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Super proud of @thenodmedia @thenodevents for such an incredible networking event with a phenomenal purpose: meet people worth knowing, businesses worth discovering, and conversations worth getting into.

I’m in absolute awe of what you’ve been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time! Keep on shining 👏🏽

#calgary #yyc #getsociallyirl #cirl

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GROWTH DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN. IT GETS BUILT.

And we’re looking for people who want to help build it.

If you’re curious, driven, commercially minded and excited by the idea of turning opportunities into real movement, there may be a place for you at The Nod.

We’re also opening the door to interns who are building their careers and want practical experience across growth, partnerships, operations and market development.

And yes, the people are part of the experience too.

Meet some of the cool people building The Nod:
@rafiat.babayode, Chief Operating Officer
@lolablackofficial, Chief Marketing Officer

If this sounds like your kind of room, click the link in our bio to apply.

Let’s build. Get in The Nod

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WE HAD TO JUMP ON THIS 😂✈️

@teslamotors gave us the flying car, so obviously The Nod had to take it from Edmonton to Toronto.

But the real reason we came East? @iamtiffanycallender invited us to experience the Melamoon Finale, and she made sure we were IN the room.

Huge NOD to @iamtiffanycallender and the @facecoalition team for the work they’re doing to create access, capital and opportunity for Black entrepreneurs across Canada. And for making our Toronto experience such a good one. 💚

It also felt like a meeting of shared intentions.

At The Nod, we’re building the infrastructure that enables businesses, people and opportunities in emerging communities get discovered, connected and moved forward.

Different lanes. Same belief that great businesses deserve access, visibility and room to grow.

Anyway… Edmonton to Toronto?
Apparently we fly now. 😂

FLY WITH THE NOD.
GET IN THE NOD.

#WorthANod #GetInTheNod #FlyWithTheNod #TheNod #FACE #Melamoon

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Join us in celebrating @soch_ogbonna’s extraordinary commitments, and contributions in creating a better Canada for all, by prioritizing Justice, Employment Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion (JEEADI) principles in Canadian spaces

Chinaemerem Sochi Ogbonna is a social impact entrepreneur, ecosystem strategist, and institution builder working at the intersection of technology, media, entrepreneurship, and economic development.

She is the Co-Founder of @thenodmedia and CEO of The Nod Foundation, where she builds platforms, partnerships, and pathways connecting entrepreneurs and innovators to markets, capital, technology, and opportunity. Through The Nod App, The Nod Media, and The Nod Foundation, she is helping build an integrated economic ecosystem aiming to recirculate $100 million over four years and formalize 1,000 businesses by 2030. Beyond The Nod, she runs Signature Stage Events with her business partner, creating platforms celebrating culture and community. She helps steer the ACT initiative, a $2.6 million PrairiesCan-funded collaboration between three partner organizations.

Before transitioning into full-time entrepreneurship, Chinaemerem served as Director of Programs and Strategic Engagement with the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration. She brings over 25 years of experience spanning government, entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership,and community innovation,including roles within the education and health care sectors.

Known for translating ideas into systems, partnerships, and measurable outcomes, Chinaemerem’s leadership is grounded in faith, family, and the belief that strong ecosystems not individuals create lasting change. She is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

From our Executive Director, @eveaboka and the entire team at @immigrantchampionsofcanada Congratulations Sochi!!

Event Details
Date: November 11th, 2026
Time: 2:00pm
Venue: University of Calgary Downtown Campus
Tickets: On our website

Powered by #Champions for #Champions!

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Remember the energy of BTF 2.0? The conversations ran deep.

The panelists dropped gems you're still thinking about. Strangers who left as collaborators.
Now imagine all of that, but bigger.

BTF Summit 3.0 is coming, and you do not want to hear about it secondhand.
June 2027

Block your calendar. Tell your team. Bring the friend who needs to be in the room.

Last time, we connected, shared and learned. This time, we're taking it further.
Who's pulling up with us? Tag someone who needs to be there.

#BTFSummit3 #BlackToTheFuture #SaveTheDate #BTF2026 #TheNodMedia

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🎵We Do This Entrepreneurship For The Fam... Cos It's Bigger Than Just Us... 🚀🙏🏾

Had to Jump on the Trend to Celebrate Some of The Winners on Our Dream Team 🏆💰

Special Shout Out to @lolablackofficial @rafiat.babayode👌🏾👏🏾

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Honoured to be featured in The Nod Magazine’s latest issue, Black on Board. 🖤

It was such a meaningful opportunity to share my story, perspective, and expertise as one of the contributors helping shape the conversation around Black leadership, influence, decision-making, and what it means to truly be Black on Board.

Being “on board” is about more than occupying a seat. It’s about having a voice, influencing conversations, contributing to decisions, and using your position to create a path for those who come after you.

