The BFUTR 2024 Global Tech Summit is back and promises to be bigger and more impactful than ever. For tech enthusiasts, industry professionals, and companies eager to explore the latest advancements, this year’s BFUTR is the event to watch. This article breaks down what makes BFUTR stand out, from its lineup of sessions and workshops to the unique networking opportunities that await attendees.

What is the BFUTR 2024 Global Tech Summit?

BFUTR, organized by the Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN), has grown into North America’s largest gathering of Black tech professionals. Its mission? To connect Black talent with global companies while offering a platform for networking, growth, and career development. Obsidi®—the powerhouse platform for Black professionals in tech—is the driving force behind BFUTR. This year, in partnership with Visit Mississauga, Obsidi® is bringing BFUTR to The International Centre in Mississauga on November 6-7, celebrating diversity, tech innovation, and economic growth.

Why BFUTR 2024 is a Must-Attend Event

For Black tech professionals and allies, BFUTR offers an unparalleled experience focused on career growth and access to opportunities. With over 15,000 attendees, 1,200 tech leaders, 100+ speakers, and 40+ partners, BFUTR’s agenda is packed with sessions, immersive experiences, and exclusive networking events. Here’s why BFUTR 2024 is essential for anyone serious about tech and inclusivity:

1. Professional Growth: BFUTR’s programming is designed to help attendees reach new heights in their careers through interactive workshops, panels, and mentorship sessions.
2. Diverse Perspectives: This event brings together people from different backgrounds, showcasing the invaluable contributions of Black professionals to tech.
3. Networking and Recruitment: The summit offers direct access to recruiters from top tech firms, making it a great opportunity for those looking to advance their careers.

Key Themes and Topics at BFUTR 2024

The BFUTR 2024 Global Tech Summit will cover a range of timely topics, exploring the latest developments and future trends in the tech world:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: Sessions will focus on how AI and machine learning are reshaping industries, from automation to predictive analytics. Attendees will learn how companies are adopting these technologies to gain a competitive edge.
• Cybersecurity in a Digital Age: With cybersecurity challenges on the rise, BFUTR will host workshops on keeping businesses and individuals secure in an increasingly digital world.
• Blockchain and Cryptocurrency: Experts will explore blockchain’s impact on digital currency, finance, and data security, providing insights into how it’s changing tech landscapes.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): BFUTR is built around the principle of inclusivity in tech. This year’s sessions will highlight the positive impact of diversity in tech spaces, focusing on actionable ways to promote equity and break down barriers.

Noteworthy Speakers and Special Events

BFUTR 2024 promises a stellar lineup of speakers, including high-profile leaders like Ja Rule, multi-platinum hip-hop legend, and prominent executives such as Dr. Denise Turley of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Jason Harvey, EVP of BET. Keynote speeches and interactive panels will provide insights into tech’s evolving landscape.

Highlights Include:

• Keynote Speeches: Hear from influential voices shaping tech, innovation, and diversity.
• Panels and Workshops: Engage in discussions covering everything from coding to digital marketing, offering hands-on experiences for attendees.
• Networking Lounges: Connect with industry leaders and peers in designated networking spaces, designed to foster meaningful conversations.
• Obsidi Recruit® and Mobile App: Discover Obsidi Recruit®—a specialized job board and networking tool—helping Black professionals navigate career opportunities.

Mississauga’s Partnership with BFUTR

This year, Visit Mississauga is thrilled to host the BFUTR 2024 Global Tech Summit, underscoring the city’s dedication to promoting diversity and local economic development. By attracting thousands of visitors, BFUTR not only boosts the local economy but also highlights Mississauga’s position as a dynamic hub for tech and multiculturalism.

Get Ready to Experience BFUTR 2024

Here are some quick tips for first-time attendees to make the most out of BFUTR 2024:

• Plan Ahead: With a packed schedule, prioritize sessions that align with your interests.
• Set Networking Goals: Whether it’s meeting potential employers or learning about a new field, set networking goals to make the most of your experience.
• Engage with Speakers: Use Q&A sessions and social media to connect with speakers for additional insights.
• Follow Up Post-Event: After BFUTR, continue the conversations and connections you’ve made by reaching out on LinkedIn and other platforms.

Final Thoughts

The BFUTR 2024 Global Tech Summit is more than an event—it’s a movement toward a more inclusive tech industry. For professionals passionate about diversity and innovation, BFUTR is the ultimate destination for learning, growth, and empowerment. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative experience that’s shaping the future of tech.

Stay updated on BFUTR 2024 with Black Wall Street Canada and immerse yourself in this movement for tech excellence and inclusivity.

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The Rise Up Womens+ Pitch Competition, co-founded by the Black Business and Professional Association, The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), Diversity Institute, and Casa Foundation with support from the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Loblaw Companies Limited, Hydro One, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), The Globe and Mail, and City of Brampton is now open for applications!

