Progress has been made to eliminate some of the barriers Black people face in the business world. For example, the BlackNorth Initiative, an organization seeking to end systemic anti-Black racism, reports that it has met its initial targets for representation on business boards. However, Black Canadians still face higher unemployment and lower wages.

AT UTSC, one student club is hoping to make a difference. Black Students in Business (BSB), founded in 2018, aims to empower Black students in business and create a more supportive community for them. 

Kyla Sanda, a fourth-year economics for management student and current co-president of the club, wrote in an email to The Varsity that “[BSB’s] core mission goes beyond simply placing students in front of employers, seeking to provide practical opportunities that help bridge the gap between who students aspire to become and where they currently are.” 

The club hosts workshops, leadership opportunities, and more to help students develop vital skills for success in the professional world.

How BSB achieve goals

When asked how the club works toward its mission, Sanda wrote that BSB fosters “an intentional community where our networks become our friends, questions flow with genuine curiosity, and where opportunities are both shared and created!” 

A valuable network that the club consistently uses and builds is its alumni network. It includes graduates — including past club presidents — who provide “consistent insight” into their professional journeys. Having navigated similar paths, these alumni offer members a direct and relatable point. 

BSB also works to build strong relationships with other clubs, faculty, and administrative staff. “[By doing this], we’re able to advocate effectively, have a voice in every room, access resources, and create stronger alignment between student needs and university support or initiatives,” Sanda wrote. 

She especially believes that fostering a community where members can openly share their dreams and networks creates an atmosphere where students act as “peer mentors” to one another, supporting each other’s growth in business. 

BSB’s approach to facing setbacks

Sanda wrote that while organizations continue to work toward promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives, “there is always room for continued growth and accountability.” BSB aims to contribute by helping students develop skills for the industries they hope to enter, though the club encounters setbacks along the way. 

“One of the earliest lessons we absorb is that nothing ever goes exactly as planned,” Sanda wrote. She emphasized the importance of remaining adaptable and resilient in the face of difficulties. She told The Varsity that, “In BSB, we learn to persevere, to pivot when necessary, and to remain solution-oriented in the face of uncertainty. That adaptability becomes one of the most important skills we carry with us into professional spaces.”

Impact Expo

BSB’s flagship event is its Impact Expo, a career fair where Black students from across Canada can network with various companies. The Expo features panel discussions, networking sessions, a LinkedIn headshot booth, and a shared lunch. 

According to Sanda, the event helps students secure internship or post-grad employment opportunities, while also fostering “insights, inspiration, and long-lasting relationships.” She wrote that the expo encourages participants to ask “what’s next, and how do we achieve it together.”

The 2026 Impact Expo took place on January 17 and featured industry professionals from areas like consulting, finance, entertainment, and law. “The fact is that business is everywhere, and with this Expo we want students to see themselves reflected in a variety of professional paths,” Sanda wrote.

She added that the Expo is particularly valuable for students, as you can even connect with people based on hobbies and interests, noting that “the best networking conversation sparks up from a mere hobby in common!”

Sanda encouraged students to get involved with BSB regardless of their academic background. She wrote that, “Your skills, perspectives, and experiences have value in this field and in our network, just as you will leave our events with something valuable in return.”

Sanda emphasized the importance of putting yourself out there, even if you have cold feet. “What I’ve come to realize is that getting yourself in the room is the most important first step, but engagement truly allows you to maximize and uncover opportunities.”