FinTech and DEI Symposium – Calgary, Alberta
2024-11-07 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | The Westin Calgary, 320 4 Avenue Southwest Calgary, AB T2P 2S6 Canada, Calgary, Canada
Event Overview:
The Black Women Business Network (BWBN) is proud to announce its FinTech and DEI Symposium, which will take place on November 7, 2024, in Calgary, Alberta, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event aims to improve the representation of Black professionals in Alberta’s banking and finance sector, focusing on their participation in senior management and high-growth areas transformed by financial technology (FinTech).
Funded by the Government of Canada’s Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program, the symposium will create a platform to engage industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and Black professionals in dialogue on building a diverse and future-ready workforce.
Purpose of the Symposium:
The financial services sector is undergoing rapid transformation due to the rise of FinTech, significantly impacting job roles, required skills, and the overall industry structure. Research shows that Black individuals in Alberta’s banking and finance sector are disproportionately overrepresented in entry-level clerical and administrative roles in banking and finance, many of which are highly susceptible to automation. Conversely, they remain significantly underrepresented in professional, supervisory, managerial, and senior management roles. You can view some of our research findings here.
FinTech and associated technologies has the potential to be a game-changer in addressing the underrepresentation of Black professionals in Alberta and B.C.’s banking and finance sector. However, to unlock this potential, a concerted effort is needed from industry leaders, policymakers, and educational institutions to create pathways for Black professionals in this sector to thrive in the Fintech Age.
The symposium aims to achieve the following outcomes:

Raising Awareness: Share BWBN’s WORBE project findings and feature personal stories on the status of Black professionals in banking and finance.
Highlighting Opportunities: Introduce new career paths and growth areas in FinTech, focusing on leadership development and upskilling to prepare Black professionals for high-growth roles.
Empowering Employers: Offer practical strategies and tools to support Black professionals in developing leadership skills and transitioning into FinTech roles.
Building Partnerships: Foster collaborations between employers, industry leaders, policymakers, educational institutions and community organizations to create sustainable pathways for Black professionals

Event Schedule
5:00 – 5:30 PM: Registration and Networking Reception
5:30 – 6:00 PM: Welcome Presentations

Focus: Why we are here

6:00 – 6:15 PM:: Keynote Address

Topic: The impact of AI and FinTech on finance jobs and resources, and the way forward

6:15 – 7:00 PM: : Storytelling Session
-A panel of Black professionals and leaders share personal stories about their journeys in finance and FinTech, covering:-

Overcoming systemic barriers
Navigating leadership roles
Dealing with job displacement
Offering inspiration and practical insights on resilience and growth

7:00 – 7:15 PM: Break

Musical Transition

7:15 – 8:00 PM: : Expert Panel Session
-Discussion: “Building a Future-Ready Black Workforce for the Banking and Finance Sector”
-Topics covered:

Resources employers can provide to assist Black professionals transitioning into FinTech
Initiatives to build a future-ready Black workforce
Critical leadership skills for advancement
Challenges faced by Black professionals transitioning to FinTech roles
Steps for transitioning into specialized FinTech areas like AI, blockchain, and digital banking

8:00 – 8:15 PM: Call to Action

Encouraging actionable steps to support Black professionals in the sector

8:15 – 8:20 PM: Closing Remarks

Encouraging actionable steps to support Black professionals in the sector

Please RSVP here by October 31, 2024, to confirm your attendance.
For more details about the event or to RSVP, please contact:
Anointing Momoh
Project Manager
Black Women Business Network (BWBN)
anointing@blackwomencanada.org
Yinka Fasheun
Community Engagement Consultant
Black Women Business Network (BWBN)
yinka@blackwomencanada.org

FinTech and DEI Symposium – Vancouver, British Columbia
2025-02-27 17:00 - 20:00 | Vancouver Convention Centre West Room 202-204, Canada Place Room 202-204 Vancouver, BC V6C 3G3 Canada, Canada
The Black Women Business Network (BWBN) is proud to announce its FinTech and DEI Symposium, which will take place on February 27, 2025, in Vancouver, BC, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event aims to improve the representation of Black professionals in Britisch Columbia’s banking and finance sector, focusing on their participation in senior management and high-growth areas transformed by financial technology (FinTech).
Funded by the Government of Canada’s Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program, the symposium will create a platform to engage industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and Black professionals in dialogue on building a diverse and future-ready workforce.
Purpose of the Symposium:
The financial services sector is undergoing rapid transformation due to the rise of FinTech, significantly impacting job roles, required skills, and the overall industry structure. Research shows that Black individuals in BC’s banking and finance sector are disproportionately overrepresented in entry-level clerical and administrative roles in banking and finance, many of which are highly susceptible to automation. Conversely, they remain significantly underrepresented in professional, supervisory, managerial, and senior management roles. You can view some of our research findings here.
FinTech and associated technologies has the potential to be a game-changer in addressing the underrepresentation of Black professionals in Alberta and B.C.’s banking and finance sector. However, to unlock this potential, a concerted effort is needed from industry leaders, policymakers, and educational institutions to create pathways for Black professionals in this sector to thrive in the Fintech Age.
The symposium aims to achieve the following outcomes:

Raising Awareness: Share BWBN’s WORBE project findings and feature personal stories on the status of Black professionals in banking and finance.
Highlighting Opportunities: Introduce new career paths and growth areas in FinTech, focusing on leadership development and upskilling to prepare Black professionals for high-growth roles.
Empowering Employers: Offer practical strategies and tools to support Black professionals in developing leadership skills and transitioning into FinTech roles.
Building Partnerships: Foster collaborations between employers, industry leaders, policymakers, educational institutions and community organizations to create sustainable pathways for Black professionals

Event Schedule
5:00 – 5:30 PM: Registration and Networking Reception
5:30 – 6:00 PM: Welcome Presentations

Focus: Why we are here

6:00 – 6:15 PM:: Keynote Address

Topic: The impact of AI and FinTech on finance jobs and resources, and the way forward

6:15 – 7:00 PM: : Storytelling Session
-A panel of Black professionals and leaders share personal stories about their journeys in finance and FinTech, covering:-

Overcoming systemic barriers
Navigating leadership roles
Dealing with job displacement
Offering inspiration and practical insights on resilience and growth

7:00 – 7:15 PM: Break

Musical Transition

7:15 – 8:00 PM: : Expert Panel Session
-Discussion: “Building a Future-Ready Black Workforce for the Banking and Finance Sector”
-Topics covered:

Resources employers can provide to assist Black professionals transitioning into FinTech
Initiatives to build a future-ready Black workforce
Critical leadership skills for advancement
Challenges faced by Black professionals transitioning to FinTech roles
Steps for transitioning into specialized FinTech areas like AI, blockchain, and digital banking

8:00 – 8:15 PM: Call to Action

Encouraging actionable steps to support Black professionals in the sector

8:15 – 8:20 PM: Closing Remarks

Encouraging actionable steps to support Black professionals in the sector

For more details about the event , please contact:
Anointing Momoh
Project Manager
Black Women Business Network (BWBN)
anointing@blackwomencanada.org
Yinka Fasheun
Community Engagement Consultant
Black Women Business Network (BWBN)
yinka@blackwomencanada.org

BW Business Exhibit, Professional Convention & Career Fair 2025
2025-03-21 09:00 - 2025-03-22 17:00 | Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3 Canada, Canada
Elevate Your Business, Forge Global Connections
The Black Women Business Exhibition and Professional Convention 2025 is the ultimate platform for empowerment, networking, and growth for Black women entrepreneurs and professionals from around the world. Join us on March 21st-22nd, 2025, in Vancouver, Canada, and experience:

Cutting-edge Business Solutions: Access innovative solutions tailored for your business needs.
International Networking Opportunities: Forge meaningful connections with global delegates and industry leaders.

Business and Professional Development: Acquire skills and insights to advance both your career and business ventures.
Direct support for Black women-owned businesses: Receive targeted assistance and resources to bolster your success in entrepreneurship.

International Delegates – Exhibitor Packages
1.Non-Exhibitor All-Access Pass: $999
– Full exhibition access
-All masterclasses and workshops on Canadian business practices
-Special invitation to award ceremony
-1complimentary pass
2.Exhibitor Pass: $1,999
– Exhibition access and exhibitor booth
-All masterclasses and workshops focusing on Canadian market entry
-Full access to career fair and networking sessions with Canadian employers
-Visit to selected Canadian retail and ethnic stores
-Special invitation to award ceremony
-1complimentary pass
3.Non-Exhibitor and Hotel Package: $2,499
-All benefits of the Non-Exhibitor All -Access pass, plus
-Hotel room (single room) 3 nights
-1 complementary pass
4.Exhibitor and Hotel Package : $3,499
– All benefits of Int’l Exhibitor Pass, plus
– Hotel Room (single room ) for 3 nights
-1complimentary pass
5.VIP Executive Package : $4,999
-Full exhibition access
-Exhibitor booth
-All masterclasses and workshops
-Full access to the career fair and networking sessions
-Guided visits to selected Canadian retail and ethnic stores
-Special invitation to award ceremony
-Hotel room (single room) for 3 nights
-Private meeting room access (10 minutes)
-Personalized networking assistance with Canadian business leaders
-1complimentary pass
Important:

Administrative Fee: A 15% non-refundable administrative fee applies to all international/delegate payments.
Visa Support: Official exhibition visa letters are provided for all international participants and exhibitors.
Refunds: Refunds for international visitors who requested a visa support letter will be honoured only in the participant provides a valid visa refusal letter.
Eventbrite fees are non-refundable.