If you want to win $10,000 in funding for your business and take your business idea to the next level then seize this opportunity to showcase your vision, connect with industry experts, and propel your entrepreneurial journey forward! Apply now to participate!

Application submissions are due April 21, 2024, @ 11:59 PM EST.

#RiseUpWomen #BlackWomenEntrepreneurs #BlackFemaleFounders #PitchCompetition #Entrepreneurship

Follow On Instagram:

@wekh_pcfe @torontomet @casafound @rbc @loblawco @hydrooneofficial @bdc_ca @globeandmail @citybrampton

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About Gina Ma Brands 

Gina Ma Brands, led by visionary Gina Martial-Clarke, is driven by over two decades of experience in film, television, and media. Her areas of specialty include Brand Development, Brand Management, Brand Collaborations, Corporate Partnerships, and Media Production. With a commitment to inclusivity and creativity, Gina Ma Brands introduces The Gina Lumina Collection, a stunning jewelry line that embodies innovation and excellence. Alongside, Dirty Girls Inc. presents a bold alcohol brand, catering to a diverse audience with ready-to-drink martinis. Beyond her businesses, Gina Ma Brands also works with corporate and creative clients across the entertainment, music, financial, and technology sectors. Through these ventures, Gina Ma Brands continues to push boundaries, fostering diversity and creativity in media and entertainment. For more information, visit https://www.ginamabrands.com/

About the Glo Up Program 

This innovative program allows post-secondary students to gain hands-on high-level experiences within the media, creative arts, and entertainment industries. Led by visionary Gina Martial-Clarke, participants collaborate with industry leaders on real-life projects, from music video sets to celebrity events and brand launches. This immersive program fosters creativity, networking, and skill-building across various disciplines. Top students from leading colleges and universities, including Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, University of Toronto, Centennial College, Sheridan College, Fanshawe College, and many more have already been accepted into this dynamic initiative, shaping the future of media innovation. For more information, visit https://gloupprogram.com/

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Scarborough, Ontario  — Introducing Cassandra Campbell Beauty + SKYN FACTORY, the latest addition to Scarborough’s beauty scene. Led by Cassandra Campbell, an award-winning makeup artist and master esthetician with over a decade of expertise, the studio redefines beauty with a personalized touch. Standout offerings at SKYN FACTORY are the innovative 7-minute brazilian and Coochie Care- a facial designed exclusively for the intimate area. It is more than a beauty treatment; it’s a transformative experience that reshapes the way clients think about self-care for their most delicate region.
Campbell shares her inspiration for opening the studio:

“I’ve always had a deep love for beauty, and my journey in the industry has been incredibly fulfilling. I wanted to create a space where I could share that love, not just through services but through education. It’s about more than just looking good; it’s about feeling confident in your skin. I believe in the power of a great environment to uplift and empower, and that’s what Cassandra Campbell Beauty + SKYN FACTORY is all about.”

Key Services at Cassandra Campbell Beauty + SKYN FACTORY:

1. Skin-focused makeup artistry for weddings, photoshoots, and special events.
2. One-on-one and intimate-group makeup lessons.
3. Master esthetic services, specializing in precision brow design and speed waxing.
4. Revolutionary 7-minute brazilian and Coochie Care- a customized facial for the intimate area.

Cassandra Campbell Beauty + SKYN FACTORY goes beyond being a conventional beauty studio; it’s an embodiment of Campbell’s vision to empower clients through education, deliver personalized services, and cultivate an environment that nurtures confidence in one’s skin. To experience the personalized beauty services at Cassandra Campbell Beauty + SKYNFACTORY, please contact:

Cassandra Campbell
Chief Beauty Architect
Cassandra Campbell Beauty + SKYN FACTORY
Visit Website at www.cassandracampbellbeauty.com

Credit: Sasha Stoltz Publicity

Your Source For Canadian News – BlackWallStreet.ca

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Ola Sanusi, the visionary behind the Nigerian Entrepreneurs Summer Hangout (NESH), initially launched the initiative on WhatsApp in 2020. In its inaugural year in 2021, the NESH event featured just eight vendors. However, this past Saturday witnessed an impressive growth, with more than 60 vendors participating in the showcase at Kiwanis Park in Regina.

The diverse array of vendors offered a variety of products, ranging from clothing and food to jewelry and beauty items.

Sanusi, who relocated from Nigeria to Canada in 2019, is the founder of Entrepreneurs and More, the non-profit organization hosting the event. Despite its Nigerian-centric name, NESH is an inclusive platform that welcomes Black entrepreneurs from various backgrounds, including African countries and the Caribbean, providing them with opportunities to network and showcase their products.

