The Africadian Empowerment Academy

What The Africadian Empowerment Academy does

The Africadian Empowerment Academy (AEA) is a registered Canadian charity (Charity Registration Number 793107525RR0001) headquartered at 18 Wilfred Jackson Way in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Founded in 2014 as the East Preston Empowerment Academy (EPEA) — a ministry of East Preston United Baptist Church — and rebranded to its current name in April 2024 at its 10th Anniversary, the organization delivers workforce development programming for people of African descent in Nova Scotia. Its mission addresses systemic inequities restricting access to apprenticeship registration, industry networks, and trade certification.

AEA operates six core programs: Youth Career Exploration, Pre-Apprenticeship, Pathways to Shipbuilding (delivered in partnership with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and NSCC), Direct Entry Trades, Red Seal Certification Preparation, and Mentorship. Programs are fully funded for eligible participants — covering tuition, fees, books, tools, equipment, and living costs — and are delivered at AEA's headquarters, NSCC Akerley Campus, East Preston Recreation Centre, and employer sites. The organization is an end-to-end pathway provider, taking participants from first introduction through Red Seal certification and long-term career advancement.

The revenue model is grant-, donation-, and sponsorship-based. Funding sources include multiple Nova Scotia provincial government departments (African Nova Scotian Affairs; Labour, Skills & Immigration; Apprenticeship Agency; Community Services; Communities, Culture, Tourism & Heritage; Economic Development; Seniors and Long-Term Care), corporate sponsorships (Nova Scotia Power as Silver sponsor), individual donations (processed through CanadaHelps), and securities donations. The organization has ~14 FTE staff and is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by founding President Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard, with Executive Director Omolara Ogunbosi leading operations. Economic impact studies (2020 Deloitte; 2024 in-house) report $1.02M (2016-2020) and $3.11M (2021-2023) GDP contributions to Nova Scotia.

Name

The Africadian Empowerment Academy

Legal name

The Africadian Empowerment Academy

Website

https://africadian.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Africadian Empowerment Academy (AEA) is a Nova Scotia–based registered charity providing skilled trades training, workforce readiness, and mentorship programs for people of African descent. It operates six core programs — including Pathways to Shipbuilding with Irving Shipbuilding and NSCC — fully funded for eligible participants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dartmouth

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: AEA accepts charitable donations from individuals and organizations. Donations can be one-time or recurring monthly contributions. All donations are processed through CanadaHelps and donors receive instant charitable tax receipts.
2. Government Funding & Grants: AEA receives funding from various government departments and agencies including African Nova Scotian Affairs, NS Labour Skills and Immigration, Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, NS Dept of Community Services, NS Dept of Communities Culture Tourism & Heritage, and NS Dept of Economic Development.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: AEA receives sponsorship support from corporations including Nova Scotia Power (Silver sponsor) and various other corporate partners listed on the About page.
4. Securities Donations: AEA accepts donations of securities, which provide enhanced tax benefits for donors compared to cash donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Africadian Empowerment Academy (AEA) provides free, community-led skilled trades training and workforce development programs for people of African descent and the broader public in Nova Scotia. Its portfolio covers youth career exploration, pre-apprenticeship support, a flagship Pathways to Shipbuilding program delivered with Irving Shipbuilding and NSCC, direct entry into trades, Red Seal exam preparation, and ongoing mentorship from first introduction through professional certification and career advancement.

Product overview

The Africadian Empowerment Academy (AEA) offers a comprehensive portfolio of workforce development and skilled trades training programs. The core offering consists of six interconnected programs: Youth Career Exploration Program (for high school students and youth), Pre-Apprenticeship Program (bridging technical training to apprenticeship), Pathways to Shipbuilding (in partnership with Irving Shipbuilding and NSCC for metal fabrication/welding careers), Direct Entry Trades Program (for immediate workforce entry), Red Seal Certification Preparation Program (for experienced tradespeople seeking national certification), and Mentorship Programming. These programs are supported by workforce readiness training and provide an end-to-end pathway from career exploration through professional certification and long-term career advancement in skilled trades.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Career Exploration Program

