Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce

What Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce does

The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) is a federally incorporated, bilingual non-profit cultural chamber of commerce headquartered in North York, Toronto. Founded on August 21, 2018 and publicly launched on April 25, 2019, the CBCC operates as the national hub of the Canadian Black Business Ecosystem, serving Black entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals across Canada with advocacy, business education, mentorship, access to capital, and trade promotion. It addresses documented barriers including limited access to traditional funding, underbanked status, and persistent gaps in business and promotional skills in the Black business community.

The CBCC's service portfolio combines an online platform—Black Business Direct (blackbusinessdirect.ca), a nationwide free directory of Black-owned businesses presented by Uber Canada—with a network of six Innovation Hubs providing physical and virtual co-working space in strategic Canadian cities. Programs layered on top include the Elevate Black Business Project (Canadian government and FedDev Ontario funded), the Black Entrepreneur Program (delivered with Black Opportunity Fund and CIBC, offering non-repayable loans up to $2,000), the AVRO Business Accelerator, Propel Mastermind, Elevate Mentor Protégé, Personal Financial Literacy, and the Ethnic Food Incubator / #BlackFoodEnergy Entrepreneurship Accelerator (powered by DoorDash and Spring Activator, sponsored by Sobeys). Underlying technology is conventional: a WordPress-based marketing site, a directory platform, and a program registration portal. No proprietary AI, ML, or data products are documented.

The organization is funded through a mix of membership fees, tax-deductible donations ($100–$10,000 tiers), corporate sponsorships (Uber Canada, Sobeys, CIBC, BDC, DoorDash, Spring Activator), and government grants (Government of Canada, FedDev Ontario). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; programs are described as free for participants. The CBCC is governed by an independent Board of Directors, with Michael Forrest as Founder, Christelle Francois as President, and Audrey Parkes as Board Chair and Secretary. A Multi-Year Strategic Plan 2024–2029 was unveiled at the AGM on April 18, 2024 to guide the next phase of national expansion.

Name

Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://blackchamber.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit national chamber of commerce serving Black entrepreneurs and business owners across Canada with advocacy, business education, mentorship, funding access, and a nationwide Black Business Direct directory supported by six regional Innovation Hubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chamber of Commerce / Business Association Services

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Business Networking Communities (MPACAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers (EDAHAHAH), Social Commerce & Marketplace Communities (MPACAJAJ)

Keywords

• Chamber of commerce
• Business networking
• Business directory
• Entrepreneurship programs
• Financial literacy training

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees provide access to networking events, educational workshops, advocacy initiatives, business development opportunities, and member discount programs. Membership is described as tax-deductible.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations to support Black businesses, with donation options of $100, $500, $1000, and $10,000. Donations are described as tax-deductible and go directly to supporting Black business community.
3. Government Funding and Program Grants: Funded by the Government of Canada and FedDev Ontario for specific programs like the Elevate Black Business Project. The organization also receives support through the Black Entrepreneurship Program.
4. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Partnerships with companies like Uber Canada, Sobeys, CIBC, Black Opportunity Fund provide program funding, sponsorships, and in-kind support for various chamber initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce operates as the national hub of the Canadian Black Business Ecosystem, providing advocacy, membership benefits, an online business directory (Black Business Direct), and a portfolio of entrepreneurship programs including accelerators, mentorship, financial literacy, and innovation hubs. Its mission is to connect Black businesses in Canada to the global Black diaspora and mainstream markets, and to drive economic development within Black communities through education, capital access, and cultural exchange.