Expressing her broad vision, Sanusi remarked, “We have to do more. I don’t want to restrict myself to Nigerians; I want to go beyond that, and that’s why I’m extending myself to Black entrepreneurs. I’m very happy. My vision is coming to reality.” As someone dedicated to supporting others, Sanusi looks forward to further expanding the event in the coming years.

For young Black entrepreneurs like Shalom Okegeo, the representation offered by NESH holds significant importance. Okegeo, who runs an Italian fashion stall with her father Daniel, emphasized the value of representing her Italian-born, ethnic-Nigerian background.

“It’s important to represent your culture and keep it going,” she stated. Inspired by the popularity of Italian brands among the business class in Nigeria, Okegeo sells Italian shoes, bags, and more.

Surrounded by fellow entrepreneurs at NESH, Okegeo is motivated by the entrepreneurial spirit she witnesses. Despite being a teenager, she has plans to take over the family business one day.”

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Although the number of Black-owned enterprises in Canada is increasing, they still constitute a small fraction of the country’s business landscape, generally smaller and less profitable than their counterparts. These findings emerge from a recent Statistics Canada study examining entrepreneurship among Black Canadians from 2001 to 2018.

The study, drawing on various reports, including census data spanning 2001 to 2016, the 2011 National Household Survey, and the 2018 Employer-Employee Dynamics Database, analyzed how the status of Black entrepreneurs evolved over nearly two decades. In 2018, there were approximately 66,880 Black-owned businesses in Canada, representing about 2.1% of the overall 3.1 million businesses.

While the census data indicates that 4.3% of Canadians identify as Black, Black-owned businesses face unique challenges. The majority, around 74%, are owned by men, and the self-employment rate increased from 1.8% at the study’s onset to 3.5% in 2018. However, the growth in self-employment was more pronounced among Black men compared to Black women.

Despite the growth of Black-owned businesses, the data suggests they are not maximizing their potential, being smaller and less profitable. Over 95% of unincorporated Black-owned businesses in Canada have fewer than one employee, and even among those considering incorporation, more than 91% have fewer than five employees.

The study also reveals earnings disparities. On average, Black male business owners earned $56,100, $9,500 less than their counterparts from other racialized groups and $43,300 less than the average white male business owner in 2018. Black women business owners earned the same as other racialized groups but $16,000 less than white women.

Black-owned businesses face challenges in profitability, with an average profit margin of 8.5%, compared to 14.9% for white-owned firms. While the study refrains from attributing this discrepancy solely to systemic disadvantages, it underscores the need for exploration.

Funding Challenges Carlton-James Osakwe, a business professor at Mount Royal University, points out systemic challenges hindering Black-owned businesses from realizing their full potential. Obtaining bank loans is particularly challenging, and Osakwe suggests that exploring the reasons behind this difficulty is essential.

In response to these challenges, the federal government established the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund in 2021, a $265-million commitment to provide entrepreneurs with loans of up to $250,000. While Osakwe acknowledges the positive steps taken, he emphasizes that funding remains a significant hurdle for many Black-owned businesses.

Beyond traditional funding sources like bank loans and government grants, Osakwe highlights the importance of “dealmakers” for small businesses. However, he notes that these dealmakers often come from predominantly white networks, limiting access for Black entrepreneurs.

Potential Solutions Lola Adeyemi, a successful entrepreneur, overcame these hurdles to establish her dream business, It’s Souper, a soup company. Adeyemi suggests that while programs like the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund are steps in the right direction, funding remains a critical challenge for many Black entrepreneurs.

Adeyemi emphasizes the importance of expanding beyond the Black community to access mentorship and support networks. She points out that the lack of visible success stories can be a significant barrier, and encourages Black entrepreneurs to seek guidance from diverse communities.

Sydonne Warren, an artist and muralist, shares her experience of building relationships that have been mutually beneficial for her business and others. She highlights the need for education on running successful businesses within the Black community, advocating for increased awareness and support to bridge existing gaps.

In summary, the study underscores the unique challenges faced by Black-owned businesses in Canada, particularly regarding funding and access to supportive networks. Initiatives like the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund and efforts to broaden mentorship opportunities are positive steps, but further exploration and action are needed to address the systemic barriers hindering the full potential of Black entrepreneurs.

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While the sale of LMIAs (Labour Market Impact Assessment) by Canadian employers is not a new practice, it has become a last resort for temporary residents seeking to extend their stay or gain additional points for Canadian permanent residency. The LMIA process allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers if they can demonstrate their inability to fill a specific job position with a Canadian permanent resident or citizen despite their best efforts.

Contrary to official government regulations, some employers are illicitly selling LMIAs for exorbitant amounts, reaching up to $40,000. In some cases, these employers don’t even provide actual jobs but instead offer LMIAs to temporary workers to obtain an LMIA-specific work permit from the Canadian immigration department. Permanent Residency Supporting LMIAs are also being misused to secure extra points for Canadian permanent residency.

