2. What is Black Pearls Community
Services, Inc.?
Black Pearls Community Services, Inc. is committed
to the advancement, development and education of
the Black, West Indian and African community and
the community at large in the Greater Toronto Area.
Black Pearls produces community service programs
focusing primarily, but not exclusively, on
socioeconomic and academic concerns for Black
women and girls.
Black Pearls is a not-for-profit organization, currently
applying for charitable status.
3. Black Pearls in the Community
P Uncensored
The BP Book Club evolved into BP Uncensored, a positive space where
all people can come together to discuss themes in popular culture,
current affairs and issues important to the Black community. BP meets
quarterly to discuss the issues raised by movies, books, news events
and more in a thought-provoking and fun atmosphere.
aking Care of Our Roots
ince December 2006, Black Pearls has donated hair care products and
supplies for Black women in shelters across the GTA. Due to the
increasing number of African/Caribbean-Canadians that are making use
of women shelters, the need to donate hair products that would make
their transition easier is also growing. Consequently, Black Pearls solicits
donations of gently-used hair care supplies such as curling irons, flat
irons and blow dryers, in addition to new donations of hair care products
such as shampoo, conditioner, relaxer, texturizer and anything a woman
would need to make her feel better during a difficult time.
4. Project Be: Empowerment and Etiquette
Development Program
lack Pearls is committed to helping girls develop into well-
rounded women. Young women in today’s society, especially
young Black women, combat a unique set of issues daily. If, at a
young age, girls are empowered with knowledge to understand
and deconstruct their ‘role’ in society, they will have the tools to
grow emotionally and mentally into stronger women.
o move through social, academic and professional life, young
women need to understand the importance of etiquette. Etiquette
governs the expectations of social behaviour, according to the
conventional norm within a society, social class or group and is
usually unwritten. Project Be, a mobile, interactive program,
teaches young women etiquette and how to be strong women.
5. Black T.I.E. Charity event
The Black T.I.E. (Togetherness Inspiring Enhancement) Charity event
is an annual black tie affair that raises money for organizations in the
community. In the past, Black Pearls has raised funds for the Argos’
Stop the Violence – We Are Toronto campaign and the Make-A-Wish
Foundation.
Awarded at the event, the organization gives scholarships to Afro-
Canadian women who excel in various areas including academic
achievement, community involvement, leadership and more. Since
2007, Black Pearls has awarded five scholarships to outstanding
young Black female students who are continuing their post-secondary
education.
Supporting the Black T.I.E. Charity event is also a show of support for
Black Pearls scholarships. Interested companies or individuals are
welcome to sponsor scholarships.
6. What People are Saying about Black Pearls
"Sometimes the difference between being able to continue your
education and being stopped in your tracks is a helping hand from
your community. Scholarships enable students like me to make our
dreams into reality. Furthermore, contributing to a student in need is
actually an investment in the future success of our community, so it
works both ways.”
-Ndija Anderson, McGill University law student, 2007 Black Pearl
scholarship recipient
“Everyone needs encouragement – all ages and all races – but I’ve
taken an interest in Black women because of my own experience. I
know first-hand the challenges of sexism, lack of expectations or
unreasonable expectations, one-dimensional media portrayals, beauty
myths and more. It is critical that these young women be infused with
self-esteem, self-love, self-knowledge and self-confidence to give
them a foundation. I believe strongly in the work that Black Pearls is
doing as it mirrors a lot of my own philosophy and work that I’ve done
with young women.”
