BTI Friday Meetup Session Recaps
March 22, 2024 Session
Thank you to Stefan Thomas, Keynote Speaker, Success Coach, and Education Consultant, for joining BTI to discuss fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion within organizations. During his session, he challenged the status quo by advocating for self-reflection over solely focusing on external solutions. Through his framework "ABC, Diversify Me," attendees confronted biases and learned how to drive meaningful change.
For anyone who has follow-up questions, please use Stefan Thomas’s contact information below:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-thomas-strive4success/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanthomas_
Website: https://stefanthomasinspires.my.canva.site/youthstudentspeaker
Feedback: talk.ac/stefanthomas | Enter code "TALK" to provide feedback.
April 5, 2024 Session
Thank you to Njeri Karanja She/Her, Founder and CEO at Celebrate Africa Tours, for joining BTI to discuss Celebrate Africa Tours' journey, vision alignment, and its innovative, decolonizing approach to sustainable African travel. During the session, Njeri emphasized her organization’s role in fighting global anti-Black racism and white supremacy. Additionally, through a case study, Njeri will showcased how the company implements these practices, demonstrating its commitment to responsible tourism.
For anyone who has follow-up questions, please use Njeri Karanja She/Her’s contact information below:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minniekaranja/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celebrateafricatours/
Website: www.celebrateafricatours.com
A story about Njeri’s entrepreneurial journey: https://issbc.org/blog/celebrating-heritage-and-entrepreneurship-njeris-inspiring-journey-in-canada/
BTI Friday Meetup Survey
We value your feedback! BTI would like to hear from you on how we can improve our community Friday Meetup sessions. Please take a moment to fill out the survey below and share your insights with us.
Sign Up for Future BTI Friday Meetups
*Please note our next Friday Meetup will be on April 12th, 2024, with guest speaker Tony Vibes.
We are looking forward to having you join us!
BTI Community Initiatives
The Leap Bootcamp
BusyQA in partnership with Ontario Ministry of Citizenship & Multiculturalism and industry partners have come together to provide a tuition-free Career Advancement Program inline with the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP) which works towards eliminating systemic, race-based disparities by increasing opportunities for Black youth across the province.
The Leap Bootcamp is a groundbreaking opportunity for Black individuals aged 18-34 years old in select Ontario regions to launch high-tech careers. The Leap Bootcamp aims to empower participants for success in the tech industry, fostering diversity and inclusion.
This seven-month program offers a Flex Bootcamp with weekend classes, weekday labs, and a three-month paid internship. Participants also benefit from a career workshop and networking events connecting them with industry leaders.
Eligibility Criteria:
A minimum of a High school diploma, GED or equivalent.
Black-identified individuals who legally reside in Toronto, London, Guelph, Peel and Waterloo Region in Ontario, Canada.
Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident or a person who has been granted refugee status in Canada and authorized to work full time in Canada.
Black-identified individuals between the age of 18-34 years old.
Consent to criminal background check.
Consent to learning aptitude and critical thinking assessment.
Don't worry you don't need any prior tech experience to do well on these tests or be successful in our program.
Meet learner pre-training income policy. (Individual income less than $45K).
Facing unemployment or under employed.
Must be willing to dedicate 15 to 20 hours a week in a rigorous technical flex bootcamp for 7 months.
Applications are now open for those ready to leap into a brighter future.
Virtual Black Health Townhall Recording
The Black Opportunity Fund recently hosted an insightful national Virtual Black Health Townhall – Session 1: Priorities for Black Health Services and Policies: Barriers, Issues, and Gaps, aimed at laying the groundwork for the development of a National Black Health Strategy and Policy.
Their panel of experts, including Senator Rosemary Moody, Dr. Bukola Salami [RN, MN, Ph.D.], Édouard Kouassi [BPharm, Ph.D.], Craig Wellington [CEO, BOF], Dr. Jude Mary Cénat, Ph.D., Dionne Sinclair, and Valérie Gazemar delved into essential topics such as:
Identifying and discussing major issues related to Black peoples’ health in Canada.
