The GBCC Black Business Collective Bulletin 

Welcome to your fourth edition!

In this quarterly bulletin, you will find opportunities, events and content all aimed at, and curated for, the black business community.

Our partners

Thinking Business - Adapt, grow and succeed

Trowers & Hamlins has launched the latest issue of Thinking Business.

The law firm's bi-annual publication shares insights into topical issues to help businesses adapt, grow and succeed in a rapidly changing world. 

This edition includes:  Managing EDI in a time of political change – with a tumultuous view coming from the west about EDI, we discuss the importance of it within the workplace for businesses in the UK Embracing AI’s opportunities and challenges for business data – with AI continuing to be one of the hot topics for businesses, we take a look how it can affect your business data, whether it is a boon or if it’s a hindrance Devolution plans create business opportunities – with Devolution giving local authorities more powers, we discuss how this positively affects businesses

We hope you’ll enjoy reading this and that you’ll find some interesting food for thought over the course of the following pages.

 In our recent news

Business park welcomes new café to its community

Mentoring programme launched to support aspiring Black lawyers

Aston Villa Foundation celebrates Benjamin Zephaniah Localism Awards

The Aston Villa Foundation has celebrated the work of 10 individuals through the Benjamin Zephaniah Localism Awards.

The awards connect to the ‘supporting’ pillar of the Foundation’s strategic function, exploring how the Foundation can play a role in empowering and becoming an advocate for micro-community and charitable organisations within the city of Birmingham. 

Coinciding with Benjamin Zephaniah Day, the awards honour the life and legacy of the legendary writer and poet, casting a spotlight on those who have embodied 'localism' in their community:

Included in the recipients is Keith Shayaam-Smith, vice-chair of the Black Business Collective.

Keith is described as a positive role model for local black creatives and social entrepreneurs. He is nominated for the award for his contributions to the Legacy Centre of Excellence in Newtown, where both creatives and entrepreneurs can expand and develop their skills to thrive in competitive markets.

Sponsor content:

What start-up founders need to know about the law

Amardeep Gill, a Partner at Trowers & Hamlins, talks about the importance of law, IP and some of the different challenges startups face from a legal point of view.

Innovate UK Business Growth

Innovate UK Business Growth offers tailored support to small and medium-sized innovation-driven SMEs in the UK.

The programme aims to help businesses scale by providing resources, advice and opportunities across various stages of growth. Services range from protecting intellectual property to accessing global markets and investment readiness support.

Innovation Funding Service

The Innovation Funding Service, managed by Innovate UK, is a platform that enables UK-based businesses and research organisations to search for and apply to various government-backed funding opportunities.

These opportunities support activities such as researching and developing new products, processes or services; testing innovative ideas, and collaborating with other organisations.

Thinking about global expansion?

Join the Business Export Exchange Programme (BEEP) Export Bootcamp

Get export-ready fast and with confidence

For export-curious early-stage #Founders who want to test global market feasibility, the BEEP Export Bootcamp on Thursday 29^th May will help you to:

👉🏽 Meet the delivery team and international expansion expert mentors and coaches

👉🏽 Preview the Export Bootcamp curriculum and microcredential stack

👉🏽 Get tips on building your export operations and network with other founders

SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme

As part of International Trade Centre’s flagship Women and Trade programme, the UK-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme aims to connect women entrepreneurs from selected countries in Africa and Asia, to global markets – particularly to the UK.

They are launching a Call for Expressions of Interest for UK companies looking to source from Nigeria, in which selected UK companies will be invited to participate in various B2B activities. These could include the UK – Nigeria Trade Mission or virtual B2B networking sessions with relevant women-led suppliers – based on matching with suitable Nigerian suppliers.

Made in the Gambia – Gambia’s Good Market

1st place Business Travel, based in Birmingham, is proud to be part of the Gambia Start-up Chambers of Commerce campaign! Together, they aim to drive innovation, collaboration and growth in the startup community. 

If are you an entrepreneur in the tourism or creative sectors, then you don’t want to miss the opportunity to be part of Gambia’s Good Market (GGM) - a vibrant monthly pop-up experience that celebrates the creativity and talent of youth and women in The Gambia’s tourism and creative industries.

Birmingham Black Business Show 2025

Saturday 14^th June

9:00am - 6:00pm

The NEC, Hall 10, Birmingham

60 free tickets available until the end of May!

4,000+ face-to-face attendees

70+ live speakers

100+ exhibition stands

Get ready for the electrifying return of Birmingham Black Business Show in 2025!

With an exclusive lineup of speakers, panel discussions, workshops, 1-on-1 free career/business advice, this event provides a unique and exciting space for people and organisations to network, discuss and take action on advancing the development of ethnic minorities in the UK.

By creating a progressive and positive arena in which black businesses can come together, the show will assist attendees and exhibitors to make meaningful connections and promote the development of black talent.

Keynote speakers

Dame Denise Lewis DBE Presenter, broadcaster and former gold medal-winning athlete Denise is one of the “golden girls” of British athletics; winning gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and subsequently being inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. Denise was honoured with an OBE in 2000, followed by a Damehood in 2023 and an Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University in the same year.

Timothy Armoo Pioneer in the world of influencer marketing and brand building Aged twenty-one, Timo founded Fanbytes, helping global brands including Nike, Samsung, Deliveroo and the UK Government engage with Gen Z, via Influencer Marketing. In 2022, Timo sold Fanbytes to global marketing company Brainlabs in an eight-figure exit. This marked Timo’s second successful exit, having sold his first business EntrepreneurXpress – a business media publication – to Horizon when he was just seventeen.