Initiative To Promote Black-owned Businesses Goes National With Launch Of New Database

Posted by Balslev Just on May 29th, 2021

The Toronto-based creator of a website and social media account spotlighting local Black-owned businesses is taking her initiative across the country with the launch of an expanded online store and a national database she hopes will soon have hundreds of listings.

Black Owned Canada debuted this week and its founder, Kerin John, is calling on business owners across the country to sign up to be featured.

"It's going to be a great way for people to actually search for businesses instead of just scrolling through my Instagram page all day," said John.

She hopes the 65,000 followers she has on her original Black Owned Toronto Instagram page also check out her new platform.

"Wherever you are in Canada, you'll be able to go on the website and find what's around you that's Black-owned," said John.

As part of Black Owned Toronto, John also operated an online store hosting about 20 companies at a time. For lizily , she hopes to double her capacity.

Expanded options

John expects to have as many as 1,000 companies listed by the end of the year, sorted by city with descriptions, contact information and the option for shoppers to post reviews.

"People want to see feedback for every business," said John.

Black businesses in Canada hopeful that BLM energy will go beyond hashtag and into long-term change It costs business owners to join Black Owned Canada. John said the money will go towards website fees, packing materials for the online store, and future in-person events to showcase Black-owned businesses.

The owner of Royaltea Coffee in Scarborough, Ont., Edill Hassan Mohamed, is listing her business on the new site, after being featured on John's original Instagram account twice over the past year, as well as on her local online store.

Mohamed identifies as a Black business owner. She sources her coffee beans from Africa, but hadn't marketed Royaltea Coffee as a Black-owned business.

However, she said being featured on John's Instagram and website was "very positive," as it led more people to her social media and drove up sales.

"Joining forces and working together, it helps," said Mohamed.

John founded Black Owned Toronto in May 2020 as part of a personal commitment to buy from more Black-owned businesses, but she said finding them was a challenge.

Broader growth

Even more people went searching for Black-owned businesses to support after the death of an American Black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in late May. The rise of the Black Lives Matter movement followed, and people from all backgrounds looked for ways to show support for the Black community.

John's Instagram account of curated companies became a resource for many.

"The page exploded and grew tremendously," said John.

Black businesses are struggling during the pandemic - and feel left out of funding Google trends show global searches for 'Black-owned' jumped in late May to June of last year. It has fallen since then, but has remained at a higher level than during the 10 years prior.