Black Wealth Matters: How Black Businesses have Navigated the Covid 19 Pandemic? (Panel in French)

Co-presented by

Black business owners and entrepreneurs have faced systemic barriers to their success for too long, and the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on them. How have small and medium-sized Black-owned businesses in Canada survived and experienced the past year? With initiatives like the Buy Black movement geared to increase sales and new government grants, programs, and organizations like Black North dedicated to supporting their needs help? Have they seen significant changes in their business and an increase in revenue? What ways have they found to cope with the situation and keep their business alive? Moderator: Sarah Onyango Host-Producer at CHUO 89.1FM and Rogers TV Sarah Onyango is a well-known fixture on Ottawa’s community media scene. She hosts the monthly African cultural program Fontonfrom, on Rogers TV Cable 22 – Ottawa as well as the weekly radio programs, Ici l'Afrique, Afrika Revisited and Black on Black on CHUO 89.1FM (University of Ottawa community radio). She is very active in the Black community in Ottawa, and has spent over two decades promoting its people, organizations, causes and events. In 2003, to make it easier for the Black community to stay connected, Sarah created a website called BlackOttawa411 which has become a virtual community "hub" of sorts. In addition to volunteering as a radio and television host and producer, Sarah has emceed and helped organize numerous community events. Sarah is also a board member of Black History Ottawa, where she is responsible for public relations and outreach activities. Since 2008, Sarah has also been a member of the United Way East Ontario Community Builder Award Recognition team. Panelists Karthia Exumé - Restaurant le Flamboyant Karthia Exumé is originally from Haiti and arrived in Canada in 2008. Co-owner, with her spouse Ronal Micial, of the restaurant le Flamboyant in Gatineau. This restaurant has been offering Creole dishes typical of Haitian cuisine since August 2018. Ms. Exumé is an accountant and works for a ministry of the Government of Quebec. She is the mother of two boys aged 10 and 12, passionate about the art of cooking and organizing events. Grace K. Busanga - Founder and Marketing Consultant, Avec Grace Grace K. Busanga is passionate about marketing and uses her experience and expertise for worthy causes that concern Africa, women and the Francophonie. Her commitment and work have allowed her to obtain various awards and nominations. Peggy Civil - Founder and CEO of Civil Communication Ms. Peggy Civil has been the founder and CEO of Civil Communication for 8 years. Her company offers communication consulting services. She holds a bachelor's degree in communication and a minor in training from the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University. Ms. Civil has received numerous prestigious awards for her leadership and entrepreneurial excellence, among others, by the United Nations. She is recognized as one of the 100 black women to follow in Canada. Ms. Civil pursues her mission to communicate with the conviction that human connection takes us beyond words. Veronique Semexant - Notary, Your Notary Veronique has been a notary for 11 years in Gatineau and has had a private practice for almost just as long. I am passionate about community action and my family. Daughter - Black woman, mother, wife and friend, always there to listen.