-Ebonnie Rowe, Founder of all-female company PhemPhat
Entertainment Group
7. Black Pearls in the Media
Black Pearls offer inspiration, Toronto Star, November 22, 2007
(http://www.thestar.com/article/278611)
Volunteer work that fits, Metro Toronto, November 11, 2007 (http://
www.metronews.ca/toronto/comment/article/15986--volunteer-
work-that-fits)
Girl Power, Spring 2008 issue, Swag Magazine
(http://www.swaymag.ca/spring2008/community4.php)
Women must operate from position of strength, SHARE News, May
28, 2009 (http://www.sharenews.com/local-
news/2009/05/28/women-must-operate-position-strength-
%E2%80%93-rowe)
We can't let an image eclipse reality, Toronto Star, June 6, 2009
(http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/646610)
8. The Benefits of Sponsorship
Make a positive impact in your community and in the
•
lives of young people
Access to a new customer base/increased business
•
Strengthen your brand by association with an
•
outstanding community organization
Create positive PR for your organization and its
•
commitment to being involved in the community
Strengthen your organization’s commitment to
•
diversity by supporting a multicultural organization
and community
Help African/Caribbean Canadian girls and women
•
reach their potential through BP programs and
scholarships
Fostering relationships with event attendees and BP
•
volunteers through networking opportunities
9. Black Pearls Sponsorship Packages
Platinum Sponsorship
lite Sponsorship ($10,000)
• Sponsor the Black T.I.E. Charity event for two (2)
years
$15,000) • One $1,500 scholarship (criteria determined by
sponsor)
xclusive title partner of the Black Pearls and the
• Opportunity to sponsor a Black Pearl program
Black T.I.E. Charity event for two (2) years
(i.e. BP Book Club, Taking Care of Our Roots)
• Potential for internship opportunity at your
pportunity to partner with Black Pearls to create or
organization to be a part of the scholarship
enhance programs throughout the year
• Ten (10) tickets to the Black T.I.E. Charity event
ne $2,000 scholarship (criteria determined by • Logo on all media material and program book for
sponsor) each year for two years event attendees
• Verbal recognition at event
otential for internship opportunity at your • Link to company website on Black Pearls website
organization to be a part of the scholarship • Promotional products and/or samples, brochures,
coupons distributed to guests
en(10) tickets to the Black T.I.E. Charity event
each year for two years
ogo on all media material
bbreviated company profile included in media kit
and in program book
erbal recognition at event
10. Black Pearls Sponsorship Packages con’t
Gold Sponsorship Website sponsorship
($3,000) ($10,000)
• One $1,000 scholarship (criteria determined by • Sponsor the Black Pearls website for two (2)
sponsor) years
• Potential for internship opportunity at your • Mention of your name in the website title
organization to be a part of the scholarship (www.black-pearls.org brought to you by Your
• Eight (8) tickets to the Black T.I.E. Charity event Name)
• Logo on all media material • Inclusion of a large logo or banner ad on the
• Verbal recognition at event front page of the web site
• Link to company website on Black Pearls website • Logo inclusion or company name mention in all
media campaigns including print and online
• Promotional products and/or samples, brochures,
coupons distributed to guests
Your sponsorship investment will be used to cover
the yearly expenses of the Black Pearls website,
Silver Sponsorship including the cost to hire a graphic designer,
photographs to display on the site, new
($1,500) hardware needed to maintain the site, domain
• One $500 scholarship (criteria determined by name registration, web page hosting,
sponsor) advertisements and labour.
• Potential for internship opportunity at your
organization to be a part of the scholarship
• Logo on all media material
• Link to company website on Black Pearls website
• Verbal recognition at event
• Two guest passes
11. Black Pearls Sponsorship Packages con’t
lack T.I.E Charity event -
Advertising sponsorships
d Package 1 ($750)
•
ack page Ad (full page)
•
ompany name/hyperlink on Black Pearls website
•
cknowledgment in opening remarks at event
•
wo guest passes
d Package 2 ($500)
•
ull Page Ad
•
ompany name/hyperlink on Black Pearls website
•
cknowledgment in opening remarks at event
•
wo guest passes
13. To discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact: Black Pearls Community Services, Inc.
Black Pearls Community Services, Inc. PO Box 55240
giving@black-pearls.org 1800 Sheppard Ave. East
647-723-3809 Toronto, ON
M2J 5B9