Are you interested in learning how to support equity in your community and work towards your diversity and inclusion goals?

Purchasing Power is a six part speaker series featuring several experts who are putting the principles of a social value marketplace into action, hosted by the British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI).

In this event, we look at how social procurement can support diversity and inclusion. Kristi Fairholm-Mader, series moderator and project manager for BCSPI, is joined by two leaders in this area: Nerissa Allen from the Black Business Association of BC and Dugan Selkirk from Community Futures BC.

Nerissa Allen is an entrepreneur and community leader. Nerissa is Owner & Director of Chattelhouse Health and Beauty Inc, a Registered Massage Therapy clinic and global brand known for clean skincare, and she is also the Co-Founder & President of Black Business Association of BC. BBABC supports black business and entrepreneurship through leadership development, programs to increase market access, skills development, networking, and opportunities to input into policy decision making at various levels of government.

Nerissa has spent the majority of her career in leadership roles, redefining how women of colour are perceived in the workplace. Serving on cultural and economic development boards keeps Nerissa in tune with the community and places her in a unique position to speak on challenges facing the Black business community and perspective with respect to formulating progressive generational change.

Dugan Selkirk is an entrepreneur, investor, advisor, and father with over 20 years experience launching and financing start ups with experience as CEO, CTO and CRO. Dugan is deeply committed to making a positive contribution to the world his children are growing into. Dugan is currently business advisor to the Community Futures – Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program and Rise Asset Development, providing start-up financing for entrepreneurs recovering from addiction and mental illness.

The Purchasing Power series will explore how local governments and institutions can use purchasing power to address the issues that matter to your community. Upcoming topics are:

• Feb TBA: How can social procurement address climate change
• Feb TBA: Purchasing Power wrap-up

To learn more about how BCSPI can empower your purchasing, explore bcspi.ca.