These event-savvy business owners add creativity and authenticity to any gathering, whether you’re looking for a venue, planning support, workshops or catering.
1. Debonair Corporate Events
The team at Debonair Corporate Events brings 20 years of expertise to crafting strategic, impactful meetings and events. “We strive to create meaningful, inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster connection,” says Dwayne Rutherford, founder and CEO.
“We strive to create meaningful, inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster connection.”
— Dwayne Rutherford, Debonair Corporate Events
The inspiration: Rutherford officially launched the business in 2017, inspired by his entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, “sparked by my curiosity and drive to make events not just memorable, but extraordinary,” he says.
Core values: Guided by integrity, creativity, inclusivity and partnership, Debonair’s mission is to create impactful, purpose-driven events. “We believe in delivering with excellence, treating every event as an opportunity to inspire, connect and elevate,” says Rutherford.
The experience: As a Black-owned businesses, systemic barriers — like limited access to funding and resources — can make it harder to implement success-driven strategies. “Yet, these obstacles have fueled my creativity, forcing me to find innovative ways to grow and sustain the business,” says Rutherford.
“As a BIPOC-owned business, we bring a unique blend of cultural awareness, emotional intelligence and authenticity to our services. Our team approaches each event with a deep understanding of diverse perspectives, traditions and sensitivities, which allows us to create experiences that truly resonate with our clients and their guests.”
2. Mascot Brewery
Canada’s sole Black-owned craft brewery, Mascot Brewery offers up a distinct lineup of their own craft beers, along with guest brews, wines and spirits, imaginative menus and chill event venues.
“Being an entrepreneur, I thought, Black people drink beer, brown people drink beer, and they should be better represented in the space.”
— Aaron Prothro, Mascot Brewery
The inspiration: Recognizing a lack of representation and inclusivity in the craft beer scene, founder and CEO Aaron Prothro established Mascot Brewery in 2015: “Being an entrepreneur, I thought, Black people drink beer, brown people drink beer, and they should be better represented in the space.”
The venues: Each of Mascot’s three Toronto-area locations can host events — the King West venue accommodates 150 indoors and another 150 in the beer garden. Creative and customizable menus, adjustable lighting and a plug and play sound system make event planning seamless, and they can bring a craft beer tasting experience to your chosen location, complete with a pairing menu.
The goods: In addition to Mascot’s diverse range of premium brews, the brewery partners with other Black-owned businesses for their Black-Owned Collab series, co-creating unique beer styles and boosting exposure. Prothro notes, “We work with a lot of brewers out of the US to talk about their Black experience and how that’s impacted their perspective on craft beer.”
3. Keisha Pinto Events Inc.
A full-service event planning firm, Keisha Pinto Events Inc. delivers elevated and innovative experiences that are crafted to leave a lasting impact.
“Every event I plan is an opportunity to showcase the richness of the Black diaspora.“
— Keisha Pinto, Keisha Pinto Events Inc.
The inspiration: Driven by a passion that continues to inspire her work today, owner and lead event planner, Keisha Pinto, launched her business in 2014. With a commitment to elevating underrepresented voices and perspectives, Pinto aspires to “redefine the event industry by centring on cultural inclusivity, fostering community and delivering experiences that inspire awe and wonder.”
The experience: Despite the unique challenges of being a Black business owner, Pinto says, “Those experiences have only strengthened my resolve and shaped a brand centred on authenticity, inclusion and a celebration of global influences. Every event I plan is an opportunity to showcase the richness of the Black diaspora.“
Paying it forward: As a member of Toronto's Black in Events Network, Pinto prioritizes giving back to the local Black community. She supports Black-led non-profits, mentors aspiring planners and entrepreneurs, collaborates with Black creatives, and for the past eight years has donated gifts to local organizations and schools in her native Kingston, Jamaica, through her annual KIDSMAS GIFTBACK holiday event.
4. SugarKane Restaurant
Drawing on their roots to bring a bold fusion of Cajun and Caribbean flavours to their east-end restaurant, co-owners and sisters, Reneé and Donna Charles and Nicole Charles-Page opened SugarKane, a full-service restaurant.
The inspiration: The sisters found inspiration from their Grenadian and Trinidadian parents who loved to cook for friends and family. “Almost every weekend our parents cooked big Caribbean dishes like stewed chicken, rice and peas, macaroni pie, king fish…etc. There was always food ready when family or friends stopped by.”
The venue: This vibrant space is the perfect backdrop for intimate group gatherings — local art is showcased on the walls and a neon SugarKane sign hangs above the stage that hosts DJs and live performances. With a capacity of 50 for seated dinners, full buyouts are available.
The vibe: “When you visit SugarKane, we’ve infused beautiful art from people of colour, lively music from people of colour and we definitely give you the feeling that you have stepped out of Toronto and into a cozy joint somewhere in the Caribbean,” says Nicole.
