Legacy Black: Closing the Wealth Gap in the UK

Warning long Post: Over the past few weeks, I’ve been watching many Chambers across our province host their annual awards and galas — and I have to be honest, it’s disappointing to see how little diversity there still is in 2025. When I say diversity, I mean Black businesses. There are incredible Black-owned businesses in every single sector of Nova Scotia, yet they are often missing from these spaces — from the event stages to the photos, to the marketing materials and websites. And let me be clear — I don’t mean seeing one or two Black businesses or even a handful of marginalized business owners in a room of 100 to 350 people. That’s not representation. That’s tokenism. It makes me question whether some Chambers truly don’t realize how this looks from the outside, or if they’re fully aware and simply don’t care. Either way, the message it sends is loud. I speak at so many events across this province, not just as a successful Black woman entrepreneur, but as someone trying to open doors for others who look like me — showing them that yes, these rooms are also meant for them. But I can’t do this alone. The Halifax Chamber of Commerce deserves recognition for how intentional they’ve become around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). It took time, effort, and accountability to get where they are — and even they’ll tell you there’s still more work to do. A lot of other Chambers across Nova Scotia should really be mimicking or paying close attention to what the Halifax Chamber has done. Their actions show that with the right commitment, progress is possible. Representation matters — and so does accountability.Lets do better!!!

Despite growing recognition of the importance of Black entrepreneurship, Black-owned businesses remain underrepresented in high-growth sectors and undercapitalized relative to their peers. To address this issue, community-based financial institutions (CDFIs) have emerged as critical intermediaries. But are they working? On November 12, The Brookings Institution will host an event to discuss the potential of CDFIs in expanding Black business ownership, and how doing so can drive greater economic security and increased well-being across geography and race. Andre M. Perry, Melissa B., @Brian E. Argrett, and Bill Bynum will share their thoughts on the issue during a panel discussion. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eGxjjN3f 

Representation That Doesn’t Relate By Raymond Alford Managing Partner — Realford Holdings & Trust Founder — Pathways to Prosperity Initiative Across America, we talk a lot about representation. But we rarely ask a critical question: Does the representation actually relate to the economic interests of Black business owners? Too often, the individuals positioned as “voices” for Black communities are not business owners, employers, developers, investors, or policy strategists. They come from cultural influence, not economic experience. And the result is predictable: symbolic representation instead of economic representation. Why Black Business Owners Must Be Engaged in Politics Regardless of party affiliation, Black entrepreneurs must participate in policy-shaping environments. Wealth is influenced heavily by: • Tax codes • Contracting opportunities • Economic incentives • Workforce programs • Development approvals • Federal and state appropriations If we do not advocate in these spaces, others will make decisions that determine our access to capital, contracts, and economic mobility. --- Why I Vote Republican as a Business Owner This is not about party identity — it is about policy alignment. For Realford Holdings, our most accelerated periods of growth occurred during Republican presidencies, due to: • Lower taxes • Business-friendly regulatory structures • Stronger incentives for development • Favorable private investment conditions My focus is simple: Vote for the policies that build generational wealth. The Path Forward Black America needs more economic representation at the policy level: business owners, contractors, developers, financial leaders, and investors. Cultural representation is valuable. Economic representation is transformative. Representation is only effective when it relates to our economic reality. This is the principle behind the Pathways to Prosperity Initiative and the future of Realford Holdings.

The speaker shares a video inspired by Black Wall Street, reflecting on its legacy and the spirit of ownership it represents. The video aims to evoke the classy, positive imagery of black families and communities from the 1920s. The speaker emphasizes that this vision isn't just a fantasy, but a glimpse into a time when black business owners thrived. Rebuilding strong, supportive communities, like those seen at the All Black National Convention, is key to fostering wealth and collective success. #BlackWallStreet #CommunityWealth #EconomicEmpowerment #BlackExcellence #FinancialLiteracy

Supporting Black artists and businesses is more than just a transaction—it's an investment in the community's future. Recently, The Black Business School proudly sponsored Dee-1's tour, witnessing firsthand the power of Black economics in action. Sold-out venues demonstrated what's possible when resources are pooled together with a common objective. It's about tenacity, courage, and a belief in ourselves. And a quick look at stocks like Affirm, reveals opportunities for financial empowerment. The community has what it takes to win. #BlackEconomics #SupportBlackBusiness #CommunityInvestment #FinancialEmpowerment

Today's top news success With an estimated annual disposable income of £4.5bn, the UK Black community represents both an economic consumer force and an undertapped talent pool. One common misconception about leveraging community, says Flavilla Fongang, founder of Black Rise, is that you need to be an extrovert: "Stay yourself and know which your strengths are." Fongang recently joined a Linkedin Live panel alongside Dr. Raphael Sofoluke, CEO of the UK Black Business Show, which explored how communities drive innovation and business success. Both founders have woven community into the fabric of their businesses, with Sofoluke advising that turning one's "frustration into inspiration" can become a powerful driving force.

