Black Business Can’s Buy Black Challenge . . .We All Play A Part In Building Up Black Owned Businesses
Even though the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) petitions began in 1978, the Canadian House of Commons took until 1995 to finally recognize February as Black History Month.
The observance is used to honour the legacy of Black Canadians and recognize their ongoing contributions to our communities today. (Note: to learn about the current theme for this year and to watch videos about Black history visit online).
Black owned businesses bring immense value to Windsor Essex, but may be difficult to find.
In 2020, after meeting weekly with “powerhouse Black female activists,” Maxine Ebegbuzie — who had just pivoted from her beauty business and put all of her resources into her marketing agency, Max Mobile Solutions (MMS) — used her skills and network to launch Black Business Can Inc. (BBC), an online directory to promote and advance Black businesses found here.
“With the events of 2020, the harsh reality of racial inequality and anti-Black racism became apparent, globally,” remarks Ebegbuzie, BBC’s President and Founder. “We decided to take action and collect all Black entrepreneurs in the area and start building our economics.”
She adds: “I knew so much more needed to be done to assist in the closing of the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem gap.”
Now, after two successful years, in February 2023, Ebegbuzie is again encouraging the community to join the 28 day Buy Black Challenge by seeking out and supporting Black owned businesses (and building a habit that is continued year-round).
“It’s a way to show appreciation for the historical and ongoing contributions of African, Black, and Caribbean people in our region,” she believes.
Ebegbuzie continues by stating: “Making mindful purchases throughout the year to support diverse businesses, helps strengthen our communities and supports economic progress for all. When a group of people is not able to reach their potential, the community suffers unquantifiable opportunity costs and the nation truly misses out. When all people are unhindered in taking up economic space, and equity is a mission all decision-makers uphold, success is all of ours.”
The best way to support a business? Make a purchase. And try to involve your family and friends to make it an experience!
When you cannot support a business with your dollars, you can still help with exposure by using social media to like, share, and comment on posts from BBC and participating businesses.
The challenge is just a small part of what BBC is planning.
“Creating a supportive network, providing resources, assisting in getting businesses greater exposure, training, and partnerships that would aid in the removal of barriers to progress and expanded opportunities, are some of the items on BBC’s 2023 agenda,” Ebegbuzie explains.
To learn more about Black Business Can Inc, find new businesses, or to get your business, service or organization listed, visit here.
So are you ready to support local Black owned businesses that are associated with Black Business Can? Here are some ideas where to start for February’s Buy Black Challenge . . .
Max Mobile Solutions
Windsor/Detroit
In today’s market, if you want to maximize your online presence, you need a solid plan.
A website is a good place to start, but to increase your traffic and expand your social media audience you must look for a business that can provide a comprehensive outline of targets and how to reach them.
“Knowing how to put together a full-funnel marketing proposal and plan for success is what sets us apart,” says Maxine Ebegbuzie, CEO of Max Mobile Solutions (MMS),afull-service, data-driven Internet marketing agency that works with clients across North America.
A graduate of the University of Windsor’s Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Education programs, Ebegbuzie focused on entrepreneurship and honed her marketing skills over the last 20 years, most recently while she built up her beauty business in the city.
With the forced closures of the pandemic, she decided to look at her strengths — and with a strong business background and experience with clients — she made the pivot to focus more on the tech, marketing, and public relations company she established in 2014.
Now her venture works with 20 employees and contractors to help take businesses to the next level. And while a lot of agencies might stick to social media, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), web design, and Pay-Per-Click advertising (PPC), MMS offers additional services like streaming TV, geofencing advertising (direct-to-mobile ads based on activities and location), programmatic advertising, and tech/software integration.
The agency works in many industries including education, cannabis, entertainment, automotive, finance, and cyber security, and supports other marketing agencies as well.
In 2022, Ebegbuzie was recognized as the Tech Woman of the Year from WEtech Alliance’s Tech Awards, for her work in the industry, her contributions to the community, and her commitment to vital projects like training businesses to make their web platforms more inclusive. Her passion and commitment go into every project that the company takes on.
Initially, Ebegbuzie meets with potential clients to go through a needs analysis and discovery, and then discuss their budget and goals. From there, her certified experts utilize state-of-the-art marketing software to assess the business and competitors to build optimal marketing campaign strategies.
Clients who sign on then benefit from an interactive live dashboard that tracks progress, as well as access to an agile project manager who constantly tracks success and makes improvements on-the-fly (instead of waiting to check in monthly). The specialists (and their knowledge) are the reason that MMS can brag about having 98% of their clients rank for several keywords on the first page of search engines within the first year.
To learn more about the full list of services offered by the tech marketing and public relations company, refer to their website.
7ByRaz African Fashion & Accessories Inc.
Tecumseh Mall, 7654 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor
A recent addition to Tecumseh Mall is the vibrant store that belongs to Razia Mwondha, Owner of 7ByRaz African Fashion & Accessories Inc.
The store specializes in a range of African-inspired items, including clothing and accessories handcrafted in Kenya, as well as items that seamstress and jewellery maker Mwondha creates from materials like Kenyan textiles and beads.
Growing up, Mwondha was a reluctant helper with her grandmother’s sewing projects. She had to cut out patterns, take measurements, and help sew pillowcases and hem curtains. She quickly realized sewing was a talent that she was thankful for.
Mwondha moved to Canada in 2001 and earned a degree in education, but could not find a job. Eventually she found work in factories and nursing homes, but sewing was still part of her dream.
7ByRaz originally operated online from 2019 to 2020, but with the pandemic, Mwondha saw a steep decline in online sales. Still, she hoped to open a storefront to reach a wider audience and the pandemic had a flipside: rents and vacancies were lower.
After an initial run at her first location at the beginning of 2022, Mwondha was hit hard by a break-in. She decided to move to the mall in November; the rent was almost double, but she wanted a fresh start that felt safer and had more foot traffic. She’s been pleased with the move so far.
“They see something they like and they come in,” Mwondha comments.
She is happy to have such a variety of goods created by skilled artists in a fair trade environment. Products include hyacinth and sisal baskets, mirrors, jewellery, purses, dog collars, hair accessories, drums, blankets, fabric, and a full line of clothing.
One of her most popular items is the Kitenge bomber jacket, a common style, but using vibrant prints with a velvet lining for life in Canada.
Mwondha also carries brown skin dolls with hair that can be brushed and braided.
“Growing up in Kenya we didn’t have dolls that looked like me,” she points out. “It’s important for me to have dolls that look like most kids.”
As a new business owner, Mwondha says one of the barriers she faced was securing financing. She visited several banks that wanted her to already have money to get a loan.
Her advice for new business owners is to be prepared to not have much in the beginning, but stay positive.
“Don’t give up — smile,” encourages Mwondha. “If you believe in what you are doing, you can do it.”
When visiting her store she suggests customers try things on without hesitating about the colours and prints.
“Wear whatever you want to wear,” she says. “We like when people embrace our culture respectfully.”
To shop the latest creations online, link to their social media pages and find out what the future holds for the store (like Kenyan snacks!), check out their website.