Product overview

The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce operates as a platform-plus-programs organization serving as the national hub of the Black business ecosystem. The core platform includes Black Business Direct, a nationwide online business directory for Black-owned businesses, and the CBCC Innovation Hub network providing physical and virtual co-working spaces. These are complemented by an array of educational and support programs including the AVRO Business Accelerator, Propel Mastermind, Elevate Mentor Protégé, Personal Financial Literacy, and Black Entrepreneur Programs. The #BlackFoodEnergy Entrepreneurship Accelerator (including the Ethnic Food Incubator) extends services specifically to food entrepreneurs. Together, these offerings provide Black Canadian entrepreneurs with directory access, workspace, mentorship, business education, and funding support to drive economic development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Propel Mastermind Program: An advanced program providing access to procurement, trade, and international markets. Focuses on all 20 focus areas of every business, with the goal of getting firms to their first $100,000 in revenues.
• Elevate Mentor Protégé Program
• Personal Financial Literacy Program
• Elevate Black Business
• Black Business Direct
• AVRO Business Accelerator
• Ethnic Food Incubator
• CBCC Innovation Hub

Products and services

• Black Business Direct A nationwide online business directory for Black-owned businesses in Canada, presented by Uber Canada. Free for Black entrepreneurs to list, with business search and review functionality, allowing consumers to find and support local Black businesses coast to coast to coast.
• CBCC Membership Annual membership program offering networking events, educational workshops, advocacy initiatives, business development opportunities, and member discount programs for entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses committed to the Black business community in Canada. Tax-deductible.
• Elevate Black Business Program Government-of-Canada-funded program providing free business education, coaching, mentorship, business plan writing, pitch deck support, and wrap-around support to Black entrepreneurs across Canada in both English and French.
• AVRO Business Accelerator Program Comprehensive business accelerator focusing on the 20 focus areas of every business, concentrating on the top 12 including the nine areas of the Business Model Canvas approach. Includes business plan writing, pitch deck preparation, and access to Growth software tools for forecasting and tracking outcomes.
• Propel Mastermind Program Advanced business program providing an extensive network of prospects, access to procurement, trade, and international markets. Covers all 20 focus areas of every business with the goal of helping firms reach their first $100,000 in revenues.
• Elevate Mentor Protégé Program Mentorship program for business owners with minimum $100K in revenues, focused on firms in cleantech, STEM, or high-growth potential industries. Aimed at helping firms reach their first $1 million in revenues. Requires 5+ years of business experience and completion of the Propel Mastermind program.
• Personal Financial Literacy Program Program providing understanding of key components of personal credit, credit score management, personal budgeting, retirement planning, insurance protection, debt payment management, and personal investing resources.
• Black Entrepreneur Program Program providing business education, financial literacy, skills training and support for Canadian Black entrepreneurs unable to access traditional funding, delivered in partnership with the Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) with financial support from CIBC. Upon completion, eligible for a non-repayable loan of up to $2,000.
• #BlackFoodEnergy Entrepreneurship Accelerator (Ethnic Food Incubator) 12-week food entrepreneurship accelerator powered by DoorDash and Spring Activator and sponsored by Sobeys, designed to help Black food entrepreneurs operate viable food businesses through industry knowledge, food delivery opportunities, funding access, community building, and retail readiness.
• Business Plan Writing Program Program teaching critical components of business plan construction including narrative and financial sections, how banks and lending institutions evaluate business plans, and how to pitch effectively. Provides access to Growth software for execution.
• CBCC Innovation Hubs Network of open-source physical and virtual co-working spaces in strategic Canadian cities providing capacity-building incubators and resource accessibility for Black Canadian entrepreneurs. Each Hub offers co-working accommodations, the Elevate Black Business Project (EBBP) services, and access to a network of diverse Business Advisors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Non-repayable loans of up to $2,000 available to program completers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Uber CanadaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 October 2021Flagship partnership for Black Business Direct, a nationwide online business directory for Black-owned businesses in Canada. Uber Canada sponsors the directory which is presented by Uber. Partnership includes delivery fee waivers and $500 gift cards for Black-owned restaurants and SMEs. The directory launched nationally in October 2021 with over 200 businesses at launch.
