For Immediate Release:
May 5, 2025, Toronto, ON
WBE Canada and The Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society (BEBC Society) are excited to announce a new strategic partnership aimed at expanding access to procurement opportunities for Black and all women-owned businesses across Canada.
As Canadian businesses face growing challenges as a result of ever-increasing economic volatility, now is the time for WBE Canada to strategically align and work together with like-minded organizations such as The Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society to bridge systemic gaps in supplier diversity and ensure that all women entrepreneurs are not just included but prioritized for equitable procurement. BEBC Society and WBE Canada will work together to certify more women-owned businesses and prepare them for supply chain opportunities with large corporations and government agencies.
With WBE Canada’s expertise in corporate certification and BEBC Society’s grassroots reach, mentorship and culturally relevant programming, there is an incredible opportunity to partner and to deliver real, scalable impact by building a stronger, more inclusive supplier ecosystem in Canada, where all women have the tools, visibility and opportunity to grow through procurement.
The partnership between WBE Canada and BEBC will open doors for Black and POC women-owned businesses to:
● Receive nationally recognized WBE Canada certification
● Access procurement training and capacity building programs through BEBC
● Join corporate supplier diversity networks and business matchmaking opportunities
● Receive hands-on support in navigating contracts, RFPs and bid readiness
“BEBC Society’s partnership with WBE Canada allows us to intentionally support Black and other women-entrepreneurs in building the capacity and credibility needed to compete – and win – in procurement”,
Jackee Kasandy, Founder and CEO, BEBC
“Never has there been a more important time in Canada to unite and strategically align to support all Canada suppliers. Our partnership with BEBC Society directly addresses economic inclusion, supplier equity, and gender-racial intersectionality – advancing shared goals under Canada’s diversity procurement strategies and ESG mandates”,
Heather J. Barker, President, WBE Canada
The partnership marks a significant step forward for supplier equity in Canada, and both organizations invite corporations, government agencies, and entrepreneurs to get involved. WBE Canada and BEBC Society is an invaluable collaboration to generate support for each other’s organizations with the goal of strengthening each other’s networks and thereby growing our aligned values.
The Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society (BEBC) is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC, representing Black businesses in Canada. With the goal of providing a unified platform for advocating and supporting Black entrepreneurs and businesses in Canada. BEBC also facilitates access to financing (Federal, Provincial, and Local), as well as providing advisory and mentorship services, helping Black businesses grow,
scale-up and become sustainable. For more information, visit www.blackentrepreneursbc.org
Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE Canada) is a Canadian non-profit organization working closely with corporations and government organizations advocating for the inclusion of Canadian Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in supply chains across Canada and abroad. To ensure diversity in supply chains WBE Canada works closely with its Corporate members to provide necessary training and support to help establish and develop supplier diversity initiatives.
For more information, visit www.wbecanada.ca.
Media inquiries: Marketing team, marketing@wbecanada.ca
