Financial Strategy and Access to Capital for Black Entrepreneurs

During this event, attendees will learn from industry experts, entrepreneurs, and business owners who share their diverse and far-reaching experiences and perspectives on business finance.

Keynote Speaker

Jay Rosenzweig

Jay Rosenzweig is an internationally renowned social impact entrepreneur, humanitarian, trained lawyer, and leadership strategist. The founder of Rosenzweig & Company, Rosenzweig is an expert in designing, building, and attracting world-class teams. He consults with public and private companies, including large global corporations; emerging growth to mid-sized businesses; professional services firms; and private equity and venture capital firms. He invests in and advises several leading-edge tech companies across North America and beyond.

Jay is an avid songwriter, having collaborated with a number of well-known recording artists.

Panelists

Charles Osuji

Charles is a multi-award-winning lawyer and the CEO of Calgary’s Osuji & Smith law firm. He was chosen as one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 and one of the top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada.

From law school in Nigeria to law firm CEO in Calgary, Charles’ rise to the top has been swift—only seven short years—earning him a LEXPERT Rising Star recognition for Canada’s Leading Lawyers Under 40. With over 45 local and national recognitions and awards in the last few years, he is now leading one of the fastest-growing mid-sized law firms in Calgary. At an age when most lawyers are busy learning their craft, Charles is doing that plus ensuring he is providing mentoring and leadership for his staff of associate lawyers, legal assistants, and articling students.

Mikayla McPherson

Mikayla began her journey with BMO in 2013 as a Customer Service Representative. She graduated from the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University, majoring in General Management, in 2015 and moved on to a Personal Banker role until most recently joining the Canadian Business Banking Division in May of 2021. Totaling over 7 years of bank lending experience, it is one of her favorite aspects of the finance industry. She is Calgary-born and raised, has two young boys at home, and enjoys traveling and building her shoe collection.

Elizabeth McCrae

Elizabeth McRae is the former President of Commercial Ventures, a boutique consulting & transaction services firm that helps business owners prepare for exit and close transactions. Elizabeth is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and currently the co-founder of Village Wellth, an online platform designed to assist buyers in the business search and acquisition process, welcoming new business owners to entrepreneurship through acquisition.

Oba Harding

Oba Harding is a Senior Business Officer with Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), a Regional Development Agency and department of the federal government. He works with companies, industry groups, and ecosystem partners across all sectors, to make strategic investments that strengthen the economy of Western Canada.

When he’s not at work or listening to an audiobook, he spends time on the turntables as a DJ, sharing a lifelong love of music.

What will you gain from attending?

1. You will expand your understanding and confidence related to financial information and concepts.

2. You will learn the benefits from lessons learned by other entrepreneurs and business owners.

3. You will explore build vs. buy approaches to business ownership and growth.

4. You will increase your understanding of working capital and traditional and non-traditional funding sources.

5. After the panel is done, you will meet industry experts and fellow business owners for networking opportunities.

6. You will gain access to valuable resources that you can use following the event and throughout your career.

RSVP Here