February is Black Histories &
Futures Month

Explore stories of Black Smith alumni and students who are making a positive impact on their communities and society.

Janey Buzugbe

MMIE’18

Founder, Immiducation
Career Coach and YouTube Creator

Janey Buzugbe, MMIE’18, faced challenges she wasn’t prepared for as an immigrant, so she started a business to help fellow newcomers.

Learn how her startup, Immiducation, is helping combat under-employment among Canadian immigrants. Read article

Oluseyi Smith

EMBAA’23

Founder, Racing to Zero
Distribution Engineer, Hydro Ottawa

Two-time Olympian, Oluseyi Smith, EMBAA’23, has seen first-hand the environmental impact of international sporting events.

Can sports be sustainable? Find out how his business, Racing to Zero, is helping sport organizations go green. Read article

Colin Lynch

BCom’07, Artsci’07

Co-Founder, Black Opportunity Fund
Managing Director and Head of Global Real Estate Investments, TD Asset Management

In 2020, Colin Lynch, BCom’07, helped co-found the Black Opportunity Fund to provide capital and supports to elevate Black businesses, charities and non-profit organizations.

Discover how Colin and the BOF are challenging anti-Black racism in Canada by investing in the potential of Black communities. Read more

Ruvimbo Chimutsa

MMIE’20

Founder, The Grace & Nelly Project

Ruvimbo Chimutsa, MMIE’20, was 19 years old she left her home in Zimbabwe to study in Canada. Now, thousands of miles away, she is focused on reducing poverty in her homeland.

Learn how her entrepreneurial venture, The Grace and Nelly Project, is reducing barriers for women and girls in rural communities and empowering them to thrive. Read article

Victoria Chukwuma

Comm’23

Co-Founder, Smith Black Business Association

In 2020, Victoria Chuckwuma, Comm'23, co-founded the Smith Black Business Association to be a safe space and resource for Black students.

Getting the association off the ground wasn't easy. Discover why Victoria felt it had to be done. Read more

Aziz Garuba

AMBA’12

Founder, Made to Lead Podcast
Director, Business Architecture & Strategy, RBC Capital Markets

Aziz Garuba, AMBA’12, says it can sometimes be easy to use the same paintbrush to label a whole group of people, particularly Black individuals. So, he launched, Made to Lead, a podcast that showcases the unique personal and professional stories of leaders of African descent.

Read his story, and how he is helping to tell the stories of amazing Black leaders around the world. Read article

Hakeem Subair

MMIE'17

Co-Founder, 1 Million Teachers

While living and working in his home country of Nigeria, Hakeem Subair, MMIE’17, saw first-hand the problems within the education system. He believed he could help.

Learn how he came to co-found a social enterprise, 1 Million Teachers, that is providing essential training for teachers in sub-Saharan Africa. Read more