Empowerment Squared

As we enter the holiday season, we remain incredibly thankful of all of the support Empowerment Squared has recieved, and by extension, the incredible impact your support has had on the lives of our participants. Today we want to shine a spotlight on Waleed, a 10th grade student, who has been participating in Empowerment Squared for three years. He has participated in several programs, including Homework Circle and Summer Soccer. Most recently, Waleed participated in a 5-week Introductory Networking Workshop and attended a Postsecondary Information Workshop. Before joining Empowerment Squared, Waleed recalled having a lot of trouble reading and felt that he didn’t know how to ask questions. The mentors at Homework Circle made him feel confident to start asking questions, and they helped him with his reading skills. His favourite parts of Empowerment Squared programs are “the snacks, working with the mentors, and the fun activities. I love the variety of programs we can be part of!” When asked about a memory that makes him proud, Waleed remembers meeting the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, at the Draga Vision Care opening celebration. He felt “really proud that Empowerment Squared wanted to introduce him to Minister Tassi and that he was chosen to be a part of this important event.” Waleed reflects that “Empowerment Squared has truly helped me develop as a student and as a person.” This giving season, your contributions make 2x the impact thanks to the generosity of one of our dedicated donors who is matching all donations. You can learn more and donate at: https://lnkd.in/gBAwd_YM

The HOPE program is a partnership between Empowerment Squared and the Mastercard Foundation designed to empower 200 economically and socially disadvantaged Liberian entrepreneurs. Implemented through Empowerment Squared’s Liberian Learning Center, Liberia’s first purpose-built library, learning center, and business incubation hub, HOPE is open to existing business owners/entrepreneurs aged 18-35, providing training in digital literacy, financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills, and seed funds to support self-employment. Submit your application by completing the form using this link: https://lnkd.in/eqrtgtdM

Happy Holidays! We hope you keep warm as we enter the coldest time of the year. We invite you to join our Winter volunteer team as a Mentor with our Homework Circle and Rites of Passage programs or spend the week with us during March Break for Camp UBUNTU. Empowerment Squared is a community that is invested in building a better world. As a Mentor, you can help empower young people and their families to reach their full potential. Join today by completing our application process using the link below. The application deadline varies per program, so check our website for more details. https://lnkd.in/gpwWmjwD Please tag your friends, family and others in your network in this post!

After 17 years as a supporter and then employee of Empowerment Squared, Joana Fejzaj is moving on from her role as Manager, Community Development and Partnerships to focus on her personal and family life. Many members of the Empowerment Squared community have engaged with Joana, whose warm and inviting presence and commitment to driving positive change has been instrumental in creating engaging and constructive relationships. CEO Leo Nupolu Johnson shared: "As one of Empowerment Squared's first and most dedicated team members, Joana's contributions to the organization have been immeasurable. Her hard work and generous spirit have impacted the lives of many in our community, and we wish her the best in next steps as she moves on to the next phase in her journey and relationship with our organization.” Joana has shared a letter with the Empowerment Squared community, which you can read at: https://lnkd.in/eaMAZHFE

This past weekend, the SWOBEN Level-Up Symposium + Showcase, powered by Empowerment Squared and BLK OWNED, brought together entrepreneurs and community members for a day of learning and networking. Hosted at St. Clair College, the event featured business advisory sessions on topics such as financial management, AI, marketing, legal, and grant applications, all led by industry experts. A highlight of the day was the keynote address by ✨Vivian Kaye, who shared her journey of building a seven-figure startup and shared insights into building a successful e-commerce platform. The event concluded with a showcase finale, where Cohort 4 participants presented their business pitches to an esteemed group of judges. Thank you to all the partners, advisors, speakers, special guests, judges, MC, volunteers, and entrepreneurs who made this event a success. Photos by: Julianna Bonnett

When you donate to the Building the Dream campaign (and 2x your impact), you're supporting young leaders like Mariam - learn more about her story below: https://lnkd.in/gUV3eFwc Mariam has been a participant in Empowerment Squared programs for 4 years. Some of her involvement has included programs such as Literacy, Homework Circle, Soccer, and Camp Ubuntu. When Mariam first joined Empowerment Squared, she found that “interacting with people and making new friends was difficult”. Mariam started with Empowerment Squared during COVID, when school was all online. As a young person, this was difficult as it meant less interactions with her peers and leaders. Mariam also experienced challenges in getting adequate support with math homework, since “it was hard to learn from and trust people online.” Empowerment Squared programs enable Mariam to develop her social skills by easing her into group interactions both digitally and in-person. Mariam says “The people that help us with our homework are nice and they care about us.” She “enjoys Empowerment Squared programs because they are fun and helpful.” Through these programs, Miriam has been able to “learn about and finish her homework, especially math!” Through this giving season, your donation will go twice as far, thanks to a generous donor matching every dollar donated up to $150,000 — turning our collective fundraising efforts into an incredible $300,000! Contribute at https://lnkd.in/gUV3eFwc

