Here’s something I have always wondered about: Why is it that we don’t see more Black entrepreneurs? I encourage those who can shed some light on this issue to help me out because I am extremely sincere in my questioning.

While both my parents worked extremely hard at their respective jobs, I wouldn’t say that they were exactly entrepreneurs. Perhaps that was just their choice. I mean, they provided more than adequately for my brother and me so I guess that’s the main thing. But I remember looking around and hardly seeing any Black people who were business owners and doing their own thing.

That’s why it was a bit of an eye opener when I sat down with Kevin Pennant, owner of Pennant Media Group.

This young man created his own Public Relations company. And to my shock I saw first hand how this is done: both of his parents had created their own companies! His dad had a fiberglass company and his mom ran a lucrative furniture store. Pennant agrees that back in the day (and I would argue even today) we didn’t see too much of this. When I probed as to what triggered his folks to go this route, he shrugged and said, “I guess they just had that drive” Surely the answer can’t be that simple! There must have been a number of folks who shared that same determination. Whatever the case, you’d be forgiven if you assumed that a young Kevin Pennant picked something up from seeing his parents in action.

But what about being Black and being an entrepreneur? One would expect that Pennant faced a number of challenges. “Yes I did, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. A lot of doors and opportunities have been taken away from me or not given to me. But on the flipside it’s also been the other way around.”

If you read between the lines it’s all about making good on opportunities that are presented to you and not dwelling on the ones that aren’t. All of a sudden this sounds very similar to the conversation I had with NHL goalie Kevin Weekes - and yet they are from two completely different worlds.

In order for us to have a thriving Black community one of the things we need is to see those Black entrepreneurs and movers and shakers. As pedestrian as it sounds, we still to reinforce that it can be done.

In this same vein Black Canadians have for some time been searching for and desperately needing a unified voice. That's something I hope to encounter as I hit the streets.

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I recently had a chat with a reporter who, like me, was diving into the depths of Black History Month. Our conversation covered just about everything concerning the issues of this special time of year. What was particularly poignant and refreshing was his sense of passion that was clearly evident in our talk. Here was a guy who although on “assignment” did not exhibit any of the traits of someone who was just going through the motions.

It’s simple really, if you’re passionate about something chances are pretty good that the end result will be a positive one. I do believe that two people sharing a passion or vision can be a catalyst for great future endeavors even if it starts with something as little as having a phone chat on a weekend afternoon.

For me it's little pops of inspiration that keep the bounce in my step and keep me focused to continue to work for the Black community. It's yet another example of what it means to be Black in Canada. I have now committed myself to do more work in this area and not just reserve for the second month in the year

There’s something more that’s happening here though. What if there was even greater dialogue amongst all of our different cultures and ethnicities? Can those of us in media do even a better job to address this issue? I’m thinking that we can because at the core of it is a passion that many of us share.

As we’ll see in some of my next submissions the onus is on us to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Erika Allision Yearwood is a producer for Positive Living Productions, a television, media and corporate video production company.

Erika's a great example of a successful Black Canadian who's not coming from the world of sports or entertainment.

I spoke to Erika for SunTV to find out what drives her success in the modern media world, and to find out what it means to her to be Black in Canada.

Erika says, "It's about pride, it's about strength, it's about love and faith. I'm happy to be Black. I would be born again Black if I had a say in it!"

In my last submission I wrote about Kevin Weekes and the inner fortitude he displayed in living his dream and making a career in a professional sport that is dominated by whites. This accomplishment certainly has its place in history but let’s face it, a lot of us don’t lead the life of a professional athlete. What about middle class folks who are submerged in the day to grind?

A couple weeks ago I spent some time roaming the hallways of Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke in an attempt to get a variety of different perspectives as to what being Black in Canada meant to folks. Aside from a couple of people who clearly had no interest in helping yours truly on this journey, most were more than happy, some downright excited to give their two cents' worth. Perhaps in my inner thoughts I had given up on getting any significant contributions from youth could on this issue but I am really eating my words now.