Exploring how policies and services can better respond to the health needs of Black people.
Gathering feedback from Black communities on how to address health inequities effectively.
This virtual town hall session has sparked crucial conversations about dismantling systemic barriers and ensuring equitable healthcare for Black Canadians.
The organizers express gratitude to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation @crrf_fcrr (CRRF) for its generous sponsorship of the BOF Black Health Townhall Series.
The recording is now available, providing a snapshot of pivotal issues and offering valuable insights into the Black community's health challenges.
Let's continue the conversation!
BTI Community Events
#IAmRemarkable
#IAmRemarkable is a global initiative that empowers individuals, with a particular focus on women and other underrepresented groups, to celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond.
In this FREE interactive session, participants will engage in group discussions and exercises to cultivate the confidence and skills necessary to promote themselves more effectively.
📆 Date: April 13th, 2024
🕰 Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
📍 Location: Zoom
Pride at Work Canada’s SPARK 2024
SPARK is a transformative half-day symposium that convenes Senior Executives, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leaders, and Talent Acquisition professionals for mutual learning, networking, and innovation.
This year's theme revolves around Elevating Talent Acquisition for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community. Recognizing the abundant creativity, innovation, and dynamic impact of Two-Spirit, queer, and trans communities in workplaces, SPARK seeks to address the tendency to overlook or undervalue employees and job seekers from these communities.
The symposium aims to dismantle barriers and spotlight the latent talent within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, both within workplaces and the job market.
Key Highlights include:
Inspiring Insights: Delve deeply into the talent acquisition process, exploring strategies for attraction, selection, and development.
Dynamic Discussions: Participate in vibrant keynote presentations and thought-provoking roundtable discussions led by motivated Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary leaders.
Strategic Networking: Cultivate purposeful connections to drive organizational change and establish inclusive workplaces where individuals of all genders, including Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary individuals, can thrive.
📆 Date: April 17th, 2024
🕰 Time: 1:30 PM - 7:00 PM EST
📍 Location: EY Tower 100 Adelaide St W – 40th Floor Toronto, ON M5H 0E2
Steps to Register:
Go to the event page: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/spark-2024-tickets-823891691227
Insert the code [BTI@SPARK] for a 30% discount and click apply
Select the ticket and fill out their information
A Black Entrepreneur's Journey Navigating Innovation Empowered by Tech
Step into greatness and claim a spot among the industry's elite!
No more settling for ordinary.
Join an electrifying LinkedIn LIVE event, "A Black Entrepreneur's Journey Navigating Innovation Empowered by Tech," where barriers are dismantled, paving the way for Black tech innovators to shine brighter than ever before.
This is a VIP pass to success!
Gain exclusive access to insider secrets and battle-tested strategies from seasoned entrepreneurs who've turned dreams into realities.
Is the audience ready to rewrite the rules and carve out their legacy in the tech world?
Secure seats now, and let's make history together!
Don't just dream it – achieve it!
📆 Date: April 17th, 2024
🕰 Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
📍 Location: LinkedIn
Chatter that Matters in the Workplace
The Inaugural Empower The Future event will convene post-secondary educators, Emerging Talent, and Professionals in the Advertising/Marketing Communication Industry. They will collectively explore areas of alignment and bridge communication gaps. With a specific emphasis on soliciting insights from multiple generations about effective strategies and pinpointing areas for improvement, the event aims to prepare all stakeholders better to mentor and influence the upcoming talent pool. Consequently, it strives to cultivate a healthier, more sustainable workforce capable of attracting, engaging, and retaining young professionals.
Don't miss this chance to participate in Chatter that Matters – organizers eagerly anticipate your presence!
📆 Date: May 7th, 2024
🕰 Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM EST
📍 Location: Great Hall at Hart House Building, Hart House Circle, 7 Hart House Circle Toronto, ON M5S 3H3
Upcoming Guest Speakers
April 12, 2024 - Tony Vibes, CEO, Sayve
April 19, 2024 - Annette Power, Founder and Principal, Pages For Good Health
April 26, 2024 - Shimeah Beyond, Entrepreneur