Research-Informed. Community-Empowered.
Connecting Black women entrepreneurs, researchers, and enterprise leaders across Canada, Africa, and the global diaspora.
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.
BWEE is a living collaborative ecosystem that directly addresses systemic barriers, fosters inclusive wealth creation, and translates top-tier academic scholarship into scalable, practical support for Black women-led ventures.
Intersectional EDI & Structural Advocacy
Embedded Anti-Racism Framework
Advocacy is structurally embedded into every BWEE program, research paper, and partnership. We confront racial wealth disparities and financial bias through evidence-based policy submissions and institutional accountability.
Intersectional Accessibility & Inclusion
Tailored accessibility accommodations for Black women and youth entrepreneurs with disabilities, alongside explicitly safe, inclusive, and affirmative spaces for Black LGBTQ+ founders and small business owners.
Dual-Language (English, French) Inclusion
Ending linguistic isolation by fully integrating Francophone Black women and youth in Quebec, official language minority communities across Canada, and French-speaking African nations into national and global business networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What kind of events does BWEE host?
We host virtual and in-person summits, vocational bootcamps, AI and digital skills workshops, grant navigation clinics, bilingual networking events, research panels, and mentorship forums, all designed to build knowledge, connection, and economic opportunity for Black women, young women, and youth in business.
How is BWEE funded?
BWEE operates as a pilot program with support from institutional partners, sponsorships, and grants. We welcome new partners who share our vision for economic equity.