info @bbep.ca
ABOUT US
Building Black Entrepreneurs Program (BBEP) is administered by The Festival Management Committee (FMC). The FMC is the producer of the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival, the largest festival of its type in North America.
For years the FMC has been providing support, guidance and opportunities to small businesses. The FMC saw the opportunity to formalize a business advisory and education service through the Government of Canada Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Fund. As a successful recipient, the FMC established the BBEP designed to support community members in and around the Carnival or festival ecosystem in Ontario by providing business management education including financial literacy culminating in a Certificate of Completion awarded in partnership with George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology.
The Building Black Entrepreneurs Program mandate is to build the capacity of Black entrepreneurs in the arts, cultural, entertainment, and tourism related industries for them to pivot to compete in the broader marketplace. The curriculum-based training, which is tailored to the unique needs of the festival supplier base, is designed to address specific gaps, including digital adoption and IT practices, vendor management, business plan development and client relationship management. In so doing, the Program will also help businesses transition from the niche festival market to sustainable year-round viable businesses.
MEET THE TEAM
The BBEP has an exceptional team with expertise in business development and technology. We’re committed to solving complex business challenges using the latest technology and data resources combined with our creative and collaborative strategic approach.
Michelle Lochan
Managing Director
Anthony Berot
Technology Manager
Yvette Martin
Program Manager