About BBI

General Information

The BBI is committed to growing a Black presence in a diverse range of business sectors including high-tech, manufacturing, tourism, and the cultural sector. The four main components of the BBI are:

Strategic Planning for Communities
Operating the Black Business Centre
Regional Business Development
A Loan Fund

Fulfilling its commitment means the BBI supports its clients in the following ways:

Providing support in setting up a business structure.
Providing financial assistance by partnering with our Loan and Development Funds, and by assisting in accessing other funding sources.
Assisting in the development of a business plan, marketing plan, and/or advertising plan.
Assisting with business research.
Providing training opportunities, consulting, mentoring and aftercare.

BBI supports the development of business and job opportunities for Black Nova Scotians through four primary activities:

Training, mentoring and counseling - the BBI has a dedicated training department where various business courses are offered. The training department also facilitates a mentorship program and counseling activities.
Communication activities - the BBI is proactive in its communication strategy. The BBI produces a quarterly magazine entitled Black to Business, as well as an annual business community resource directory and annual report along with several brochures. The BBI also maintains a rich versatile website that is updated regularly. The magazines, directory and annual reports are available in the Publications section.
Loan and equity lending - the BBI has a repayable loan program accessible to all BBI clients that meet the lending criteria. The BBI also manages a community investment fund.
Strategic Initiatives - some of the strategic initiatives conducted by the BBI include trade missions, roundtables, bi-annual business summits, and a very successful youth program called Business is Jammin' (BIJ).

The BBI head office is located within the Centennial Building at 1201-1660 Hollis Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1V7.

For more information on the BBI, please contact us.