LCCI’s Black Business Association (BBA) is dedicated to supporting the effective business activity of Black entrepreneurs and Black employees in the capital. The group champions success within London’s Black business community and provides a platform for Black-owned businesses to network, do business and address barriers to equality. The Black Business Association Committee, chaired by Dr Bola Abisogun OBE (Hon DUniv, Hon MBA), Founder & Chairman, DiverseCity Surveyors, with Vice-Chair Kike Agoro, Founder and CEO, BYP Network, is dedicated to lobbying and supporting the effective business activity of Black entrepreneurs and owners, demonstrating the investable credibility of Black British business, and significantly influencing the government's agenda on racial injustice, discrimination, and economic empowerment. Meet the full BBA Committee and stay up-to-date with the latest events and news here: https://ow.ly/yK3g50XcfCw Programme Partner: University of Westminster #blackbusinessassociation #bba #blackbusiness #londonblackbusiness #diversity #londonbusinesses

Introducing Capital B in the Next Three: Our ambitious three-year roadmap for improving news access for Black communities. Follow along for the next six weeks as we take you on a deep dive into our vision for the the future. Read the full plan here: https://lnkd.in/eFiqTNfp

I'm delighted to share that SBA Consulting has been commissioned by the Black Equity Organisation (BEO) to design their Evaluation Framework. This work will involve co-designing a framework that strengthens how BEO captures, measures and communicates their impact across their six strategic pillars - from economic empowerment and justice to education, health, culture and representation. The framework will support BEO to evidence their contribution to systemic change, embed a culture of learning, and ensure that insights from programmes and partnerships inform ongoing strategy and advocacy. Black Equity Organisation is currently marking the anniversary of the 1965 Race Relations Act with a powerful campaign and short film premiere, reflecting on nearly 60 years of progress, and the inequalities that persist today. The film explores how, while legislation has evolved, the lived reality for many Black Britons remains shaped by bias and systemic injustice. Head to www.blackequityorg.com or their latest Linkedin post to watch the trailer!

The Economics of Black Creativity: Visibility, Access, and the Power of Support In every creative industry, from film to fashion, design to digital storytelling, Black creativity has always shaped the culture, right from the time of our ancestors. But it’s often celebrated for its beauty without considering the financial side of it. We see the inspiration, the dedication, the talent and its impact on the community, but rarely the systems that keeps it going. That’s the reality of Black creative industry: it shapes the world, yet remains underfunded. Visibility Without Value Black creators shape culture, trends, and redefine creativity with their influence across al industries. From viral social media trends to afrobeats, cultural influence is very evident. But while visibility has grown, access to fair pay, funding, and opportunity still hasn’t progressed. Too often, Black creativity is celebrated but not supported, and this often leads to a cycle. One where talent is recognised but not valued, because we forget that visibility doesn’t always equal power, access or funding. Access Is the Real Currency Many creatives are left to survive in a system where there are limited opportunities, support and funding. However, access to platforms, mentorship, networks, and capital is what truly drives growth. Without it, innovation suffers. The next great filmmaker or designer might already exist, but without the right backing, their work remains unseen. The Role of Community and Collaboration Across history, Black creatives are known to have created opportunities for themselves, even when the odds were against them. From community theatres to digital platforms, collaboration has always been our way of survival and success. That same vision is what drives Create Ensemble to help Black Creatives reach stages where their voices can be heard louder, connect communities, and make creativity accessible to all. Redefining Investment Supporting Black creativity isn’t about charity; it’s about investing value that’s beneficial to us and generations to come. When we sow into Black art, we invest in innovation, culture, and long-term impact. As we celebrate Black History, the question remains: What steps can brands take to truly invest in Black creativity, not just in moments, but in movements? It begins with recognition. And sustains through real, measurable support. At Create Ensemble, We’re building bridges between talent, opportunity, and community, because creativity shouldn’t have to fight for space to exist. Join the conversation. Support a creator. Build with intention.