Schulich Partners with Cultural Centre to Provide Business Program for Toronto’s Black Community
Two Toronto organizations are teaming up to teach business know-how and entrepreneurship skills to members of Toronto’s Black community.
The Schulich School of Business and A Different Booklist Cultural Centre (ADBCC) – The People’s Residence, a non-profit hub and destination that provides opportunities to experience the culture and history of Canadians of African and Caribbean ancestry, have together launched an “Introduction to Business” webinar series.
The eight-week business certificate program, which is free of charge, covers topics that range from marketing and accounting to leadership and human resources management and concludes with a session on how to develop a business plan. Each webinar is 75 minutes in length and includes a lecture from a Schulich professor, a discussion with a Black entrepreneur, and a Q&A session to conclude.
Guest entrepreneurs include Michael Jobity, Co-Founder of 2Unify; Akosua Asare (iBBA ’16), Founder and CEO of Essence Luxe Couture and a Schulich graduate; and Granville Mayers, Owner of Athletic Leaders.
The idea for the “Introduction to Business” program was conceived by Ashwin Joshi, Director of the MBA Program at Schulich. “We’re delighted to be able to partner with ADBCC to create community-based learning that will help people grow their businesses and turn ideas into new business ventures,” says Professor Joshi.
“This collaboration with Schulich brings community and academia together,” says Itah Sadu, Managing Director. “Innovation and change take place when academia is located in its very essence – the community.”
For the recent story about the business certificate program in The Toronto Star, please visit: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/10/13/york-university-business-school-and-a-different-booklist-team-up-to-offer-free-certificate-program-for-black-torontonians.html.