Cassels is excited to announce the 2024 recipients of its Black-Owned Small Business Grant: Gladys Afolayan of Creative Mindz, Judith Kasiama of Colour the Trails, Kenesha Lewis of One More Cocoa, Venesse Lewis of Niya’s Coily World, Naa Sheka Riby-Williams of Naa Sheka Fashion, and Bukky Wonda of Shirah.
Now in its fifth year, the grants – funded through personal contributions from Cassels employees and supported by Wheaton Precious Metals – are awarded to Black-owned or -operated businesses in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver in support of a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial community.
“As a small business with big ambitions, this grant will make a significant impact as we prepare for the holiday season,” says Kenesha Lewis, owner of One More Cocoa, an artisanal chocolate company based in the GTA. “With this support, we can grow sustainably, expand our product line, and reach more people with our Caribbean-inspired flavours. It’s empowering to have a respected firm like Cassels believe in our vision and invest in our future.”
This year’s grant allocations total over $100,000 and provide recipients with financial support to sustain their businesses. In addition to financial assistance, recipients equally benefit from pro bono legal services matching their grant amounts, further bolstering business success and economic opportunity.
“Our annual Black-Owned Small Business Grant is a commitment to elevating businesses that both represent and share our value of diversity and inclusivity in the business landscape,” says Kori Williams, Partner and Co-Chair of the Grant Oversight Committee. “By providing targeted financial and legal support, we aim to foster the success of Black entrepreneurs who disproportionately face systemic obstacles to create a more equitable and inclusive business environment in Canada.”
Since its inception in 2020, Cassels’ Black-Owned Small Business Grant has contributed over $537,000 to elevating the success of Black-owned and -operated enterprises in the broader business world.
Reflecting on her experience as a recipient last year, Nadia Tchoumi, founder of New Hope Media, shared that the grant “was pivotal for New Hope Media’s growth as the financial support helped us amplify our services to small, Black-led nonprofits, and the legal guidance was invaluable for navigating the complexities of the media industry. It aided and strengthened our work to continue uplifting marginalized voices within our communities.”
More About our 2024 Recipients
Colour the Trails [Vancouver, BC] focuses on improving access to the outdoors for BIPOC living in Canada. They host introductions, mentorships, and clinics in outdoor sports and recreation to introduce BIPOC adults to new activities and then help them advance further. To support this work, they build and maintain online and physical community spaces, as well as provide consultation and support to partner organizations working to improve on their DEI goals. They also create representative media to show the true diversity of BIPOC enjoying the outdoors and ensure that BIPOC who are curious about joining can see themselves represented in these spaces. The business was founded in Vancouver in 2017 and has grown to also operate chapters in Calgary (est. 2020) and Toronto (est. 2022). Website | Instagram
Creative Mindz [Calgary, AB] is transforming the beauty industry by addressing the critical issues of diversity and inclusivity. Through a comprehensive offering of beauty services, including hair, makeup, nails, and skincare, they serve a vibrant and diverse clientele. Within Creative Mindz, the Kulture Institute of Cosmetology directly confronts the educational deficiencies within the industry by offering training programs that equip individuals from various backgrounds with the skills they need while also championing cultural diversity and self-expression. Creative Mindz’s commitment to excellence and impactful community initiatives have positioned them as pivotal in redefining industry standards and profoundly enriching lives through beauty education. Website | Instagram
Naa Sheka Fashion [Vancouver, BC] uses the inspiration of Canadian and Ghanaian cultures to create stylish and high-quality designs. Ethical fashion is at the heart of Naa Sheka. Fashion, providing jobs with fair wages to Ghanaians. The company also donates a portion of its profits to grade schools in Ghana. The brand has national recognition and has partnered with the Vancouver Canucks to design a jersey for Black History Month. Website | Instagram
Niya’s Coily World [Toronto, ON] empowers individuals with coily, kinky, and afro hair textures who often feel unseen and underrepresented. Niya’s Coily World’s primary activity is their children’s book, which they use to promote hair diversity, host curated events that connect their audience to hair care resources, and build community fostering a larger conversation on afro hair appreciation. Next, they are leveraging the transformative power of children’s play with its Coily Hair Care Play Set — the first-ever toy to intentionally challenge narrow beauty standards and promote thriving coily hair. NCW is a platform for celebrating coily hair in a fun, engaging way. Website | Instagram
One More Cocoa [Toronto, ON] is an artisanal chocolate company dedicated to crafting visually stunning and delicious chocolates, using only the finest ingredients. Driven by its passion for timeless flavours, its Caribbean roots, and a touch of nostalgia, they specialize in creating gourmet treats that evoke cherished memories. They offer a range of products and services, including gourmet chocolate bars, artisan bonbons, chocolate-making parties, and many more. Their goal is to add flavours from our Caribbean heritage, showcasing flavours that are not usually found in chocolate, such as plantain bonbon and Scotch Bonnet Honey Bar. Website | Instagram
Shirah [Calgary, AB] is a Software as a Service (SaaS) company that leverages predictive algorithms and natural language processing to simplify the Canadian immigration process. They uniquely analyze vast data to offer recommendations and personalized, optimized pathways for all known and potential Canadian immigration routes. The primary product, a predictive calculator tool, addresses the complexities and uncertainties of immigration by providing personalized, accurate pathway recommendations, helping users navigate the process easily. By simplifying the immigration journey and offering tailored advice, Shirah empowers thousands of individuals, families, and businesses to make informed decisions confidently and achieve their dreams of moving to Canada. Website | Instagram