Building Capital, Strategy, and Transnational Economic Power
The Black Women’s Enterprise Exchange (BWEE) is a premier Canadian community, research-informed, and networking platform dedicated to the economic advancement, leadership development, skills acquisition, and enterprise scaling of Black women, young women, and youth across Canada.
Our Mission
The Black Women’s Enterprise Exchange (BWEE) is a premier Canadian community, research-informed, and networking platform dedicated to the economic advancement, leadership development, skills acquisition, and enterprise scaling of Black women, young women, and youth across Canada.
BWEE equips Black women entrepreneurs, small business owners, young women, and students across Canada with actionable business intelligence, access to non-dilutive capital, strategic executive mentorship, practical vocational training, cutting-edge AI and digital skills, and cross-border networks. Grounded in anti-racist principles and dual-language (English–French) accessibility, we foster an early entrepreneurial mindset in youth, rapidly integrate newcomer and immigrant women into the Canadian economic system, drive policy reform through academic research, and build lasting financial independence across generations.
Co-founders
Research on Black women entrepreneurs, turned into collective economic power.
Co-founder of the Black Women’s Enterprise Exchange (BWEE), hosted at the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and Its Diaspora, York University.
Co-founder of the Black Women’s Enterprise Exchange (BWEE), hosted at the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and Its Diaspora, York University.
Core Pillars & Support Areas
Core pillars designed to move enterprises from survival to strategic growth.
Practical Vocational Trades & Youth Enterprise Pathways
Hands-on vocational skills acquisition, including hairstyling, makeup artistry, nail technology, catering, culinary arts, and service trades. Youth & Student Skill Acceleration: Tailored vocational bootcamps for young women and students to introduce enterprise concepts early, build practical craft mastery, and foster an independent entrepreneurial mindset before or alongside post-secondary education. Targeted workforce integration strategies derived from Toronto postdoctoral research to help newcomer women and young entrepreneurs establish licensed, high-revenue small businesses.
AI, Technology & Digital Enterprise Readiness
Practical training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, automation, digital marketing, e-commerce, and software for small business efficiency. Next-Gen Digital Skills: Equipping young women, students, and youth with AI skills and digital literacy to launch tech-enabled businesses, streamline operations, create content, and remain globally competitive in modern digital markets.
EDI, Anti-Racism & Intersectional Equity
Embedded structural advocacy and anti-racist frameworks across all programs. Tailored accessibility accommodations and targeted business incubation for Black women and youth with disabilities. Safe, inclusive, and affirmative spaces for Black LGBTQ+ small business owners, young entrepreneurs, and youth founders.
Events
Our inaugural launch and the gatherings ahead.
On August 25, 2026, BWEE officially introduced its vision during its global virtual launch event themed "From Survival to Strategy: Building, Scaling, and Sustaining Black Women-Owned Businesses". Hosted in partnership w...
Media Gallery
Highlights and recordings from our inaugural launch.
BWEE Global Virtual Launch
From Survival to Strategy: Building, Scaling, and Sustaining Black Women-Owned Businesses. The inaugural BWEE launch event, August 25, 2026.
Partners
Hosted in partnership with the Harriet Tubman Institute at York University and the School of Women in Leadership & Business.
BWEE relies on collective action, community collaboration, and strategic partnerships.
Join Us & Get Involved
BWEE relies on collective action, community collaboration, and strategic partnerships. We invite entrepreneurs, students, youth, institutions, and advocates to join our vision:
Join as a Member / Youth / Student
Register to access our upcoming vocational trades bootcamps, AI skill workshops, grant notices, and bilingual networking events.
Register Interest →Partner & Sponsor
Collaborate with BWEE to support our EDI, anti-racism, youth enterprise, newcomer integration, and vocational trades initiatives through corporate sponsorship, grant funding, or resource sharing.
Partnership Inquiries →Volunteer & Mentor
Share your expertise as an executive mentor, AI/tech facilitator, vocational trainer, or volunteer to help empower the next generation of Black women and youth leaders across Canada.
Volunteer With Us →Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about BWEE.
Who is BWEE for?
BWEE is for Black women entrepreneurs, small business owners, young women, students, scholars, professionals, emerging youth leaders, newcomers, and immigrant women across Canada. We are explicitly committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Anti-Racism. Our platform provides tailored structural support for Black women and youth with disabilities, and ensures full inclusion and advocacy for Black LGBTQ+ women and youth navigating the small business landscape.
How can I get involved?
You can join as a Member or Youth/Student to access upcoming vocational trades bootcamps, AI skill workshops, grant notices, and bilingual networking events. You can also Partner & Sponsor to support our EDI, anti-racism, youth enterprise, and vocational trades initiatives, or Volunteer & Mentor by sharing your expertise as an executive mentor, AI/tech facilitator, or vocational trainer.
Is BWEE bilingual?
Yes. BWEE maintains a strategic commitment to bilingual inclusion in English and French to eliminate linguistic isolation. We fully integrate Francophone Black women, youth, and students in Quebec and official language minority communities across Canada into our national business networks.
Have Questions or Inquiries?
Our co-founders welcome entrepreneurs, students, youth, institutions, and advocates.