Jane Finch Futures: Community Blueprint Forum
What should an innovation hub rooted in Jane and Finch and built to serve Northwest Toronto and beyond actually look like?
Since April, Jane Finch Futures fellows have been asking residents that exact question.
Led by the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) and Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC), this paid community fellowship builds on BEA's research: The Element Centre: Leveraging Innovation Infrastructure for Community Resilience (2023) and Housing for Success: Why Housing Matters for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (2024). That work showed most of Toronto's innovation supports sit downtown, leaving Northwest Toronto on the outside. It also proposed a fix: the Element Centre, a community innovation hub built here, for here.
But a community space has to be designed with the community. So the fellows went out and listened.
Now they're sharing what they heard, and unveiling the Community Blueprint for the Element Centre.
Jane Finch Futures: Community Blueprint Forum
✦ Hear what residents told the fellows
✦ Get a first look at the Community Blueprint
✦ Weigh in on the programs, spaces, and opportunities the hub should offer
✦ Connect with neighbours, entrepreneurs, and partners across Northwest Toronto
Open to residents, entrepreneurs, youth, community organizations, and anyone who cares about how development happens in Jane and Finch.
📍 York Woods Library Theatre
📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
🎟️ Free to attend
Light refreshments provided.
Supported by United Way Greater Toronto, with Untitled Planning as facilitation partner.
The blueprint is ready. Come shape what gets built.
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About Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA):
The Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) is a community economic development organization that advances Black entrepreneurs, founders, professionals and the diaspora in Northwest Toronto and beyond. We engage directly with communities to help them achieve bold entrepreneurship, inclusive innovation, and local economic power.
Our focus areas are entrepreneurship development, talent development, applied research, and events.
www.thebea.co
Get Involved
If you have any additional questions or are interested in partnering, mentoring, or sponsoring future BEA programs? Reach out to us at https://thebea.co/get-in-touch/
Code of Conduct
BEA is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone. By registering for this event, you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. Please take a moment to review it before attending.
BEA Attendee Media & Photo Release Notice
By attending this event, you acknowledge that the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) may capture photos, video, and audio for storytelling, promotional, and archival use. If you prefer not to be included in any recordings or photos, please notify a BEA team member upon arrival so accommodations can be made.
All guests are expected to follow event guidelines and adhere to BEA staff directions to support a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment. If you experience or witness behaviour that feels inappropriate, unsafe, or out of line with our community values, please report it immediately to a BEA team member.
BEA reserves the right to remove or deny access to anyone who does not uphold these expectations.