I’m deeply grateful to God for His never-ending favour & mercy, and for allowing me to build The Melanin Studio, grow a vision that started with a dream, and share that journey with my community.

I don’t take the opportunity to build, lead, and leave a legacy lightly.

Thank you to The NOD for creating space for these important conversations and for including me in this issue.

Read the full feature online: link in bio 🫶🏾

📸 - @sil_lenses
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#BlackOnBoard #TheNODMedia #BlackLeadership #BlackWomenInLeadership BlackEntrepreneurs WomenInBusiness Leadership Legacy #themelaninstudio
TheMelaninStudio EdmontonBusiness

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A little BTF Summit throwback and we’re still loving how beautifully these Royal Triple Treat Grazing Boxes came together. 🤎✨

Created by Exceptionnelle Foods for the BTF Summit 2.0, these boxes were prepared as a drop-off catering order and set up by the amazing team/Volunteers at Btf Summit 2.0 and look how gorgeous they turned out! 😍
This is exactly why our Royal Triple Treat Grazing Boxes are one of the favourites for events.

They’re beautiful, convenient, generous and easy to serve no complicated setup required.
Whether it’s a corporate gathering, summit, celebration, networking event or private function, they make feeding your guests feel effortless while still looking exceptionally good.

#blackbusinessowner
#yegbusiness
#yeglife

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Jerk Jollof Fest 2026!
#edmontonballoons #edmontonevents #yegballoons #edmontondecorator #primeroevents

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BIG NEWS: We’re launching JJ Labs 🎉

For four years, Jerk & Jollof has been about more than incredible food.

We’ve watched entrepreneurs test recipes, build brands, meet thousands of customers and prove that there is real demand for the flavours and products our communities know and love.

Now, we’re building what comes next.

Introducing JJ Labs, a new commercialization ecosystem by Jerk & Jollof HQ designed to help culturally rooted food and beverage businesses move from proven recipes and small-batch sales to scalable, value-added CPG products.

Think recipe → product → shelf → market.

And we’re not building it alone.

We’re proud to be launching JJ Labs alongside our delivery partners The Nod @thenodevents @thenodmedia, Canavua @canavuaedmonton and Rootify @rootifyhq, bringing together business readiness, commercialization, technology, supply chains, logistics, distribution and market access.

And where else would we launch it? 👀

This Saturday at the 4th annual Jerk & Jollof Festival.

📅 August 29 | 1–8 PM
📍 Louise McKinney Riverfront Park, Edmonton

Come eat. Come dance. Discover incredible businesses. And be there as we unveil what we’ve been building for the future of culturally rooted food in Canada.

From the flavours we love, to shelves everywhere. 🌍

🎥 @veralux_studios
🏬 @foodbasketcanadainc

#JJLabs #JerkAndJollof #FoodInnovation #CPG #MadeInCanada #YEG #YEGFestival #MadeinAlberta #YegEvents

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BTF Summit 2.0 brought founders, investors, government, industry leaders and changemakers into the same room around a shared question: what does it take to transform Black-led innovation into lasting economic growth in Canada?

The conversations went beyond ideas. Founders met potential investors and partners. Businesses found new opportunities. Leaders exchanged the knowledge, connections and strategies needed to move from ambition to execution.

BTF Summit is over.

Now, those conversations have to become partnerships, which are already creating opportunities, and those opportunities are translating into growth.

Guess where? The Nod App! Link in bio.

#BTFSummit #TheNod #BlackToTheFuture #BlackEntrepreneurship #BlackBusiness #BlackFounders #BuildingTheFuture

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Edmonton brought the vibes and the moments were unforgettable. From powerful pitches to inspiring conversations, the energy was incredible — and we’re just getting started.

Next stop: Toronto this Friday — the last city stop for Melamoon 2026. Stay tuned as the tour wraps up before the finals this October.

🎥 Watch the BTS, celebrate the momentum, and get ready for what’s next.
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Edmonton a livré une ambiance incroyable et des moments inoubliables. Des présentations inspirantes aux conversations marquantes, l’énergie était au rendez-vous — et ce n’est que le début.

Prochain arrêt : Toronto ce vendredi — la dernière ville de la tournée Melamoon 2026. Restez à l’affût alors que la tournée se termine avant les finales en octobre.

🎥 Regardez les coulisses, célébrez cette belle lancée et préparez-vous pour la suite.

#Melamoon2026 #MelamoonEdmonton #MelamoonToronto #BlackEntrepreneurs
#BlackEntrepreneurship BlackBusinessCanada
PitchCompetition FACECoalition EntrepreneursNoirs
BlackFounders StartupCanada 1FACE SupportBlackBusiness

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