project: The popularity of the project is undeniable. The SIFA program has expanded into all sectors, including convenience stores and daycare centers. However, it was observed that when the women start initiatives, many close after three years due to lack of funding and limited understanding of the Canadian market. To address these weaknesses, CEJFI has incorporated digital marketing training, including how to use digital tools to enhance the visibility of their offerings. Additionally, artificial intelligence is now integrated to better assist women in their entrepreneurial journeys. The project aims to bring immigrant women to the same level as women from the host communities, which would greatly enhance their socio-economic integration. End of Ecosystem Funding in March 2025: What will be the Impact? Without renewed funding, it would be unfortunate. The participants have significantly improved their socio-economic conditions, and continuing the project would be beneficial. The program provides valuable content, tailored to the specific weaknesses of the target group of women entrepreneurs. In terms of strategy, each theme has been researched by experts, including certified accountants for the financial aspects, entrepreneurship professors, and renowned mentors from the Montreal area. However, misunderstandings have sometimes arise between the experts, trained in classical methods of opportunity identification, and the participants, often influenced by their experiences. To address this, advisors act as intermediaries between the experts and participants to ensure mutual understanding. The project also offers monthly workshops, where participants present their projects to experts, which is an innovative approach that deserves support. Incentive Strategies and Future Prospects Providing incentives would encourage participants to persevere, such as grants or other forms of support. This would allow the women to see concrete opportunities for success and provide the encouragement they need to overcome the difficulties they often face.
Hands Lifting Hearts has positively impacted the lives of approximately a thousand women and families, providing essential support and resources....   On Saturday, October 20, at the Riviera Plaza in Calgary, Hands Lifting Hearts by Clare Jagunna, organized the African Canadian Motherhood Summit. This empowering event brought together mothers, expectant mothers, and community leaders to celebrate and discuss the unique experiences and challenges faced by African Canadian mothers. Minister Muhammed Yasseen emphasized the importance of relationships in our society, stating, "In my own experience, the best relationship is Motherhood."   The summit featured a variety of activities, including cultural performances from an intercultural youth choir, as well as presentations highlighting Senegalese, Ethiopian, and Ghanaian cultures. Additionally, the organization took this opportunity to celebrate their dedicated volunteers with awards recognizing their invaluable contributions in various areas, including the Volunteers Awards, Unsung Heroes, and recognition for the Board of Directors.   As a gesture of appreciation, guests and speakers were presented with symbolic gifts, where they were draped in traditional African fabrics as a warm welcome.     The upcoming Hands Lifting Hearts Transition Home aims to create a safe, supportive environment for pregnant women and new mothers facing homelessness or instability. This initiative will offer essential services like shelter, food, and baby supplies, along with emotional and mental health support. To bring this vital initiative to life, they invite your donations to help make this dream a reality. Donate now: https://handsliftinghearts.ca/donate-now/   For more insights, listen directly to the video on Diversity TV: https://youtu.be/T0wERw8jPW8   Follow us now on www.diversitymag dotca for more stories.
“…we wouldn’t be able to get to as many people across Canada as we are doing…the Canadian Government has recognized the extension of the Decade…they therefore should recognize the need to extend their commitment…financial commitments…,” Christopher Thompson, Executive Director of the Federation of Black Canadian talked to Diversity. He spoke to Diversity Magazine from Ontario on October 15, 2024, about the success of their entrepreneurship program, training over 200 entrepreneurs across Canada but will drastically reduce the support across Canada if funding phases out at the end of March 2025. The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) received $265 million from the Canadian Government over four years to help Black business owners and entrepreneurs succeed. BEP initiatives, including the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, the National Ecosystem Fund, and the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, have supported the creation and expansion of over 5,000 Black-owned businesses, generating over $220 million in revenue and creating more than 3,800 jobs. As these programs near their expiration on March 31, 2025, community leaders are advocating for their continuation.
Celebrate Trades and Professionals in Alberta... On October 16, the Premier’s Summit on Fairness for Newcomers took place at the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre. Organized by the premier, the summit brought together leaders from industries, unions, and community organizations from all over the province to explore strategies for supporting newcomers and addressing Alberta’s labor market needs. The summit included several engaging panels: the Newcomer Experience Panel, the Business Best Practices Panel, and the Skills Trades Union Panel. These discussions focused on identifying best practices and pathways for employment, with insights from experts across sectors. Hasmik Asmaryan from the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) encouraged businesses and unions to explore partnerships with organizations like CCIS. “To businesses and unions, I encourage you to partner with organizations like CCIS to access the wealth of diverse talent in the newcomer community. Such collaborations provide a competitive advantage by driving innovation and fostering growth in your industries,” she said. Warren Singh from the Alberta Construction Association emphasized the importance of apprenticeship pathways in developing Alberta’s workforce. He outlined the Trade Pathways Objective, saying, “We aim to provide essential support and work experience opportunities, helping unemployed and underemployed Albertans transition into apprenticeships and skilled trades.” In a special feature, Diversity Magazine’s Calgary reporter Audra Komo interviewed Monte McNaughton, a keynote speaker at the event. McNaughton shared his thoughts on the critical role of skilled trades in building an inclusive economy. You can listen to the full interview here: https://youtu.be/ql_NsGoWFG8 Monte McNaughton, a former Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, is now the Executive Vice-President at Woodbine Entertainment. As Ontario’s former Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, McNaughton spearheaded several innovative workforce initiatives. The Premier’s Summit on Fairness for Newcomers highlights Alberta’s commitment to fostering fairness, inclusion, and economic opportunity. By addressing barriers to employment and encouraging collaboration between businesses, unions, and community organizations, the province is paving the way for newcomers to thrive and contribute meaningfully to Alberta’s future
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