Introducing Black Business Direct: A New, National Directory for Black-owned Businesses
Written byOver the last few years, we have challenged ourselves to be different and better, and this has included a commitment to becoming an anti-racist company.
We’ve updated our Community Guidelines so that all users on the platform understand what’s expected when using Uber. We’ve rolled out anti-racism modules for drivers. And we’ve also doubled down on our product design to make it more inclusive, and meet the needs of customers across race, gender, age, and ability. But a huge place where Uber can make a difference is in the communities in which we operate.
Today, we’re excited to share that together with the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC), we’re launching Black Business Direct — the newest national digital directory by a national Black led non-profit organization. Black Business Direct is free to join, and free to view, and will be a comprehensive, easy to access resource that Canadians can use to discover and support local Black-owned businesses.
Our support for Black Business Direct is part of our ongoing efforts to support Canadian Black-owned businesses in the community. Last year, we committed to $0 Delivery Fees for Black-owned restaurants till December, and offered $500 in vouchers to dozens of Black-owned small and medium sized businesses in Canada. We also supported CBCC’s Ethnic Food Incubator, and provided financial support and mentorship to Black-owned restaurants through the Black Businesses Matter Matching Fund.
“Uber is a company that powers movement, which is the essence of liberty. So it’s essential that we continue to channel our global breadth and technology to confront systemic racism and step up as an ally to the communities we serve,” said Tony West, Uber’s Chief Legal Officer. “We are proud to partner with the CBCC to launch Black Business Direct and support thousands of Black-owned businesses across the country.”
The directory currently has 200+ listings, with plans to add new businesses every day. When we asked local businesses what they thought of a directory, here’s what they had to say:
“A Black business directory is important because it allows for businesses to be seen without getting lost in the shuffle. Some businesses rely heavily on their community to support them but if owners can’t afford to spend on marketing and advertising, it becomes very hard for them to gain exposure. A directory will allow for more voices to be heard and create more opportunities for small businesses to become competitive.” Colin Elvis, Founder, BIPOC Futures
”Creating a directory like this is so needed for our community. Within the past year, I’ve been noticing that people want to support Black-owned businesses, and have been searching for a way to access lists of Canadian Black businesses. This directory will make it so much easier for people to show their support for Black entrepreneurs.” Necole Hines, Founder, Faded Living
‘‘Black entrepreneurs are incredible innovators and make a tremendous contribution to the Canadian economy. The directory will serve as a powerful tool and contribute in an impactful way to the community business ecosystem. This incredible partnership with Uber Canada, creates the opportunity to support Canadian Black-owned companies to be championed and supported.” Chistelle Francois, President, Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce
Canadian Black-owned businesses can register now to be part of the directory.