Episode 26: Downtown Halifax Covid 19 Report 14, June 15, 2020 - Rustum Southwell, CEO of the Black Business Initiative

A conversation with Rustum Southwell, CEO of the Black Business Initiative, or BBI, in Downtown Halifax. He is going to talk to us about the work that the BBI is doing in Halifax and the importance of black business owners in our community.

Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission, will give us updates on DHBC’s virtual AGM, latest advocacy efforts, and two DHBC business grants available to DHBC members.

We’ll also review what businesses have been doing since the Nova Scotia government announced, on June 5, the easing of restrictions as the next steps of reopening the province. We’ll then finish with what to expect when entering a business in Downtown Halifax and how you can support them during this gradual re-energizing of the economy.

Producers: Ivy Ho and Allana MacDonald Mills

Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC)

104-1546 Barrington Street

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3X7

(902) 423-6658

Hosts: Allana MacDonald Mills and Ivy Ho

Guests:

· Paul MacKinnon, CEO, Downtown Halifax Business Commission https://downtownhalifax.ca/

· Rustum Southwell, CEO of the Black Business Initiative http://www.bbi.ca/

Special thanks to: Michael Boyd, owner of Podcast Atlantic

Recorded & Edited by: Michael Boyd of Podcast Atlantic

Visit us at: downtownhalifax.ca

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: @DowntownHalifax

Music: “Patching Holes (in a Sinking Ship)” by Bigideas

Email us at: ivy@downtownhalifax.ca or allana@downtownhalifax.ca