Quantifiable outcome

• $3.11 million in GDP contribution to Nova Scotia (2021-2023)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Marid Industries LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Industry partner for Pathways to Shipbuilding program Cohort 2, supporting employment pathways for participants in the shipbuilding sector.
• RKO Steel LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Industry partner for Pathways to Shipbuilding program Cohort 2, supporting employment pathways for participants in the shipbuilding sector.
• CMS Steel Pro IncminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Industry partner for Pathways to Shipbuilding program Cohort 2, supporting employment pathways for participants in the shipbuilding sector.
• Nova Scotia Department of Seniors and Long-Term CareminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Government department providing Age-Friendly Communities Grant Program funding for the 'Crafting Our Legacy: Stories of Skilled Trades' Art Exhibition project.
• Nova Scotia PowerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2024Silver sponsor for AEA's 10th Anniversary celebration. Supporting AEA's events and programs through corporate sponsorship.
• NS Dept of Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Government department serving as Platinum sponsor for AEA's 10th Anniversary. Supports AEA's programs and initiatives through funding.
• NS Dept of Communities, Culture, Tourism & HeritagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Government department serving as Platinum sponsor for AEA's 10th Anniversary. Supports cultural and community development initiatives.
• NS Dept of Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Government department serving as Platinum sponsor for AEA's 10th Anniversary. Supports economic development initiatives in Nova Scotia.
• Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Educational foundation partner for Pathways to Shipbuilding program, providing funding and support for student success.
• Black Cultural Centre for Nova ScotiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Venue partner for AEA's 'Crafting Our Legacy' Art Exhibition showcasing stories of skilled trades professionals.
• Irving Shipbuilding Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Primary employer partner for Pathways to Shipbuilding program. Irving Shipbuilding is Canada's National Shipbuilder selected in 2011 to build combat vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy. AEA collaborates with Irving Shipbuilding to create employment pathways for people of African descent into the shipbuilding industry. Graduates meeting hiring criteria may be hired as Metal Fabricator apprentices.
• Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Educational partner delivering the Metal Fabrication Diploma program at Akerley Campus. NSCC provides the academic curriculum while AEA provides cultural programming and student support. NSCC also hosts AEA space on-campus for continued support services.
• Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Government agency responsible for apprenticeship in Nova Scotia. Partners with AEA to support apprenticeship registrations and career progression for program graduates working toward Red Seal certification.
• Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills & Immigration (Employment Nova Scotia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Government department providing funding support and employment services. Provides financial support aligned with their funding rates for living costs during the Pathways to Shipbuilding program.
• African Nova Scotian Affairs (ANSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Government department supporting African Nova Scotian communities. Serves as Platinum sponsor and key partner in supporting people of African descent in achieving their goals through AEA programs.
• YMCA Nova Scotia Works Employment Services CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Employment services partner providing support for job seekers and workforce development. Collaborates with AEA to support participants in finding employment within the skilled trades sector.
• Deloitte CanadaminorOthersConducted 2020 economic impact study showing AEA contributed up to $1.02 million in GDP to Halifax economy between 2016-2020 and generated $161,000 in government revenue.
• East Preston United Baptist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding ministry for AEA (then East Preston Empowerment Academy). Originates from church men's brotherhood event where founders Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard and Pastor LeQuita Porter began the program addressing barriers to education faced by community members.
• Akoma FamilycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty owners of the historical African Nova Scotian community location where AEA headquarters is situated (The Akoma Family property at 18 Wilfred Jackson Way).

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• YWCA Halifax: Regional women's organization based in Halifax/Nova Scotia providing employment and workforce development programs alongside other community services. Comparable regional employment-services peer operating in the same geography with similar equity-focused mission.

Direct peers

• BuildForce Canada: National non-profit focused on construction industry workforce development and skilled trades training in Canada. Directly comparable to AEA in its focus on addressing skilled trades labor shortages and supporting underrepresented workers into trade careers.
• Magnet: Toronto-based employment services organization helping equity-deserving groups (including Black, Indigenous, and newcomer communities) connect to employment. Comparable community-led model focused on employment outcomes for underrepresented populations.
• Pathways to Education: Canada-wide charity providing wraparound supports (academic, financial, social, mentoring) to help youth from low-income communities graduate high school and transition to post-secondary. Comparable wraparound service model for underrepresented populations transitioning to economic mobility.
• Skills Canada / Compétences Canada: National organization promoting skilled trades and technology careers, with programs reaching youth and underrepresented groups. Comparable mission of connecting diverse populations to skilled trades pathways and raising awareness of trade careers.
• NPower Canada: Canadian charity providing tech and digital skills training to youth and adults from underrepresented communities, with wraparound supports and employer partnerships leading to jobs. Comparable community-led, employer-connected employment pathway model (different industry).
• ACCES Employment: Ontario-based employment services organization helping immigrants and underrepresented groups find sustainable employment through wraparound supports, mentorship, and employer connections. Highly comparable employment pathway model for equity-deserving communities.
• Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA): National non-profit advancing apprenticeship in Canada through research, promotion, and stakeholder engagement. AEA supports apprenticeship registration as a core service and addresses barriers apprentices face — making this a directly comparable organization in the apprenticeship ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC): Major public post-secondary institution delivering skilled trades and technical programs across Nova Scotia, including the Metal Fabrication Diploma that AEA partners with. A broader incumbent in trade education that AEA complements rather than competes with directly.

Others

• Irving Shipbuilding Inc. AEA's flagship employer partner and Canada's National Shipbuilder. Not a peer organization, but a critical ecosystem stakeholder whose hiring needs drive AEA's Pathways to Shipbuilding program design and outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Africadian
• Facebookfacebook.com/AFRICADIAN.NS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-africadian-empowerment-academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Africadian Empowerment Academy