Ontario Association of Black Paralegals

What Ontario Association of Black Paralegals does

The Ontario Association of Black Paralegals (OABP) is a Toronto-based non-profit membership association founded in 2020 and operational since February 28, 2022, dedicated to supporting Black paralegals, law clerks, and students in Ontario while educating allied legal professionals. Its mission is to raise awareness and enable change to end systemic discrimination and increase racial diversity in the legal system through mentorship, professional development, advocacy, and allyship education.

The product portfolio centers on a tiered annual membership program (Paralegal licensed and non-licensed, Law Clerk, and Student) that bundles access to a mentorship program, CPD/PLEI continuing education modules, member-only resources and blog content, an online forum and groups, and events. OABP Productions operates as a sub-brand producing documentary-style video content such as "Judged Before the Judge" and "Representation Matters." The underlying technology is a Wix-hosted website platform delivering the membership portal, resource library, event listings, and forum; no proprietary technology, mobile apps, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

The business model is non-profit and volunteer-run. Revenue is generated from three streams: recurring annual membership subscriptions (described as minimal fees with specific pricing gated behind a Plans & Pricing page), donations collected via PayPal, and corporate partnership contributions. Distribution is single-geography (Ontario, Canada) and self-serve through the website, supported by an organic social presence on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. Strategic partners include the Law Society of Ontario, to which OABP refers prospective clients seeking paralegals. Leadership is currently under Interim President Chantelle A. Campbell, appointed March 1, 2024.

Name

Ontario Association of Black Paralegals

Legal name

Ontario Association of Black Paralegals

Website

https://oabp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Ontario Association of Black Paralegals is a Toronto-based non-profit membership association providing mentorship, continuing professional development, advocacy, and allyship education for Black paralegals, law clerks, and students in Ontario, funded by membership dues, donations, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Legal Association Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAALAB

Legal & Compliance (CLE, Paralegal CE)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

Keywords

• Professional association membership
• Legal mentorship programs
• Continuing professional development
• Diversity advocacy services
• Community legal support

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees from paralegals, law clerks, and students who join the organization. OABP describes membership dues as minimal annual fees that allow the organization to continue serving members and providing valuable benefits.
2. Donations and Corporate Partnerships: One-time or recurring donations from supporters and corporate partners. OABP accepts donations through PayPal and offers corporate partnership opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Ontario Association of Black Paralegals (OABP) is a non-profit membership association providing mentorship, continuing professional development (CPD/PLEI), networking, and advocacy resources to Black paralegals, law clerks, and law students in Ontario. It also educates non-Black legal professionals on systemic discrimination and allyship through events, forums, and video productions.

Product overview

The Ontario Association of Black Paralegals (OABP) operates as a membership-based professional organization offering a unified platform for career advancement and support. The core offerings include a Membership Program providing access to a mentorship program, CPD/PLEI professional development, events, and community resources including forums and blog content. OABP also produces educational video content under the OABP Productions sub-brand. The organization is structured as a non-profit volunteer-run association focused on supporting Black paralegals and law clerks in Ontario.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program Annual subscription-based membership program for Black paralegals (licensed and non-licensed), law clerks, and students in Ontario, providing access to mentorship, professional development, community forums, and networking opportunities.
• CPD/PLEI Continuing Education Continuing Professional Development and Professional Legal Education Institute offerings providing ongoing learning items that help members maintain and advance their paralegal and law clerk credentials.
• OABP Productions

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Law Society of OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOABP directs people seeking paralegals to the Law Society of Ontario's public resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal service, indicating a collaborative relationship in supporting access to legal representation.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Law Society of Ontario: The regulatory body for lawyers and paralegals in Ontario. Comparable as the institutional incumbent governing paralegal licensing, CPD requirements, and public referral — and an active partner of OABP.
• Canadian Bar Association: National professional association for the Canadian legal profession, including lawyers and (associate category) paralegals. Comparable as the dominant broad-incumbent legal membership body, against which identity-focused associations like OABP differentiate.
• Ontario Bar Association: The largest voluntary legal professional membership organization in Ontario, serving lawyers with CPD, networking, and advocacy. Comparable as a broad incumbent legal membership body against which OABP positions its niche focus.

Emerging players

• Black Legal Action Centre: Ontario-based legal clinic focused on advancing the legal rights of Black communities. Comparable in mission orientation toward racial justice in the legal system, though focused on direct legal services rather than professional membership.
• Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers: National organization supporting Asian Canadian legal professionals through mentorship, networking, and advocacy. Directly comparable in mission structure, demographic focus, and member-service model.
• Canadian Hispanic Bar Association: National association promoting Hispanic legal professionals in Canada. Directly comparable as another race/identity-focused legal professional membership organization with similar mentorship and advocacy mission.

Regional players

• National Bar Association: Predominantly US-based national association of Black lawyers, paralegals, and law students. Comparable in mission and member profile, but operates in a different geography — making it a relevant regional peer rather than a direct Canadian competitor.

Direct peers

• National Association of Black Accountants (NABA): US-based professional association supporting Black accounting and finance professionals. Directly comparable in mission (advancing a Black professional community), membership tiers, mentorship, and CPD-style programming in a different profession.
• Canadian Association of Paralegals: National professional association representing paralegals across Canada with membership, professional development, and advocacy. Comparable in core offerings but not race-specific, making it a direct functional peer in the paralegal membership category.
• Canadian Association of Black Lawyers: National voluntary bar association for Black lawyers in Canada. Directly comparable as a race-focused legal professional membership organization offering mentorship, advocacy, and community — but serving lawyers rather than paralegals.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/oabparalegals
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ontario-association-of-black-paralegals
• Instagraminstagram.com/oabparalegals

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Ontario Association of Black Paralegals