Ali Soumah was named winner of the Black Entrepreneur of the Year award by CanadianSME Small Business Magazine.

He was presented the award at the magazine's annual gala presentation May 5.

“First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to the Almighty for granting me the strength and guidance to pursue my dreams…” Soumah, founder and CEO of A.S. Business Center, based in Toronto, said in a LinkedIn post.

“My entrepreneurial journey began in a Black immigrant family, where I was nurtured with an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong desire to help others. I discovered my gift of coaching, motivating, and inspiring people to pursue their goals. I knew I could use my skills and talent in finance, accounting, taxation, and business to make a difference. And that's how the A.S Business Center came to be.”

A.S. Business Center, led by Soumah, is a multi-specialized firm that offers integrated solutions to entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses in Ontario and Quebec. It provides support for business challenges, modelling strategies, and more.

Soumah said that receiving the award is “a true testament to the power of determination and hard work.”

“I would like to thank my family, employees, friends, and clients, as well as everyone who has supported me throughout my journey,” he said. “Your unwavering support and encouragement have been instrumental in my success.

“I am grateful for this recognition, and I hope to continue inspiring people like me to be proud of who they are, work hard, and achieve their dreams.”

Soumah was nominated along with five other Black business leaders. See the list of nominees here.