18 Events, 5 Cities, One Mission: The Nobellum BHM Impact Tour
February wasn’t just a month of celebration; it was a month of massive movement. While the calendar only has 28 days, the Nobellum team operated as if it had 60. From the hallowed halls of the Senate in Ottawa to innovation hubs in Brampton and Mississauga, we were everywhere.
We successfully "divided and conquered" the most significant month of the year. Malcolm Wright led high-level policy advocacy in Ottawa and Gatineau; Kathryn Lawrence steered our presence at major civic and gala engagements; Calvin Pascall served as our voice at corporate and municipal summits across the GTA; and Melisa Ellis projected our vision across the virtual stage. We made sure that wherever the future of Black STEM was being discussed, Nobellum was at the table.
February 2 | Brampton Innovation District
We kicked off the month with the City of Brampton and the Rotary Club. Malcolm Wright and Kathryn Lawrence engaged with civic leaders to ensure Black leadership is baked into the city's tech-driven future.
February 3 | The Virtual Stage
Melisa Ellis took the mic for the SETSI Black Futures Month session, delivering a masterclass on social economy and capacity strengthening for the modern founder.
February 3 | State of the City (Brampton)
While Melisa was virtual, our team was on the ground at the Brampton Board of Trade, aligning Nobellum’s mission with the city’s economic development roadmap.
February 3 | Roundtable on Black Businesses with Minister Rechie Valdez
In Ottawa, we joined the Liberal Black Caucus for a sit-down with the Minister of Small Business. This was a direct line to provide policy feedback on federal support and capital access for Black business owners.
February 4 | Nation Builder Awards
At the Empire Club of Canada, we celebrated the resilience of the Canadian spirit and connected with the leaders shaping the country’s next chapter of excellence.
February 4 | 30 Years of Brilliance
We represented Nobellum at the Government of Canada’s national 30th-anniversary celebration of Black History Month at the Canadian Museum of History.
February 4 | Senate Discussion: Black History Month at 30
In the Senators’ Lounge, we joined Senator Amina Gerba and FACE to discuss the Black Communities Loan Fund. Alongside Growth Stream founder Chevon Riley, we ensured that the voices of real entrepreneurs are shaping the next decade of federal funding.
February 5 | BEKH Partner Roundtable
At Carleton University, we contributed to the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) research agenda, focusing on the data that will drive ecosystem growth through 2028.
February 5 | The Black Diamond Ball
RBC hosted "The Vocalist," where we swapped policy for partnerships, connecting with the creative leaders driving the culture forward.
February 6 | FBC Leadership Breakfast
We wrapped a heavy first week with the Federation of Black Canadians, joining a cross-sector panel to tackle solutions for Black youth unemployment.
February 11 | Path to Prosperity 2030
Invest Mississauga unveiled their new economic roadmap. We were there with Mayor Carolyn Parrish to ensure our founders are positioned at the center of the city’s investment priorities.
February 18 | Small Business Information Expo (SBIE)
In Whitby, Malcolm Wright took the stage as a panelist for Procurement Assistance Canada, helping founders navigate the complexities of government contracting.
February 19 | National Capital Gaps Roundtable
Melisa Ellis joined the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) to provide strategic recommendations on the federal $750M capital announcement.
February 20 | BMO x Md Gallery Celebration
At the BMO Eaton Centre, Calvin Pascall delivered remarks on why the intersection of art, tech, and entrepreneurship is the new frontier for Black excellence.
February 21 | Power of Community (POC) 2026
A high-energy Saturday began at the Black Founders Network (U of T), where we engaged with the next generation of STEM innovators on the ground.
February 21 | MPP Andrea Hazell & Ontario Liberal Caucus
We joined MPP Andrea Hazell and the Ontario Liberal Caucus at Centennial College to strengthen our provincial ties and celebrate the impact of Black leadership in Ontario.
February 25 | Ecosystem Connects: AI Talent Mobility
At Toronto City Hall, we joined investors and academia to discuss Canada’s competitive advantage in the global AI landscape.
February 26 | Empire Nights
We closed the tour at the Arcadian Loft for an Empire Nights session in partnership with Accelerate Auto, exploring growth across the new trade frontiers of Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada.
The Road Ahead
This month was about more than just visibility; it was about institutional readiness and building bridges. By showing up at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, we’ve ensured that Nobellum’s founders are positioned at the forefront of Canada’s economic roadmap. As we move into March and beyond, we are turning these conversations into capital, these connections into opportunity, and this momentum into a sustainable future for the Black STEM ecosystem.
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY & BECOME A MEMBER
We are turning momentum into a mandate. Stay connected as we continue to scale Black STEM excellence across the globe.
