The Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) has named Frances Delsol, one of Canada’s most prominent Black Community leaders, as its Executive Director. Established in 1983, BBPA is Canada’s most established voice for Black Business. It facilitates programs supporting business and professional excellence, higher education, advocacy, training, communications, and leadership and economic development.
Delsol has previously served BBPA as a director and corporate secretary. “Frances Delsol has one of Canada’s most unique and accomplished resumes,” said president Nadine Spencer. “She combines corporate experience, along with diplomatic practice, and is the recipient of numerous awards and honours including being named to the list of 100 most Accomplished Black Canadian Women. As we expand and create more ways to benefit Black businesses across Canada, Delsol is an excellent choice to manage the many complex programs we are now launching to build capacity to serve the needs of Black businesses, especially as it concerns issues of race and systemic discrimination.
Discrimination in the workplace has been an ongoing hindrance to progress, equality, and efficiency in our society. This is a crucial time for the Black community and Black Businesses. COVID-19 has torn apart the community and shuttered many enterprises. The recovery effort will be long and hard but I am confident that the organization’s many strengths will assist the Black business community in getting back on its feet and rebuilding to an even stronger place.
Frances Delsol
In the corporate world, Delsol served as Bell Canada’s Associate Director, Procurement & Strategic Sourcing, from 1981–2016 and is the three-time recipient of Bell Canada’s “Way to Go” leadership Award. Dominican-born, Delsol served as the Caribbean island’s Canadian representative, promoting and marketing Dominica as a unique tourist destination and an investment opportunity. In addition, she was the Founder & Past President – Council of Caribbean Associations Canada (CCAC) comprising fourteen National Registered Caribbean Associations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts, Administration & Information Management, Ryerson University and a Graduate Diploma (Hons), Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Penn State Univ. In addition, she is a Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (CSCMP) from the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC).
“As a Black woman, Delsol has overcome systemic racism and gender bias throughout her career, which provides her with a level of understanding that is essential for her new post at the BBPA,” Spencer added. “Her corporate and diplomatic background will assist the BBPA in relating to the government and Canada’s most prominent businesses as they assist us in advancing our many economic development, education and leadership programs. Our members and the Black community as a whole wants an equal opportunity to advance — with equal pay — and authentic and a meaningful seat in the corridors of power — and Frances is the ideal person to help advance that agenda.”
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