Canadian law firm Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP has announced five winners of its fourth annual Black-Owned Small Business Grant.

Five Black-owned businesses from across Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary will receive $20,000, expert advice on sustainable growth, and pro bono legal services from the firm as they grow their companies.

Among the recipients is InfiniGuard Security, a security social enterprise based in Regent Park, Toronto. It provides free security training and livable wages to at-risk youth, women, and newcomers to Canada. Furthermore, it offers concierge services for condominiums, building security for arts and culture buildings, key holding services for residential spaces managed by Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), mobile services for commercial spaces, and event security for events across Toronto. The company is looking to curb gun violence in the area by providing opportunities for at-risk youth.

“The Cassels Black-Owned Small Business Grant will be vital in helping us to create lasting opportunities in supporting our mission to provide free security training and livable wages to at-risk youth, women, and newcomers to Canada,” Murwan Khogali, executive director of InfiniGuard Security, said in a statement.

He added that he expects the grant to play a vital role in developing their security and social enterprise and eventually wants to expand the program outside of Regent Park.

“We have essentially grown since the pandemic, and there's a lot of pressure on our administrative staff, so this is going to go toward hiring a youth assistant. We also want to create a promotional video to put our business out there more,” Khogali said.

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Other recipients include Kelly-Ann John, Sherese Jury Florent, Sherrise Joseph, Shernese Joseph, Jerommy John, and Bloson Florent of Isle of Freight; Nadia Tchoumi of New Hope Media; Becky Sanda of Rimma’s Naturals; and Phoebe Tagoe of Sohlo.

Isle of Freight’s mission is to assist Caribbean diasporas with reliable, cost-effective, and technologically advanced shipping services, predominately offering barrel shipping and shipment tracking services. It allows Caribbean residents to shop online. Meanwhile, New Hope Media helps small non-profits boost their presence in the community and build a better relationship with the media.

Rimma’s Naturals is a clean beauty and natural skincare line founded in 2019. Likewise, in Toronto, Sohlo is an online platform for independent beauty and grooming service providers (e.g., hair, barbers, brows, etc.).

With support from Wheaton Precious Metals, the 2023 grant is expected to create opportunities for young entrepreneurs within the Black business community, says Bethany McKoy, co-chair of the Cassels Black Affinity Group and Grant Oversight Committee.

She added that the Black-Owned Small Business Grant has awarded over $432,000 over the last four years.

“We believe in driving economic empowerment and strive to create opportunities for young entrepreneurs within the Black business community. Giving back is ingrained in our values, and this initiative is a testament to Cassels’ dedication to making a positive impact on the communities we serve. As we proudly enter the fourth year of this initiative, we remain dedicated to — and take pride in — fostering diversity and economic growth.”