Black Creek Community Health Centre is a Community Health Centre based in Toronto, Ontario. Their services include team-based primary care, a sexual health clinic, diabetes care, nutrition, kinesiology, foot care, mental health counselling, pregnancy and breastfeeding support, physiotherapy and a wide range other social and community development programs. One of these social and community development programs is an innovative initiative called the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance.

As a large proportion of the clients and groups served by Black Creek CHC are Black people, and from a wide range of social, cultural, and economic backgrounds, the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance seeks to foster individual, family and community economic empowerment across this client through education and support for self-sufficient and financially stable entrepreneurship. We recently spoke to Olu Villasa on CACHC’s Community Matters podcast about what the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance offers to clients.

The Black Entrepreneurship Alliance has six core programs: the Product Feasibility Bootcamp, the Business & Leadership Essential Certificate Program, the Food & Beverage Accelerator Program, the Black Business Essentials: Workshop Series, the Investment Bootcamp, and the Venture Catalyst Program, all in partnership with York University.

Several studies prove that entrepreneurship encourages community and economic development through introducing innovation, technology and new products and services to the market. On the other hand, there is also evidence showing that financial stress leads to insomnia, weight fluctuations, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, physical ailments and many more issues that can persist (https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/coping-with-financial-stress.htm). By helping members of the Black Creek CHC community become financially stable, more independent and grow their horizons – not only is the CHC giving back to the community, but also contributing to the physical and mental health of these clients, their families, and the broader community in positive ways.

Derrick Dudley, an entrepreneur who was supported by the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance attended the Business & Leadership Essential Certificate Program. When asked about the program, he said, “the program prompted me to think beyond just having an investment-ready business plan. The content has shifted my attention to how I, as an individual, will execute the business plan. The LeaderGene assessment, in particular, is helping me to identify the best utilization of what motivates me, as it pertains to business decisions and engagements.”

Melanie Amadasun who founded the company F.A.M. Homemade Sauces was also asked about her experience at the BEA. She was able to participate in the 10-week Product Feasibility Program. She learned product pricing, unit economics, packaging and even how to speak to customers. She had wanted to change the way her products were perceived and add ingredients and labelling to her jars. “I went into the program unsure about my product, wondering if it even made sense or if I should bother with it,” says Amadasun. “I left the 10-week program feeling like this is something I really want to be doing. This is something I need to be going full force on.” After the program she was able to create a website, set to launch shortly, and connect with someone in the community who can assist her in adding labelling and nutritional facts to her products so she can expand into grocery stores. Melanie also feels that these programs, “are super important, particularly for Black entrepreneurs, because we need a space and an environment that is going to nurture us and grow us and give us the additional confidence or any gaps that are missing in this industry so we can become more successful.” Melanie was also able to connect with other female entrepreneurs and continue to connect with them regularly as a support network.

Both Derrick and Melanie exemplify the importance of the programs that the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance is offering. The ability to grow a business and see your ideas thrive is directly connected to mental health, physical health and a compounding, positive impact in the community. The wrap around approach Black Creek Community Health Centre is providing allows for Black clients to thrive in more ways than one, with focus on physical, mental, spiritual and economic health and wellbeing.