As Canadians, we appreciate the diverse culture that brings us together as a nation. Now more than ever, we see Canadians waving our bold red and white flag, a symbol of the glorious and free land we are proud to call home.
The theme for Black History Month in 2025 in Canada is Black Legacy and Leadership, highlighting the diversity of Black Canadians and the importance of leadership and legacy for future generations. A study done by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) highlights key facts surrounding black ownership in Canada. The study found more than half of black business owners in Canada are immigrants largely based in Ontario and Quebec, more than two-thirds of black owners are men and the top 5 fields of black ownership includes transportation, warehousing, and professional scientific and technical services — natural, organic and wellness (NOW) businesses are notably missing from the top five fields. This study emphasizes the importance of filling the gap to diversify black ownership in Canada in the NOW industry.
As we continue our DE&I efforts at CHFA, it is important to note these programs, training and workplace initiatives can help understand the barriers to collaboration with equitable groups and further recognize the biases that prevent them. If you don’t have DE&I programming at your company yet or feel it can be improved, there is no right or wrong way to get past these initial barriers — and we’re eager to help guide you. Our bi-annual DE&I Breakfast held at CHFA NOW trade shows are a great place to start.
At CHFA we can proudly say our members are as diverse as our country. We have black founders like Kula whose founder created African plant-based meals and sauces, Dodjivi whose west African roots of incorporating food as medicine created a functional mushroom superfood coffee and our latest winner of the CHFA Celebrating Diversity Award Emkao Foods whose family farming origins led to using sustainable cocoa for their chocolate brand. These CHFA members, like many others have amplified their black family history to create innovative food offerings to expand the NOW community. Celebrating and acknowledging the past and embracing the future is a great way to celebrate this month.
Understanding how DE&I can bring diverse groups together for a common purpose and lead to black legacy means a better future for all Canadians by including all voices at the table of decisions.
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