About the Institute

Short History

1992 - Professor Emeritus L. Bessner from the Accounting Department of Concordia University provided the Faculty of Commerce and Administration with a grant of $7,500 to conduct a feasibility study on the need for management and entrepreneurial training in the Black English-speaking Community. This research was conducted by Dave McKenzie, a graduate Student in the Graduate Diploma in Institutional Administration under the direction of Dr. Clarence Bayne.

1993 - In response to the needs established by the study, the Minority Institute was established in the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies and Small Business Management, Concordia University.

1999 - The name was changed from the Minority Institute to the Entrepreneurship Institute for the Development of Minority Communities

2007 - The name was changed from the Entrepreneurship Institute for the Development of Minority Communities to the Institute for Community Entrepreneurship and Development.

Highlights

Eleven year relationship with the Cree Nations of Northern Quebec delivering training courses and certificate training programs including: community economic development, entrepreneurship, human resource management, conflict management and inter-personal relations, personal finance and office systems technology to Directors of Operations, Economic Development Officers, Treasurers, Benefits Counselors, and Administrative Assistants. Gold Sponsor, Cree Nation of Waswanipi, Business Development Conference 2005 and 2006. Presenters at Regional Job Fair, Chisasibi 2007.

Twelve year relationship with the Black Community organizations conducting research and delivering training courses in leadership, community economic development and entrepreneurship. Currently working with seven Black Community organizations to provide training, technical support and business counseling to young Black Entrepreneurs in the Black Community Economic Development Program. Under this program 5 new businesses launched in 2004 and 7 to be launched in 2005/2006. The goal is 25 over the next 5 years.

Assist the Black Studies Centre in incubating entrepreneurs, establishing a computer centre and business library and archiving Black community history.

Conducted workshops in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management for the National Association of Canadians of Origins in India (NACOI).

Conducted training seminars in Leadership and Community Development, and Community Development and Entrepreneurship for Saputiit Youth Association of Nunavik and Kivalliq Inuit Association of Nunavut.

Part of a consortium of professors and programs at Concordia and McGill universities working with Black and Aboriginal Community organizations, motivating and training youth from Black, Aboriginal, and other Visible Minority Communities in developing a culture of entrepreneurship, via a web portal to business and knowledge management skills.