Img source: The Canadian Press
May 29, 2024 Story by: Editor
Governments and corporations in Canada allocate substantial funds annually for procurement, but Jackee Kasandy notes that historically, very little of this has benefited Black-owned businesses. Kasandy, leading the Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society in British Columbia, is determined to shift this narrative.
Her organization now offers a certification program tailored to Black-owned businesses, facilitating their entry into the complex world of government and corporate procurement. Developed in collaboration with Public Services and Procurement Canada, the program aims to bridge the gap in knowledge and opportunity for Black entrepreneurs.
“We know that the government buys just absolutely everything,” Kasandy emphasized. “So it’s great to do business with the government and supply to the government.”
Upon discovering the lack of government procurement contracts awarded to Black-owned businesses, Kasandy’s organization sought to address the underlying issues. “We found out that there was a huge knowledge gap,” she explained. “They didn’t know that this opportunity existed, they didn’t even know how to go about it.”
With various governments and corporations committing to supplier diversity initiatives, the Black Business Certification Program was launched. The inaugural cohort of participants has recently completed the intensive 12- to 14-week program.
Al White, owner of Toronto-based cybersecurity firm WRI Canada, was among the program’s first 20 entrepreneurs. Initially hesitant due to perceived bureaucratic hurdles, White found the program’s online meetups invaluable. These sessions featured guest speakers and procurement professionals, providing crucial insights into navigating government and corporate procurement processes.
“For small-business people like me, there is now a renewed interest in doing business with the federal government,” White affirmed.
Asha Wheeldon, founder of B.C.-based Kula Foods, highlighted the program’s role in helping her assess her company’s capabilities while demystifying procurement systems.
“Having that access to decision-makers, buyers, and the staff involved in this process who shared their knowledge was very helpful,” Wheeldon noted.
Kasandy envisions a future where Black-owned businesses receive a fair share of government and corporate contracts, akin to initiatives benefiting Indigenous groups. While systemic change is desired, the immediate focus is on equipping entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to navigate procurement processes effectively.
“Our ideal world would be that there’s another three or five per cent for other diverse businesses,” Kasandy remarked. “But for now, what we needed to do was provide the training that was required for these entrepreneurs to be able to engage in this business.” Source: CTV News