The black market for LMIA employs various shady tactics, including the fabrication of fraudulent job offers to meet LMIA standards rather than fill actual positions. Additionally, some businesses exploit foreign workers by underpaying them, often through mutual verbal agreements that workers reluctantly accept to extend their work permits.

The black market also involves unregulated immigration consultants who exploit vulnerable individuals by demanding high fees for assistance with LMIA applications. LMIA brokering, where brokers act as intermediaries between employers and foreign employees for a fee, is another unethical practice. The Live-in Caregiver Program is also being misused by some individuals to exploit career opportunities in Canada.

The repercussions of the LMIA black market are far-reaching, including the exploitation of vulnerable foreign workers, undermining the integrity of the Canadian labor market, loss of tax revenue due to unreported profits, damage to Canada’s reputation as a just nation, and diminished trust in immigration processes.

Despite Canada’s progressive immigration policy and a robust economy attracting immigrants, the existence of the LMIA black market poses significant challenges, tarnishing the country’s image and eroding trust in its immigration system.

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Online spending on Black Friday reached a record $9.8 billion, a 7.5% increase from the previous year, as reported by Adobe Analytics. In-person sales, measured by shopper visits, rose 4.6%, a rate almost double the average foot traffic increase seen throughout the year, according to Sensormatic Solutions.

Anticipation for Cyber Monday is high, with projected spending ranging from $12 billion to $12.4 billion, making it potentially the largest online shopping day ever recorded, according to Adobe Analytics.

While a notable reduction in inflation has provided some respite, consumers face challenges such as dwindling pandemic-era savings and increased borrowing costs for credit cards and mortgages.

Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics, expressed optimism about the holiday season, citing strong Black Friday sales. Key indicators, including a low unemployment rate, wage growth surpassing inflation, and resilient savings for upper- and middle-income households, contribute to a positive outlook.

Recent economic data, such as a 4.9% annualized growth in the U.S. economy for the three months ending in September, suggests continued prosperity. Zandi believes that Black Friday sales data indicates favorable conditions for consumers throughout the year.

However, potential risks persist, particularly in escalating credit card debt, which reached a record high in the third quarter of 2023, according to a Federal Reserve report. Rising borrowing costs, attributed to Federal Reserve interest rate hikes, have contributed to this trend.

Simeon Siegel, a retail analyst at BMO Financial Group, acknowledged concerns about growing debt and increased borrowing costs but noted that Black Friday sales dispelled fears of a severe impact on consumer spending.

While cautioning against overoptimism, Siegel highlighted the imperfection of using Black Friday sales as a sole indicator of consumer health, as holiday spending patterns may not accurately reflect individuals’ financial well-being.

“The holidays have gotten off to a good start,” Siegel said. “What you and I can see from revenues is what people spent. But what we can’t see is what they have in their bank accounts.”

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In recent news, a total of 24 nations are seeking to create a strategic alliance that would challenge the US dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency. The group of five economically-aligned countries known as BRICS is reportedly on the verge of a massive expansion, thus possibly causing a shift in global economic power.

BRICS: The Core Collective

The core collective of BRICS consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. If the other nations interested in joining the alliance are successful, the total number of nations would increase to 24.

According to South Africa’s BRICS ambassador, Anil Sooklal, many nations are interested in joining the alliance. Thirteen countries have formally requested to join, and an additional six countries have informally expressed interest in becoming part of the alliance.

Newcomers to BRICS

The list of nations interested in joining BRICS includes Saudi Arabia, Iran, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Egypt, Bahrain, Indonesia, two unnamed nations from East Africa, and one from West Africa.

The Future of BRICS

BRICS was established in 2006, but South Africa didn’t join until 2010. The group is in the early stages of developing a new global currency that would circumvent the US dollar. According to the Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik, the new fiat currency will likely be backed by other assets, including precious metals like gold.

Russian State Duma Deputy Chairman Alexander Babakov suggests that additional details about the new currency will emerge by the summer. The next BRICS summit is scheduled to take place in South Africa in late August.

The potential expansion of BRICS and the development of a new global currency could have significant implications for the global economy. It remains to be seen how successful the alliance will be in challenging the US dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency, but the world will undoubtedly be watching.

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The two-day hybrid event is open to all Black families in the GTA and will feature body-feeding pods for lactating parents, an interactive all-ages kids zone, a quiet room for neurodiverse parents and children, and full access to one of the first interactive science museums in the world.

A series of talks and workshops led by experts that cover a range of subjects related to financial literacy and well-being, such as budgeting, saving, investing, and future planning will be featured in the event.

Don’t pass up this wonderful opportunity to educate your family about money management and well-being!

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