IBK – Ibukun Orefuja, the founder of Black Business Edmonton (BBE), is deeply committed to fostering community growth and unity. Driven by a recognized need within the community, he leveraged his IT expertise to create a platform dedicated to connecting and promoting Black-owned businesses.
As they mark their first anniversary this month, BBE stands out as a self-funded digital hub, highlighting Black entrepreneurs, talents, and community events in Edmonton. Its mission is to spotlight these businesses for the benefit of not just the Black community but the entire city of Edmonton.
Unlike other initiatives supporting Black business, BBE specifically aims to knit together the Edmonton business community. The success seen over the past year, especially among newly established businesses aiming to expand their reach and capacity, underscores the unique impact of BBE. With a focus on aiding newcomers and bolstering the economy, BBE represents a novel approach compared to other organizations.
The creation of the digital platform website https://bbedm.ca/ was one of the achievements. This website is an information resource where different Edmonton zones and surrounding cities can showcase their businesses.
A community calendar was also created for the digital hub https://bbedm.ca/community-engagements/
JS Havilah turned IBK’s story into a short film.
Watch it here!