Some spoke about learning from the sacrifices(albeit American) of civil rights leaders such as Malcom X and Martin Luther King. What’s more they said that they were learning more and more about Black History in school!! What?!!! The phrase ‘these times are a changin” immediately comes to comes to mind. Others voiced their enthusiasm about participating in plays and dances during this special month. Even the ones that couldn’t articulate very well exactly what they wanted to say were passionate, wanted to contribute and genuinely felt a need to be a part of the discussion.

There was a particularly interesting moment. I had asked to speak to a young man at a sporting goods store about a project I was working on; since he was still “on the clock” his manager at first said “no” which I of course understood. But as soon as I said it was for Black History Month the response was, “No problem.” We then proceeded to have a nice ten minute chat.

Towards the end of my time at the trendy mall I did come across a rather highly passionate gentleman who exclaimed, “Sure, we got a month to celebrate Black History Month but hey, it’s the shortest month of the year!” You can’t argue with that but hey, at least we have a month.

This exercise just reinforced my belief that as Black Canadians we must get out there and talk, inquire and discuss - with each other and the world at large. I plan on doing a lot more of it, you’re going to want to stick around.

It’s really crucial that we generate dialogue duringBlack History Month, and I encourage everyone to give us your thoughts on our Black History @ Canoe.ca Facebook page.

Mark

As I continue on this journey I feel like there is something I should tell you. I mean if I’m laying it all out on the table, then you, our readers should definitely be privy to this particular piece of information: I LOVE HOCKEY!!

My affection for this sport borders a mild obsession. Like a lot of youngsters growing up you’d find me braving the plummeting temperatures, risking impending frostbite all in an effort to get a game in. Unfortunately, my dreams of hitting the ice were dashed as my parents, fresh from Jamaica, took a look at this sport and immediately gave it a resounding, “no”. What’s more, my folks looked at it and didn’t see anyone of colour. And don’t forget this was during the era of the “Broadstreet Bullies” where a toothless grin was commonplace and dirty stick work was more of an art form than an infraction.



Nowadays there are by no means a lot of Black players but enough that the average hockey fan could name at least a few. One of those is Kevin Weekes, who contributed a thoughtful post to "In Our Own Words" last winter called "Continue to Advance". That's exactly what Weekes has done. He recently retired as a goaltender after playing for the likes of the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. At one time he was the only Black goalie playing in the NHL.

Recently I had the great fortune of sitting down with Kevin, and I must be honest: it was like looking at someone who had lived my dream.

As he came up through the ranks Kevin admits that there was that sense of responsibility but instead of it being a hindrance he was quick to embrace it. “I definitely felt a responsibility and a sense of really just carrying myself a certain way and also just being an example for a lot of kids regardless of what your background was or your denomination, just an example of what you can accomplish.”

Talking to Kevin, I really got a firm grasp of what life could be for a lot of Black Canadians. This is a fellow who obviously realized that he would be an extreme minority in Canada’s game but he didn’t make it his problem. If there was a problem it was with those who made it into one. He’s quick to point out though that by no means was he a trailblazer and there were many - including Grant Fuhr - who helped pave the way. “He was the guy I was always able to point to cause I knew I wanted to be a goalie so if someone had something silly to say I’d just refer to number 31 and that would pretty much squash the argument.”

Although retired, Kevin Weekes remains active in the game as a commentator for both the NHL Network and CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada. And, you guessed it, he is the only one of colour. When I asked him whether or not this is yet another challenge, the native of Barbados smiled and said, “Now on this side of the business I look at it as a different challenge. I look at it in a lot of ways as history in the making. I’m honoured to do it.”

What really hit home for me and actually felt like a punch to the solar plexus is something he said towards the end of our chat. “The dream I lived was mine, wasn’t my parents but mine.” In essence, it’s that inner fortitude and belief that can help us achieve our dreams even if the deck seems to be stacked against us.
While a lot of Black Canadians wrestle with a variety of challenges it’s not only those in the limelight who are able to overcome them. As we’ll see, those behind the scenes have an impact as well.

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