Giving Tuesday is here and we invite you to join us in Building the Dream! Check out this video message from our CEO Leo Johnson and learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gUV3eFwc Today and through December, your donation will go twice as far, thanks to a generous donor matching every dollar donated up to $150,000 — turning our collective fundraising efforts into an incredible $300,000! These funds will be invested in Canada and Liberia, including supporting the development of Phase 2 of the Liberian Learning Center. We are incredibly excited that the official opening of Phase 1 will be on Friday, December 13, 2024! With your support, we can expand and deepen vital programs like academic mentorship, access to postsecondary education, sports and recreation, and professional skills development. Let’s come together to Build the Dream and double your impact this Giving Tuesday. Your generosity will not only change lives—it will unlock hopes and dreams. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gUV3eFwc or link in bio!

Going into the weekend and looking forward to Giving Tuesday with exciting news! https://lnkd.in/gUV3eFwc This Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2024), your donation will go twice as far, thanks to a generous donor matching every dollar donated up to $150,000 — turning our collective fundraising efforts into an incredible $300,000! Together, we can double the impact in Canada and internationally. At Empowerment Squared, we believe in the power of community and shared humanity. Rooted in the spirit of UBUNTU, "I am because you are," we are committed to uplift newcomer, racialized, and marginalized youth, families, and communities, empowering them to unlock their potential and thrive. Through education, mentorship, and empowerment, we’ve transformed thousands of lives both locally and globally. Our holistic and barrier-free programs address complex challenges such as poverty, cultural and language barriers, and wellbeing, while fostering resilience and growth. With your support, we can expand and deepen vital programs like academic mentorship, access to postsecondary education, sports and recreation, and professional skills development. Let’s come together to Build the Dream and double your impact this Giving Tuesday. Your generosity will not only change lives—it will unlock hopes and dreams. https://lnkd.in/gUV3eFwc

It just keeps getting better! Hello Hair entrepreneur Anita Grant will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Level Up Symposium in Hamilton on November 30! RSVP at swoben.ca/levelup Anita Grant’s journey in entrepreneurship and consulting goes beyond a career—it’s her calling. She launched her first venture, Fleeky, navigating the complexities of building a tech-driven business from the ground up. However, as her career progressed, Anita felt a deeper pull toward making a meaningful impact, which led her to create Hello Hair—a social impact brand dedicated to empowering young girls to embrace their natural hair and authentic selves. Through Hello Hair, Anita is a powerful advocate for representation and self-confidence, creating a space where girls can see themselves reflected in positive ways. Her work has been recognized in Forbes, Essence, and CBC, and she recently shared her vision on season 19 of Dragons' Den. As a mother of two, Anita is inspired to pave the way for her daughters and others, encouraging them to embrace their unique paths, turn challenges into growth, and shape their own journeys in an ever-evolving world. The Level Up Business Advisory Symposium is presented by Empowerment Squared’s Southwestern Ontario Black Entrepreneurship Network (SWOBEN) and BLK OWNED HamOnt for program participants and all entrepreneurs. Level Up offers current and aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to get key advice and insights from industry experts. Learn from dynamic sessions and keynote presentations with thought leaders, network with fellow entrepreneurs, and be inspired to level up your business and nonprofit initiatives. Hamilton - November 30 (Anita speaking) Windsor - December 7 Free (mandatory) RSVP at swoben.ca/levelup Event will sell out – register today!

Announcement: Entrepreneur & Empowerment Expert ✨Vivian Kaye will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Level Up Symposium! Free RSVP at swoben.ca/levelup Vivian Kaye is an immigrant, college dropout, and single mom who bootstrapped KinkyCurlyYaki, a premium textured hair extensions brand for Black women, into a multimillion-dollar empire. As a vibrant keynote speaker and media personality, she bridges the worlds of big and small business, combining Gary Vee's hustle with Oprah's heart. Featured on Citytv's Cityline as an Entrepreneur & Empowerment Expert, and in documentaries on CBC and Discovery+, Vivian’s real-talk approach empowers audiences to take bold action. Her journey as a Black female entrepreneur has been showcased in publications like The New York Times, Toronto Star, and The Globe & Mail. Vivian has also partnered with national and global brands such as Shopify, Amazon, LG, Samsung, American Express Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Porsche Canada. With Vivian, audiences learn how to turn their big dreams into even bigger realities. Vivian’s keynote workshop will be on “Foundation to Growth: Strategies for eCommerce Success in 2025”. The Level Up Business Advisory Symposium is presented by Empowerment Squared’s Southwestern Ontario Black Entrepreneurship Network (SWOBEN) and BLK OWNED HamOnt for program participants and all entrepreneurs. Level Up offers current and aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to get key advice and insights from industry experts. Learn from dynamic sessions and keynote presentations with thought leaders, network with fellow entrepreneurs, and be inspired to level up your business and nonprofit initiatives. Hamilton - November 30 Windsor - December 7 Free (mandatory) RSVP at swoben.ca/levelup Event will sell out – register today!