“It’s Time” is not only the name of the Ottawa event management company run by Cassandra Auguste-René but the words also describe the importance of the 2nd Ottawa Black Business Expo that she organized over the weekend with a team of women.
“We realized that there was definitely a need for something like this in our community,” she told OBJ.social at the event, held at the EY Centre on Sunday.
It was time, she said, to provide a platform for Black-owned businesses and Black-led organizations and service providers to promote their services, sell their products and generate leads to grow their brand while also providing community members a chance to meet local businesses and to network, shop and enjoy some entertainment.
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The all-day event, held at the EY Centre, was twice as big as last year’s business expo, allowing it to move from a small community hall to a larger exhibition space. The expo drew 120 vendors from such areas as beauty and wellness, legal and financial services, restaurants and catering, entertainment and events, clothing and accessories, and young entrepreneurs.
“It was a lot of work but, now, to see it come together is very humbling,” said Auguste-René, who also runs City Flavas, a food delivery service that promotes and connects customers with a variety of multicultural cuisines.
Proud to be attending the 2nd Ottawa Black Business Expo were Sen. Bernadette Clement and fellow political trailblazer Rawlson King, Ottawa’s first black city councillor, representing the Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward. He took to the stage with his colleague Jessica Bradley (Gloucester-Southgate Ward) to proclaim it Black Business Month throughout May in Ottawa, on behalf of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
Rawlson spoke of the accomplishments of Black entrepreneurs, and of their hard work and dedication. “The contributions of Black entrepreneurs to our city are immeasurable”.
“To all the Black entrepreneurs out there, I want to say congratulations and thank you,” said King, who also serves as Council Liaison for Anti-Racism and Ethnocultural Relations Initiatives. “Your achievements inspire us to all dream big and to work hard to make a positive impact on this city. Your success is our success, and we are proud to stand with you today as we celebrate your accomplishments.”
The city councillor also acknowledged there’s more work to be done to ensure entrepreneurs from the African, Caribbean and Black communities have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Running a small business comes with “massive” financial risks, he told OBJ.social. “Not many of us go to sleep at night with that type of concern, but all the people in this room do. I think, at a minimum, what we can do is patronize their businesses, we can buy their services, we can tell them we support them and, at the government level, we can link people to services that are available,” said King of raising awareness of the grant and bank loan opportunities and other financial tools available. “My office and I personally try to do that.
“If we build stronger businesses in the community, we’ll fortify the community and we’ll see better results all around.”
The atmosphere in the exhibition hall was consistently positive and upbeat, and it was easy to understand why after chatting with such nurturing business owners as Gretha Jean-Gilles, owner of G&P Chic Rentals and Design. “There’s never really been a space where Black-owned businesses can be showcased, although they’re able to go to other trade shows,” she said. “I definitely think it’s important for the community to see what’s available so we can support each other.
“I personally believe that we have additional struggles [such as systemic racism and discrimination] that others don’t, and I think that having a space like this allows us to … encourage and uplift each other,” she said. “I think, as Black people, we always tend to have to work a little bit harder to gain credibility. Unfortunately, that’s just the way it is. I definitely feel like we’re starting (further) behind the line.”
Jean-Gilles said she views the success of others from her community as inspiring. “When I see my Black people win, I win. When I see another woman doing well, I’m like, ‘You’re doing this for all of us’.”
Resa Solomon-St. Lewis and her sister Tracey Solomon run Afrotechture emporium in the heart of the ByWard Market. They opened the retail and online store because they wanted to give more exposure for Black artisans. “I was seeing so much talent out there, so many beautiful things, and thought, ‘I’m not seeing these things on the shelves; how can we help to increase that visibility’,” said Solomon-St. Lewis.
Solomon-St. Lewis is also an executive chef and founder of Baccanalle, which specializes in Caribbean food. She did her chef and culinary management training at Algonquin College. As well, she holds an engineering degree from the University of Ottawa and used to work for the government.
The sisters acknowledged it can be stressful to run a small business, but said they love it all the same. “It’s very gratifying, and we’re very committed,” said Solomon, who said they recently hosted a sip, snack and shop event for members of the Network of Black Business & Professional Women to stimulate business and build customer relations.
caroline@obj.ca
