At the LCBO, we recognize Black History Month as a time to celebrate the significant contributions Black Ontarians have made to our province and empower future generations year-round. Through our programs and partnerships, we stand with Ontario’s Black communities in the fight against racism, injustice and inequality as we strive toward equality for the good of Ontario.
Read below to learn how we’re elevating our partnerships that promote equity in our communities.
New partnership: Black Opportunity Fund
The LCBO is pleased to partner with Black Opportunity Fund to provide grants to Black-owned entrepreneurs and their businesses within the beverage alcohol industry. Through the Black Beverage Alcohol Business Grant, our partnership will provide non-repayable grants of $20,000 to 4-5 Black entrepreneurs already operating small businesses in the beverage alcohol industry to help grow their ventures. This program goes beyond financial support, offering capacity-building resources such as mentorship and access to business workshops facilitated by Black Opportunity Fund.
Partnership update: BlackNorth Academy
In addition to our new partnership with Black Opportunity Fund, the LCBO provided an $85,000 donation this year in support of BlackNorth Academy. The program provides Black Canadian professionals with valuable skills to enhance their business judgment and career prospects and prepare them to break the glass ceiling to enter the C-suite offices and boardrooms of Canadian businesses.
The funds provided by the LCBO will allow BlackNorth Initiative to offer a second cohort of BlackNorth Academy to 10 participants in 2025. To continue enhancing diversity in the beverage alcohol industry, BlackNorth Initiative will offer opportunities to Black Canadian professionals in the wine, distilling and brewery fields to participate in the 2025 BlackNorth Academy cohort.
Program update: SickKids Scholarship program for Black & Indigenous students:
We are proud to support SickKids Awards for Black Nursing Students. This program advances diversity and inclusion in the healthcare sector by providing a $5,000 bursary to Black nursing students who are interested in becoming pediatric acute care nurses at SickKids upon graduation. These programs particularly resonate with the LCBO, as we are committed to advancing diversity and inclusion within our organization and in the communities where we live and work. With LCBO’s support, since 2023, 4 individuals have received a SickKids Awards for Black Nursing Students. The LCBO is committed to advancing equitable beverage alcohol industry. The LCBO is committed to advancing equitable representation for the Good of Ontario.