Archive | February 2023

Who Are the Banker Ladies of Canada?

Culled From The Toronto Star (accessed on February 22, 2023 at 6:05 pm EST)

Responsible Investing Podcast shines a spotlight on #ROSCA – Rotating Savings and Credit Association as a stellar example of a social finance model.

Guest: Andria Barrett of the Banker Ladies Council of Canada

Topic: Who are the Banker Ladies of Canada?

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Guest: Andria Barrett

Canada’s institutional banking system has been traditionally difficult to navigate for new immigrants to the country, leading many to utilize an informal, women-led savings collective based on the principle of mutual aid. Known as a “partner” in Jamaican culture, a “susu” in the Ghanaian community or a “hagbad” in Somali, a rotating savings and credit association (ROSCA) fosters a sense of community in many immigrant groups and opens doors to funding frequently not available elsewhere.

In this episode of Responsible Investing for a Sustainable Economy,” host Tim Nash speaks with Andria Barrett, a consultant and speaker at The Diversity Agency, and former president of the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, about how ROSCAs work and why they’re spreading beyond immigrant networks. More information at The ROSCA Federation.

Learn more about ROSCAs Here.


P8 Series by the OCA | From Principle to Practice: Breaking Down Barriers – Lessons for a More Inclusive Economy


Join the Ontario Cooperative Association (OCA) on February 22nd, 2023 for the P8 Series – From Principle to Practice: Breaking Down Barriers – Lessons for a More Inclusive Economy

An exploration of some of the key systemic barriers that exist for under-represented groups wanting to develop, or currently operating a co-operative, as well as barriers to ownership, membership, employment, accessibility and leadership, followed by a discussion on how we can collectively overcome them through practices and policies that will make our businesses and the co-operative sector more inclusive. (1.5 hours). Guest speakers include Esther Enylou, Executive Director of the Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre, and Juliet Kego Ume-Onyido, Director and Co-Founder of the Black Women’s Professional Worker Co-operative





Click Here to Register to attend this event.

The Origins of Cooperative Economics – A Black History Month Event on February 8, 2023 #ROSCAS





Join us on February 8 at 8:00 pm EST!

THE ORIGINS OF COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS: ROSCAS 

 A BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT. 

 Moderated by: Dr. Caroline Shenaz Hossein, University of Toronto

Panelists: 

 Andria Barrett, The Banker Ladies Council 

 Mabinty Bangura, The Banker Ladies Council 

 Juliet Kego Ume-Onyido, Black Women Professional Worker Co-op/Whole Woman Network

 Jonah Chininga, Co-founder, WOVEO (Formerly ‘The Miq’) 

 Registration: https://tinyurl.com/2fdvyy7u