Community News
The 5th Annual Black Arts & Innovation Expo brings opportunities to Transform Lives
BY: ALYSSA MAHADEO
On February 21st, 2019, leading tech companies will come together to celebrate Black History Month, at a one day only event offering jobs, scholarships, business grants, and many networking opportunities to help jump-start your career.
“Canada is one of the fastest growing technology markets in North America. BAIE was launched to help people develop new skills and compete to win in the workplace of the future. I know first hand that embracing technology and innovation can transform lives and inspire meaningful change – we need more diversity at the table.” says Claudette McGowan, Founder of BAIE.
The Black Arts and Innovation Expo (BAIE) was founded by Excelovate and is a proud supporter of First Book Canada. BAIE partnered with leading corporations, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, artists and innovators to promote diversity and inspire excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). BAIE defines a new way of celebrating Black History Month with focused attention on tomorrow’s legends while recognizing valuable contributions to technology, innovation, music, literature, visual arts, and entrepreneurship.
It is a networking opportunity to build relationships and forge mainstream connections. #BAIE2019 works to emphasize opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) so that more students are exposed to the opportunities they have to offer.
“It’s just like a career fair, we bring together some of the leading tech companies and highlight what types of jobs are available in the industry, they take resumes and in some cases, they even do on the spot interviews making connections on the ground as the first step finding work in the field,” Claudette says.
Attendees will have an opportunity to connect at the onsite Technology Job Fair with leading companies including Facebook, Pinterest, Lexmark, CompuCom, Dell and many more. The event will feature live performances by international music sensation Kardinal Offishall, R&B singer and songwriter Sage Harris, violinist Andrew Forde, and Matthew Romeo (formerly known as DJ Romeo).
A panel discussion on “Competing to Win” will be hosted by PR Strategist Dalton Higgins. Ahmed Ismail will deliver a thought-provoking keynote on his journey to build XO’s incubator, Hxouse, with Creative Director La Mar Taylor and The Weeknd.
Popular social media food influencer Ryan “Eat Famous” Hinkson will curate a complimentary menu served throughout the event. In addition, Djamila Ibrahim, Kayla Perrin, Canisia Lubrin, Josef Adamu and more will be onsite to showcase their artistic talents.
“We try to blend the artistic world with the technological world and see what magic comes out of that,” Claudette says.
Throughout the day attendees will be able to connect with industry-leading companies that are actively hiring diverse talent for STEAM roles. They will be able to discover 20+ unique artists and ground-breaking innovators that will exhibit their extraordinary creations, experience career-boosting onsite activations like complimentary resume reviews and professional headshots as well as engage in a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Competing to Win,” moderated by award-winning journalist and author, Dalton Higgins.
The Lions Lair Competition will allow entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their ideas to a live audience who will then be able to vote real-time on their smartphone and help one remarkable entrepreneur win a $10,000 business grant towards their business idea.
In addition to that, the BAIE2019 will celebrate five exceptional students as they receive scholarships of $5,000 each. (Students and entrepreneurs can apply for scholarships or a business grant at Blackexpo.ca before the deadline of February 15th, 2019.)
The 5th Annual Black Arts & Innovation Expo will be hosted by CP24’s Kayla-Marie Williams on February 21st, 2019 at the Arcadian Court from 11:00 am–7:00 pm. Come out to enjoy live performances, complimentary food tastings, a luxurious silent auction, flash raffles/draws and a one-of-a-kind futuristic Robotic Play Zone and the first 100 people will receive a leather messenger bag filled with swag, valued over $200!
Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $25 CAD, but their goal is to open their doors and allow free entry for students who cannot afford to buy a ticket.
“We want to make sure that everyone is able to experience in this amazing opportunity, and they shouldn’t be missing out just because they can’t financially afford it, there is a spot there for everyone.” Claudette says.