Andrew Brown

Associate Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage Sous-ministre délégué, Patrimoine canadien

Creating Connections: Building bridges together as Black Business Stakeholders

Andrew (il, lui; he, him) was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage in May 2024. Prior to this appointment, he worked as Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and has been working at ESDC since 2014 on Employment Insurance policy, pandemic benefits policy and labour issues. Most recently, he was the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for skills and employment programming. Earlier in his career, Andrew worked as an Advisor at the Privy Council Office on files related to the Canada-United States border from 2012 until 2014; and on citizenship, immigration and refugee programs in Canada and abroad. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science (with Honours) degree from Queen’s University (Kingston) and a doctorate in Physics from the University of Alberta.

Black Opportunity Fund (BOF)

Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) is a community-led registered Canadian Charitable organization, that supports a  prosperous, healthy and thriving Black Canada by challenging anti-Black racism in two ways by:

  1. Responding to long-standing underinvestment in Black communities 
  2. Working nationally to strengthen collective actions by Black organizations and leaders, helping them to create new and more impactful ways to support and advocate for our community. 

 

BOF prioritizes initiatives around education and youth, health, women and gender, criminal justice, entrepreneurship, arts, culture and recreation, and food insecurity, that impact the quality of life in Black communities across Canada.  

Upcoming events to highlight:

  • BOF x ByBlacks National Restaurant Week: we are a lead sponsor for the ByBlacks National Restaurant Week, Spring edition 2024 which runs from May 20 to 26, 2024.  ByBlacks Restaurant Week (BRW) is a semi-annual national food festival. During this event, Black-owned Canadian restaurants, caterers, pop-ups, and food trucks offer a Prix Fixe (special) menu or a $10 special discounted by up to 25% for seven days. Join us in this week-long celebration of culinary diversity! There are a number of restaurants in Western Canada participating so check it out: https://byblacks.com/restaurantweek

 

  • BOF x DoorDash #BlackFoodEnergy grant program: BOF has confirmed funding for the #BlackFoodEnergy grant program for Black Restaurants across Canada for the next 4 years. #BlackFoodEnergy celebrates, amplifies and supports Black Chefs and Black-Owned restaurants and the amazing things they are serving up in neighborhoods across Canada. The funding commitment for the extended agreement will be announced in June 2024 along with the launch of the #BlackFoodEnergy grant

Juno

Juno develops a compact, discreet and wearable device that eliminates menstrual pain instantly and over long periods.

Work and Chill Games

Work and Chill Games is a platform that helps companies find and book fun activities for their employees. It makes it easy for companies to plan engaging experiences that boost team spirit and productivity. With Work and Chill Games, employees can enjoy memorable activities that make work more enjoyable and build a positive work culture.