Black to Business
1
Message from the Board of Directors
Message from the Board
1
Message from the Chief Executive Officer
2
COVER STORY Adams Photography Services
3
Palooka’s Boxing Club
5
Trailblazers Young Athletes
7
Partnership To Develop Michelin’s African Nova Scotian Workforce
8
2 Colored Guys Fashions and Silk Screening
9
Cassandra Dorrington, Chair, Black Business Initiative Paul Adams
In this Issue
Our Future is Now
Caribbean Development Bank Youth in Business
11
Nova Scotia Black Cultural Project
12
The American Election African-Nova Scotians Weigh In
13
Obama’s victory has great impact on Black Canadians 16 BBI Directory Launch and Christmas Social
17
ASK THE BBI
19
Sowing a few good seeds Halifax kids earn kudos for work on community garden project
20
PEOPLE & BUSINESS on the Move 21 BBI 2009 Training Schedule
23
J. Marsman Safety Service
24
BBI STATISTICS 2007-08
25
Business & Community Events
26
Regional Reports Southern Business Development
10
6
Central
12
Northern
23
Regional Business Development Manager Regional Visit Schedule 25
Mailed under Canada Post Publications Mail Sales Agreement no. 0040026687
Winter 2009
R
ecently the United States and the world underwent an historic happening. The United States elected its first African-American president. While we continue to talk about this event and celebrate its impact on the American people, Canada and the rest of the world, we also marvel that 40 years after the civil rights movement, the African-American people are able to see one of their own aspire and achieve the highest office of the land, that of President.
This monumental event will have an impact on Canadians and in particular will affect us as persons of African descent living in Canada. While Canada has always enjoyed good relations with its neighbour to the south, with each new president there is a time of renewal, and in some cases establishing new relationships. Black to Business is the official periodical of The Black Business Initiative and is published quarterly spring, summer, fall, and winter. Its goal is to support the BBI as it fosters a dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia Business Community.
For Advertising Information, Rates, Submitting Stories, Notices or Community Events, or for More Information, call: 902-426-2224
The U.S. has experienced a number of severe setbacks in recent years that span the worst financial downturn the country has seen since the Thirties, the collapse of the North American automotive industry and the country’s involvement in two major wars. As in most situations, while times look bad, in the current situation, there are winners and losers. While Corporate America has taken a hit, there is potential for the non-mainstream society to make some inroads in key areas. We see similar conditions in Canada. While Corporate Canada has suffered a few hits as a result of its alignment with the U.S., the small entrepreneur while having fewer resources to invest has taken far less of a hit. As a marginalized group of people, we are more accustomed to risk and tend to thrive in uncertain times. This is particularly evident to me, having recently attended the NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council) awards in Las Vegas. The award winners while excelling at the technical aspect of running their business also contributed substantially to the economy, with revenue figures running from $250,000 to billions of dollars. And remember these results were accomplished in a year when the U.S. was entering its downturn in the market. I am optimistic that the Black Business Initiative (BBI) and its clients are in an optimum position to weather the storm. We have been judicious in ensuring ongoing fiscal responsibility across the organization. continued on page 6> The Black Business Initiative 1575 Brunswick Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2G1 Phone: 902-426-2224 Fax: 902-426-6530 Toll Free: 1-800-668-1010 E-Mail: bbi@bbi.ns.ca Web Site: www.bbi.ns.ca Published by: the Black Business Initiative Editor in Chief: Rustum Southwell Design & Layout: Design North Production by: Mirabliss Media Productions Cover Photograph: Paul Adams Jr.