BARRIE, Ont., Feb. 27, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPlift Black, the organization that runs the UPlift Black Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion in downtown Barrie, is proud to announce they are the recipients of 2 separate project funds.
“You Belong Here” provides settlement services to LGBTQI+** newcomers and is made possible by the 2SLGBTQIA+ Project Fund granted by the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality. This program is already underway.
The “Accelerate Your Proud Business Program” is an investment readiness program serving BIPOC 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. Funded by the 2SLGBTQIA+ Entrepreneur Ecosystem Fund which is granted by the Canadian Gay Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) in partnership with the Government of Canada, this program launches in spring 2025.
UPlift Black is looking for participants and mentors to facilitate these newly funded programs.
“It’s great to be recognized as leaders in our community for ensuring representation of the 2SLGBTQI+ focus in our business ecosystem. Mostly I’m just incredibly proud to see our local regional serving orgs getting national attention for groundbreaking work we’re doing.” says President and Founder of UPlift Black, Shelly-Ann Skinner. “I’m so proud that we’re the first to offer [programs and services] for LGBTQI+** newcomers, and that we’re also the first for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, and all the ways this work we’re doing is rippling across Canada.”
UPlift Black was originally turned down for the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneur Ecosystem, but were later approached and invited to apply to a 2nd round of funding, due to the fact that the CGLCC was unable to find any other organizations focussed on meeting the needs of those with intersectional identities, specifically BIPOC 2SLGBTQI+ folks.
UPlift Black is looking for participants for both programs
If you or someone you know is a LGBTQI+** newcomer to Canada, please contact program coordinator Patrick Msewigye by emailing patrick@upliftblack.org to connect with this local settlement program.
If you or someone you know is a BIPOC 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneur, please contact program coordinator Shelly-Ann Skinner by emailing shelly-ann@upliftblack.org.
If you have the entrepreneurial skills, education and/or experience to facilitate workshops and/or provide mentorship to participants of the “Accelerate Your Proud Business” Investment Readiness Program, please apply by visiting upliftblack.org/business.
UPlift Black aims to increase visibility, cultivate community, and provide support systems for the most equity seeking individuals in our community. We primarily serve the Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Simcoe County through arts, culture, activism, youth development, and community building. All equity seeking individuals are welcome and accepted as part of our community. We offer programming and truly safe spaces through our UPlift Black Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion located at the 5 points in the heart of downtown Barrie.
**UPlift Black acknowledges that the "2S" of the "2SLGBTQI+" acronym refers to the Indigenous occupants of Turtle Island, and therefore we make the conscious decision to drop the "2S" when naming and discussing programs and policies that affect newcomers to Canada specifically. The Government of Canada, Health Data Research Network Canada the Canadian Press Style Guide all adopt 2SLGBTQI+ as the inclusive standard, which we adhere to when sending press releases, grant applications and other official forms for readability and consistency.
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