Artefact91

Did You Know? The Government of Canada is offering entrepreneurs over $10 billion in loans to support small businesses across #Canada through a program called the Canada Small Business Financing Program (#CSBFP) (https://lnkd.in/e6pcdbBN). This program allows loans of up to about $1.15 million *per borrower*, with specific conditions on the use of these funds for both tangible and intangible business assets. Eligibility Criteria: Small businesses or start-ups operating in Canada with gross annual revenues of $10 million or less are eligible. Farming businesses are not eligible under this program. For similar support, farming enterprises can visit the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program. Although this information is available on most banking websites (I will link them below), when visiting banks, many staff members are unaware OR #unwilling to say anything about the CSBFP. Surprisingly (not really), if you are a #Black entrepreneur, there is a tendency to be redirected to specific 'Black funding' instead of being informed about the CSBFP. My Question: Isn't this program meant to bridge existing systemic inequities for #all entrepreneurs? Why can't we access what the government is injecting into businesses, and why can't we benefit from both the general and specific 'Black funding'? Or are we #Black Entrepreneurs being excluded from #access on purpose? Find CSBFP details on these major banks' websites: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) - https://lnkd.in/e6ieMpAH Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) - https://lnkd.in/eEDxfPMy Bank of Montreal (BMO) - https://lnkd.in/ejqW7X6u Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) - https://lnkd.in/ezkkgNNw Scotiabank - https://lnkd.in/eBitHWab Call to Action: Legislation to Eradicate Anti-Black Racism in Banking Practices If you’re ready to stand with us and push for real change, join the movement and/or #fund this petition! Your support, whether it’s signing, sharing or donating, makes a huge difference. 👉🏾 Sign the petition here: Change.org : https://lnkd.in/eq9BmAiy NewMode: https://lnkd.in/ePaB6-iv 👉🏾 Fund this petition here: https://lnkd.in/eq9BmAiy 👉🏾 To learn more, share your experience and get involved: external.relations@inclusivityinstitute.ca #BlackEntrepreneurs #Advocacy #SupportBlackBusinesses #ItIsNotOK #Entrepreneurship #RacialEquity #FundTheCause

Becoming a mother is a journey that carries both immeasurable joy and profound vulnerability. As a new mother, I recently went through an experience that left me deeply shaken, an experience that reflects the broader crisis facing Black women in maternal healthcare. My story speaks to the harsh realities of obstetric racism that continue to impact #Black women in #Canada. From the very beginning of my pregnancy, my identity as a Black woman and an immigrant colored the care I received—or rather, the care I didn’t receive. The first doctor who confirmed my pregnancy was dismissive, barely acknowledging my presence. This lack of empathy set the tone for what would be a deeply troubling journey. At 32 weeks, I was told I needed a C-section—not because of any complications, but because my OB/GYN had a vacation planned. My baby’s weight became the excuse, even though I had no other medical concerns. I felt powerless, trying to advocate for myself but being ignored at every turn. It was clear that my care was being dictated by convenience, not medical necessity. The experience left me terrified, wondering why my health and my baby’s safety were being compromised for someone else's schedule. On the day of my surgery, as I lay numb and vulnerable in the operating theatre, I was met with yet another layer of indignity. The pediatrician, before even assessing my newborn, was more concerned about her immigration status and who would pay for his services. Despite the fact that my baby would be granted Canadian citizenship by #birth, these bureaucratic questions took precedence over her care. Only when reassured did he proceed with his duties. It was a moment that highlighted the insidious way that #racism, #immigration status, and #financial concerns can overshadow the care #Black women and their children receive. For me, the dismissive attitudes, the lack of information, and the coldness with which I was treated left me questioning my worth. Like many Black women, I found myself wondering: if I were White, would my experience have been different? Would I have been seen, heard, and cared for with dignity? Could this #kill me? The reality is the accounts of other Black women echo the same themes—being #ignored, #dehumanized, and left to navigate a system that was not designed with us in mind. Many Black women, like me, are forced to advocate for ourselves in the most vulnerable moments of our lives, often without success. ... #BlackMaternalMenatlHealth #Healthcare #RacialEquity #MaternalCare #Advocacy Stay tuned for our upcoming policy report: A Cross-Border Examination: Comparative Analysis of Black Women's Maternal Mortality in the USA and Canada Coming soon! Our comprehensive report will delve into the alarming disparities in maternal health outcomes affecting Black women in both countries. Sponsored by The Inclusivity Institute for Better Data Co-Authored by Dara Dillon and @Caryl Waggett (Allegheny College) Visual Design: Artefact91