• Spring ActivatorcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 19 October 2020Spring Activator manages and delivers the Ethnic Food Incubator program. Has helped over 750 entrepreneurs create 350 businesses and raise more than $24 million through its impact programs. Provides incubator, accelerator, and consulting services.
• Elevate FestivalminorMarketing Partner · 11 September 2019CBCC was named Official Community Partner of the Elevate Tech Festival 2019, Canada's largest technology and innovation conference. Members received 20% discount on general festival passes. Michelle Obama was a featured speaker at the festival.
• SobeyscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSobeys is the platinum sponsor of the Ethnic Food Incubator, the first of its kind in Canada. The incubator prepares Black food entrepreneurs to establish their brands in the retail sector through a 12-week program managed by Spring Activator.
• Black North InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner organization working toward Black business advancement and economic inclusion in Canada.
• DoorDashcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDoorDash powers the #BlackFoodEnergy Entrepreneurship Accelerator in partnership with Spring Activator. Designed to help Black food entrepreneurs with industry knowledge, food delivery access, funding opportunities, community building and retailing.
• CEO Global NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a supporting partner for CBCC events and programming, providing expertise and network access.
• 1st Friday'sminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a partner organization, likely involved in collaborative programming or networking initiatives.
• Canadian Council of RetailersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Ethnic Food Incubator program, supporting the initiative to advance Black entrepreneurs in the food and beverage retail sector.
• Uber EatsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in the Ethnic Food Incubator program, supporting food delivery and retail opportunities for Black food entrepreneurs.
• York UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the Ethnic Food Incubator program, contributing educational resources and institutional support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Black Business Professional Association: Canadian organization dedicated to supporting Black professionals and businesses. Both BBPA and CBCC serve the Canadian Black business community and were both represented at CBCC's 2019 launch, making them natural peer organizations serving overlapping constituencies.
• U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. National chamber of commerce for Black-owned businesses in the United States. Operates a similar advocacy and business support model targeting Black entrepreneurs, providing direct international precedent for CBCC's national chamber positioning.
• National Black Chamber of Commerce: One of the largest Black business chambers in the United States, providing advocacy, resources, and networking for African American businesses. Closely comparable mission and structure to CBCC's mandate as the national voice of Black Canadian businesses.
• Afro Caribbean Business Network: Canadian organization supporting Afro-Caribbean entrepreneurs and businesses. Was represented at CBCC's inaugural launch and serves a culturally adjacent community with similar business development and networking programs.
• Black Opportunity Fund: Canadian charitable organization funding Black-led institutions and entrepreneurs. Direct financial partner of CBCC through the Black Entrepreneurship Program offering non-repayable loans, making it a peer-and-partner in the same ecosystem.
• BlackNorth Initiative: Canadian initiative focused on anti-Black racism and Black economic inclusion. Listed as a partner organization of CBCC and addresses overlapping systemic issues affecting Black businesses and communities in Canada.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Canada's largest mainstream business association representing hundreds of thousands of Canadian businesses. Operates as a broad incumbent in the chamber-of-commerce space, of which CBCC is a culturally-focused counterpart.
• BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada): Canada's bank for entrepreneurs, providing financing and advisory services. Partnered with CBCC on the Building Black Businesses in Canada study and provides mainstream financial support to Black entrepreneurs through CBCC's ecosystem.

Others

• Spring Activator: Canadian impact accelerator managing CBCC's Ethnic Food Incubator program. Operates in the same entrepreneurship-support ecosystem, having helped over 750 entrepreneurs create 350 businesses and raise more than $24 million.

Regional players

• Jamaican-Canadian Association: Toronto-based Jamaican-Canadian community organization. Was represented at CBCC's inaugural launch and serves the Black diaspora community in Canada with cultural and business programming overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CanadianBlackChamber
• Facebookfacebook.com/CanadianBlackChamber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canadian-black-chamber
• Instagraminstagram.com/CanadianBlackChamber

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce