Leveraging the power of many.

Our Mission.

Fostering a co-operative economics approach to community wealth building
that empowers and advances Black Alberta,

ABSSEC envisions a connected Black Alberta enjoying the rights, resources, and recognition to be a thriving, resilient and prosperous community.

The Initiative

    • Provide a Black collaborative social purpose organizational (SPO) voice at the social economy and social finance table.

    • Access to social finance resources for Black community members (entrepreneurs, organizations, change makers etc.)

    • Support social change and systems change efforts by Black led SPO’s and community change makers

    • Build capacity around social economy, social finance for Black social entrepreneurs, non-profit leaders, artists and change makers

    • More engagement of Black organizations, entrepreneurs and change makers in the social finance and economy space

    • More inclusion around philanthropic dollars

    • Uniting the voices of Black stakeholders in Alberta

    • Identifying Alberta specific needs (gather data through surveys and focus groups)

    • Support organizations to be more effective in how they solve social issues

    • Build innovation capacity of Black organizations and stakeholders

    • Forward thinking / Progressive

    • Systems Approach

    • Collaboration

    • Centered on Black identity

 

Meet Our Team

Jerome Morgan

Chair

Jerome Morgan is an innovations expert and change agent, shaping social, creative, entrepreneurial, and economic change. Jerome started Wood Buffalo Strategy Group, a design consulting firm that specializes in strategy, human-centered design, organizational development and facilitation. He helps leaders get to better solutions through design thinking and business strategy. Jerome was selected as a 2018 social innovator and change-maker. Currently, Jerome is also the Associate Director for the Social Innovation Hub, Innovate Calgary at the University of Calgary.

Wunmi Idowu

Co-chair

Wunmi Idowu is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, public speaker, consultant, and producer. She is the Founder and Director of Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc. since 2006 and the Founder of the Black Arts & Culture Council (BACC). Driven by her belief that arts, culture, and education are essential for growth, development, and global impact, Wunmi pushes for increased visibility of ethnically and culturally diverse artists in Canada.

Wunmi hopes that perceptions will shift around who participates in the arts. Through dynamic, cutting-edge programs that capture the imagination of a range of audiences, her hope is to enhance the creative economy in Calgary, empower communities and perpetuate the movement for instilling social change.

Bontu Galataa

Treasurer

Bontu Galataa is an Entrepreneur Ecosystem Strategist at ATB Financial, dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in Alberta. Her role involves developing and nurturing strategic partnerships with small business support organizations to understand community needs,facilitating learning opportunities for entrepreneurs and creating connections within the Ecosystem.

Bontu holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and International Business and an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She's passionate about social enterprises that address social and environmental challenges. Originally from Oromia, Ethiopia, Bontu maintains a strong connection to her roots and integrates it into her daily life. She is a Social Entrepreneur herself and leads Sayyoo Consulting, a business consulting and grant writing firm as well as Sayyoo Innovation, a startup focusing on rural African community development through diaspora engagement.

Justine Dogbe

Board Member

Justine Dogbe is a dynamic professional with almost 14 years of experience in post secondary education and community engagement. A variety of career roles including Continuing Education Instructor, Leadership Education Specialist, Career Mentorship Coordinator and International Program Director has demonstrated her ability to invigorate learners and community members to dive deep into leadership development and acquire skills that support their career paths all while making meaningful connections and impact.

Justine's recent accomplishments include her successfully advocating for approximately $1 million in Government funding for the institution-wide mentoring program for first year students that she designed from the ground up which encompassed over 3000 participants during the pandemic over a three year period. She revitalized a career based mentorship initiative for equity-deserving individuals pursuing the business industry. She currently works with a program for marginalized students on the path to medical school as well as entrepreneurs in early to midstages of their ventures seeking mentorship. She was recognized for these efforts as an Inclusion Diversity Equity Award (I.D.E.A) Leader, Mental Health Advocate, Sexual Violence Support Guide. As a lifelong learner, she continues to expand her knowledge and skill set to make impactful contributions in her community and beyond.


Adaeze Hubbard

Secretary

Adaeze champions Alberta's creatives and businesses with passion and dedication. As the Venture Manager at Innovate Calgary’s Social Innovation Hub, she empowers the "unusual suspects" in entrepreneurship, providing crucial support and resources for their journeys. Through her not-for-profit organization, Exposed Creatives Society, and her impactful work with C-Tribe Society, Adaeze has made significant strides in fostering community and innovation.


Recognized for her leadership, she was nominated for the 2024 Women in Music Canada Rising Leader award. Adaeze is committed to helping businesses and creatives access the resources they need to turn their aspirations into reality.

In addition to her professional achievements, Adaeze is an R&B singer/songwriter known by the stage name "Ezeada." Through her music, she spreads messages of hope and self-love, resonating deeply with her audience.

Adaeze also serves on multiple boards, including the Alberta Black Stakeholders for Social Economic Collaborative (ABSSEC), C-Tribe Society, and The Black Arts and Culture Council (BACC). Her work and advocacy continue to inspire and create a lasting impact in the community.


Robert Tyndale

Board Member

Robert "bobby.t" Tyndale is a digital marketer who recognizes the transformative power of stories in connecting people. He leads the content production agency Version Me Media, collaborating with diverse businesses across Edmonton.

In his spare time, Robert cultivates his YouTube channel and podcast, interviewing, reflecting, and discussing subjects that intrigue him. With a solid commitment to engaging the Black community, he co-founded the local publication Melanistic Magazine and serves on the boards of the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC), the Jamaican Association of Northern Alberta (JANA), and Alberta Black Advisory Council (ABAC).

Identifying the need for a supportive space, he established the digital community Record in Colour, which is dedicated to helping creators of colour grow an engaged audience using video.

Marie-Laure Polydore

Board Member

Mohamed Abdullahi

Board Member

Mohamed Abdullahi, is a IT professional with a robust background in Management Information Technology, gaining his bachelor from the University of Lethbridge. Renowned for his expertise in the IT industry, Mohamed is also a dedicated community volunteer, actively participating in youth mentorship programs and contributing to electoral processes.

As the President of the non-profit organization Alberta Youth Empowerment, he is committed to fostering leadership and growth among young people.

Additionally, he is an avid sports enthusiast.

Funke Smith

Board Member

Marie-Laure is a dynamic force in business development, currently leveraging her expertise with Futurpreneur’s Alberta Team. She is driven by a profound belief in the transformative potential of small businesses within communities. With an unwavering passion for entrepreneurship and a keen interest in environmental sustainability, she serves as a catalyst for positive change.

Over the years, Marie-Laure has honed her versatile skill set across diverse industries such as clothing, telecommunications, manufacturing, and non-profit sectors. Her fluency in both English and French empowers her to connect with entrepreneurs from various backgrounds, and she is deeply committed to supporting their endeavors.

Marie-Laure holds a bachelor's degree in Tourism, Planning & Development, and she is currently pursuing an MBA in Community Economic Development. Her academic pursuits complement her practical experience, further enhancing her ability to drive meaningful impact. With Futurpreneur Canada, Marie-Laure is poised to continue her mission of empowering entrepreneurs and fostering sustainable community growth.


Funke Smith is a dynamic thought leader and a passionate changemaker within Alberta's youth economic development sector. As a seasoned Career Strategist and Social Innovator, Funke is the founder and CEO of Skillcity Institute, dedicated to ensuring that every young person is equipped with future-ready skills to succeed in a constantly evolving economic landscape. She has been celebrated for her creation of Edmonton's first technology-powered immersive STEM & Career Exploration Lab, a career skills incubator dedicated to empowering at-risk youth to pursue promising careers in future-shaping STEM fields. 

Fondly known as “the Kingmaker”, Funke brings a wealth of skills and global experience to her community empowerment efforts drawing from her extensive career in international development. Funke's ethos is rooted in challenging individuals to explore and expand the boundaries of their human potential; discover their passion, engage their creative faculties, and maximize their capacity to create value and enrich their world.

 

Alberta Black Owned Business Directory

We’re excited to introduce a dedicated directory for Black-owned businesses in Alberta to register and connect. This initiative aims to track and support a comprehensive inventory of Black-owned businesses, helping you gain visibility and connect with valuable resources.

Register Now!