Black Business Initiative marking 30 years of helping Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs

Matthew Martel, CEO of the Black Business Initiative, talks about their 30th anniversary.

The Black Business Initiative is marking 30 years of helping entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada.

CEO Matthew Martel said the Halifax-based company was founded in 1996 following a provincial task force to address systemic issues and barriers.

“When we would have started, we would have seen a lot of challenges to things like access to funding and access to quality mentors,” Martel told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis. “Thirty years on, we’ve certainly grown. We’re supporting hundreds of businesses every year.”

According to its website, the Black Business Initiative offers funding, training and networking opportunities for more than 200 Black businesses per year.

Martel said after 30 years, they’re still seeing similar challenges, including access to capital.

“We make sure we have programming that’s responsive to the community,” he said.

To mark its anniversary, the Black Business Initiative with a gala and summit at the Halifax Convention Centre on March 19 and 20.