🖤 It’s Time to Address Anti-Black Racism in Canadian Banking 🖤 For far too long, #Black Canadians have faced discrimination at every level—whether in #workplaces, #housing, #education, or even in simple daily transactions. But one of the most glaring and harmful areas where anti-Black racism persists is within our #banking and #financial systems. From #biased lending algorithms to #inequitable access to credit, Black communities continue to be left behind. I’ve personally experienced discrimination not just from institutional structures, but from individuals within “visible minority” groups—immigrants like myself. This kind of internalized #hierarchy, where #anti-Blackness thrives even among other marginalized communities, makes the fight for justice even more urgent. We need to stop pretending that all forms of #racism are the same and start addressing anti-Black racism specifically, especially within our financial institutions. I’m calling on everyone to stand with us and demand real change. Let’s push for anti-Black legislation in Banking in Canada, to ensure equitable access to loans, credit, and financial services for Black Canadians. Thank you Romain Williams for starting this petition! Sign the petition to make this happen ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g6HaiZBT Also, stay tuned for my upcoming qualitative research that digs deeper into these experiences—not just looking at the institutions, but at the people who perpetuate this discrimination, even within marginalized communities. Sponsored by The Inclusivity Institute for Better Data. It's time for true reckoning. #AntiBlackRacism #AntiRacism #BankingReform #BlackLivesMatter #EquityNow #Canada #BlackFinancialJustice #VisibleMinorities #ChangeNow #PetitionForChange #QualitativeResearch #InstitutionalRacism #Itsnotok

Excited to share that our founder Romain Williams has been awarded CIBWE | Canada International Black Women Excellence's Top 100 Black Women to Watch in 2024! Big round of applause and congratulations on this huge win and accomplishment! #CIBWETop100 #HerStoryInTheMaking #BlackWomenToWatch

This was an insightful piece! Nana Mariam Maïga eloquently discusses the double-edged sword of data storytelling in the development sector—how it shapes, shifts, and sometimes skews our understanding of impact. Let's rethink how we communicate our work to truly empower and uplift the communities we serve. The Inclusivity Institute for Better Data Artefact91 #RethinkDevelopment #InclusivityInAction #DataStorytelling #GlobalImpact"

Have you ever felt frustrated when referred to as a minority? Check out this article as I attempt to challenge and disprove the concept of being labeled a minority. https://lnkd.in/e9hdhVum Artefact91 The Inclusivity Institute for Better Data #AllAboutIIBD #Overlooked #tireddotcom

Hello everyone! You can find us on the streets of Toronto as we proudly celebrate Toronto Pride in a safe and responsible manner. Our goal is to collect data in an efficient and effective way, with the aim of creating a gender-expansive health tracker that is shaped by community input. We believe that everyone deserves access to inclusive and affirming healthcare, and we're working to make that a reality. Join us in celebrating Pride and supporting this important initiative! Happy Pride, everyone! English link: https://lnkd.in/eAKmeGUw French link: https://lnkd.in/eZVYJvsa #pridetoronto #AllaboutIIBD #inclusivesurveydesigns #womenidenfyingindividualsneedshealthcaretoo #wearenotfreeuntilweallarefree

Equitable Tech is about designing and deploying technology that serves everyone. At IIBD, in partnership with Wom3n & CO, we're committed to creating solutions like the WOMXN App that bridge digital divides, not deepen them. Our approach ensures that technological advances are universally accessible and adaptable, catering to the diverse needs of communities regardless of economic background, physical ability, gender expression or geographic location. Discover how our collaboration with Wom3n & CO on the WOMXN App is championing an inclusive digital revolution. Be part of a change that empowers. #EquitableTech #InclusiveInnovation #IIBD #WOMXNApp #AllAboutIIBD #IIBDABCs Designed by Artefact91

The Inclusivity Institute for Better Data (IIBD) is seeking passionate and driven interns to join our team and contribute to our mission of advancing social justice and inclusivity. We have three exciting internship opportunities available: Student Researcher, Data Analyst, and Communications and Media. If you're eager to make a meaningful impact and develop your skills with IIBD, please submit your cover letter, resume, and portfolio if applicable to talent@inclusivityinstitute.ca with Canadian Summer Job in subject line. Note that these positions are funded by the Canada Summer Jobs program, which supports individuals in the early stages of their careers. Eligibility is limited to individuals between 18 and 30 years old. #SummerJob #SummerInternship #RemoteInternship #Recruiting #Hiring #IIBD

This week our organization will be celebrating its one-year anniversary, and so, of course, we couldn't resist sharing why we find working at IIBD so enjoyable! #AllAboutIIBD #OfCourseChallenge #IIBD