At the Black to the Future (BTF) Summit in Edmonton on June 25, The Nod Inc.—co-founded by Levar Saul—introduced The Nod App, Canada’s first social e-commerce platform focused on supporting Black-owned businesses. Within just 48 hours of launch, the app saw over 300 downloads, 24 business listings, and immediately started generating meaningful connections and commerce.
A Bold Economic Vision
The Nod App was built to foster aligning intention with impact. It aims to:
- Facilitate economic growth within Black communities
- Promote local discovery of Black-owned businesses
- Enable traceable and actionable support
Its first milestone—recirculating $100 million through 500 Black-owned businesses over four years—reflects a shift from transactional support to long-term community-building infrastructure
Key App Features
- Radar: Locate nearby Black-owned businesses, services, and events in real time
- Groups: Join community networks centered on commerce, mentorship, and collaboration
- Marketplace: Browse and purchase from Black-owned sellers with transparent impact tracking
- Care: Make anonymous contributions to businesses in need
- Spin & Win: Earn rewards through active engagement
Early Traction: Building Momentum
- Over 400 downloads within a week of launch
- More than 15 community groups formed, with 35+ new connections established
- 24+ businesses submitted listings and 9 businesses had transactions through the app within two days of launch
Community & Institutional Backing
The success of the launch reflects strong support from provincial and city partners. Alberta’s government and the City of Edmonton provided funding and sponsorship to catalyze the project’s reach rooted in inclusive innovation
Why It Matters for Black-Owned Businesses
- Greater visibility among socially conscious shoppers
- Economic resilience through sustained community spending
- Stronger networks via collaboration and group engagement
- Measurable impact, transforming purchasing decisions into data-driven social change
How to Get Involved
- Business owners can download the app (iOS and Android) and apply for a listing—currently accepting onboarding sessions July 7–9.
- General users can support by buying, sharing, and joining groups—each interaction contributes to the app’s impact goals.
The Nod App isn’t just another platform—it’s part of a movement to build systemic economic strength, where dollars recirculated within the community stay in motion, creating jobs, reinforcing local economies, and empowering entrepreneurs.
The vision behind the app is clear: transaction becomes transformation, and an app becomes a vehicle for lasting community wealth.
