About Us
Who We Are
BIPOC Business and Professional Network’s (BIPOC BPN’s) mission is to support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Colour) business owners, professionals, and post-secondary students and trainees to achieve economic empowerment and equity. Whatever the economic goal–starting a business, growing a business, finding meaningful work, career advancement, or upgrading education or skills–we want to be a partner in achieving it.
We will do this by:
Recognizing and promoting expertise and resources that already exist in BIPOC communities
Building a network of BIPOC talent and allies that can address career and business challenges facing BIPOC communities
Supporting the social and economic integration of BIPOC communities, meaning helping to eliminate differences in social and economic outcomes between BIPOC and non-BIPOC
Enhancing career- and business-related skills, knowledge, and competencies in BIPOC communities
Collaborating with organizations and groups that are working to end systemic racism
We Are Volunteer-Led and Volunteer-Run
As a completely volunteer-led and volunteer-run organization, we work collaboratively with other organizations and groups that focus on supporting businesses, job seekers, or BIPOC communities. We are always open to partnering with other organizations that focus on social and economic well-being. We play the role of connector and facilitator–we build bridges and fill gaps so that more BIPOC can benefit from existing programs, services and resources. We do not charge for membership.
BIPOC BPN on CBC Listen
Listen to Sandra Sunil discuss Economic equity and empowerment for BIPOC folks on the Island Morning with Mitch Cormier on CBC Listen.
What We Offer
Networking opportunities:
We host several networking events throughout the year. These mixers provide an opportunity to connect with others over shared interests. Check our calendar of events to learn when the next networking session will take place.
Capacity-building/training:
We host several workshops per year that are focused on improving skills and increasing knowledge. Check our calendar of events regularly to learn about upcoming sessions.
Information sharing:
We share information about opportunities with our members regularly. Become a member and join our mailing list to stay up to date.
Access to mentors and coaches:
We have volunteers who provide one-on-one and small-group support focused on gaining or enhancing skills or completing tasks.
Searchable directory of BIPOC businesses, professionals, and students/trainees:
Join us, create a profile in our member directory, and connect with others who share similar interests, sector, skills. Our directory is open to the public, so others can see your profile. It’s a tool for marketing yourself or your business.
Volunteer opportunities:
Looking for a way to give back? We can help. We offer a range of volunteer opportunities that enable you to use your skills, share knowledge, help someone learn something new, help lead an organization, and so much more. Volunteers power our organization, and there are plenty of opportunities to make a difference to our organization and in someone’s life. The time commitment is as little as two hours per month. Sign up to be a volunteer today.
Board of Directors
Our current board members are:
Shamara Baidoobonso
President
Fadi Rashed
Vice President
Daniel Ohaegbu
Secretary
Dellon Paul
Treasurer
Racha Al-Mayaleh
Director of Legal and Policy Affairs
Sandra Sunil
Director of Outreach and Engagement for Students and Trainees
Ruby-Nancy Lubigan
Director of Outreach and Engagement for Professionals
Hui (Annette) Zhang
Director of Outreach and Engagement for Business Owners
Nathaly Munoz
Director of Planning and Logistics
Nancy MacLean
Director of Fundraising
Organizational Structure
BIPOC BPN is a federally registered non-profit corporation with a managing board. The three standing committees that help the board manage BIPOC BPN are:
Governance
This committee helps BIPOC BPN’s board perform its due diligence. It also ensures that the board fulfills its legal, ethical, and functional responsibilities, and establishes a robust and effective process for evaluating the performance of the board, board committees, and individual board members. This committee is chaired by the President, and other members include the Secretary and the Director of Legal and Policy Affairs.
Finance
This committee assists, advises, and makes recommendations to BIPOC BPN’s board regarding fundraising and oversight responsibilities related to financial reporting, the audit process, internal controls, and financial risk management processes. The Treasurer is the chair of this committee, and the Director of Fundraising is required to be a member, too.
Membership & Programming
This committee is responsible for engaging the membership of BIPOC BPN, recruiting new members, and developing programs and services for members. Chaired by the Vice President, this committee also includes: the Director of Outreach and Engagement for Students and Trainees, the Director of Outreach and Engagement for Business Owners, the Director of Outreach and Engagement for Professionals, and the Director of Planning and Logistics.
Any member of BIPOC BPN who is in good standing may also serve on a committee, and each committee has spots for members-at-large.
History
BIPOC BPN started with Kevin Lloyd and Dellon Paul began working to create an organization to support Black businesses in Prince Edward Island (PEI). They had been speaking for several months before inviting Shamara Baidoobonso to join the initiative. Under Shamara’s direction, the focus was expanded to include professionals, students and trainees, and all BIPOC so that the organization could benefit a broader cross-section of communities of colour in PEI. Given that no one on the team represented the student and trainee perspective, Daniel Ohaegbu was recruited to join the team and bring that perspective.
On March 9, 2023, with support and direction from Tribe Network, BIPOC BPN hosted a Black Business Dinner at the Start-Up Zone in Charlottetown, PEI. The event demonstrated a need for an organization focused exclusively on supporting the economic goals of BIPOC. Given the event’s success, the team decided to create a legal entity. Once incorporated, the team spent several months recruiting board members to reflect the diversity of BIPOC communities in PEI. That board spent several months shaping and implementing BIPOC BPN, which officially launched on June 9, 2024.
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and resources to fuel your success. Membership is free.