FACILITATING ACCESS TO MENTORS AND MORE IN CANADA For small businesses, mentorship can be a valuable tool for solving difficult business challenges—and it’s a resource that many Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs in Canada lack. In a survey we commissioned of Canadian business owners, close to half (48%) of BIPOC respondents reported that they lacked mentors to help solve difficult business challenges, compared to just 32% of white entrepreneurs. 11 We responded with the Blueprint: Backing BIPOC Businesses ™ mentorship and grant program. The mentorship program, made possible by a grant from the American Express Foundation, brought in seasoned mentors and subject-matter experts to talk about topics ranging from strategic planning and leadership to operations management and financial modeling. One hundred participants from British Columbia to Newfoundland took part in group workshops, one-on-one coaching, and small group learning sessions. “ As a Black entrepreneur, I’ve always struggled with not only raising capital but finding a mentor and other BIPOC entrepreneurs to connect with,” says Harry Julmice, Owner of the Montreal-based content and production agency Never Was Average. “Through the Blueprint program, I’m hopeful that the mentorship component will help me save time, resources, and energy by providing me with the tools, guidance, and support I need to achieve my goals and build a sustainable business,” he adds. “ Women make up such a small percentage of Canadians working in the construction sector, and one of my goals is to help reduce some of those barriers to entry,” says Miyoko Oikawa, Owner of Toronto-based construction consulting company Building Energy Matters. “The mentor I’ve been matched with is assisting me in my development as an industry leader, and I’m confident that guidance will help me pay it forward with supporting other women in the industry.” We supplemented this effort with $10,000 grants for each of the 100 participants to fuel the growth of their business. In addition, all eligible businesses among the program’s 1,000-plus applicants received access to the “Launchpad for Blueprint” online skills development platform. Each one of the 100 participants received a $10,000 grant to fuel the growth of their business. $10K 11. This survey was conducted by The Nielsen Company on behalf of American Express from April 9 to April 29, 2021, among 1,124 Canadian business owners or partners in small or medium enterprises, 596 of which self-identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color (BIPOC) and 528 of which self-identify as white. INTRODUCTION PROMOTING DE&I ADVANCING CLIMATE SOLUTIONS BUILDING FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE OUR ESG GOVERNANCE & OPERATING RESPONSIBLY SUPPORTING DATA OUR COMMITMENT TO ESG 74