FIRST FRIDAYS SURVIVED THE PANDEMIC
WARREN SALMONBy Stephen Weir
After 28-years the Black Business community should be getting ready to spend an evening networking and celebrating Christmas without being poked and prodded. Just in case they’ve forgotten, Warren Salmon, the founder of First Fridays just sent out an all-encompassing Social Media reminder that this Friday evening they will be holding a hybrid Black Business Holiday Showcase gathering at the ScottHill Caribbean Cuisine Restaurant on Avenue Rd in North Toronto.
Founded in 1994, First Fridays describes itself as Toronto’s Premier networking event for entrepreneurs and professionals of African descent. Taking place, the first Friday of each month in popular restaurants around the city, the often-sold-out event attracts Black business people who want to network, learn about new business endeavours, meet industry leaders and most importantly, socialize. “We did have to go on-line during the pandemics but we haven’t missed a month since the beginning way back in the ninties,” explained Warren Salmon.
“We have had only had to move a couple of the First Fridays to the second Friday of the month over the past 28 years so people know when it will be and what they are going to get”.
The format hasn’t changed much over the decades, however, after once again being in-person, they have kept the ability for people to join the festivities online as well. The hybrid audience means that people from across the country can get a ticket and join in albeit an hour later than the in-person start time.
Networking, nushing and enjoying a beverage doesn’t translate well on-lone. While people arrive in person at 7pm, the on-line guests don’t log in until 8pm. Everything ends at 10pm.
There are presentations made by invited guests and business leaders. Gift Pop-Ups and for the on-line people they can go into break-out rooms to learn about the same products and services on display at booths within the restaurant.
It isn’t just a night of sell sell sell, each monthly meeting has specific themes. Friday night is billed as the holiday showcase. Not only with Kenti Claus making an appearance but also life coach Danny Stone and Jamal Wiggins taking turns at the mike.
Kenti Claus, a Black Santa will be posing for pictures and helping out with Kotch With Malcom, a Black pop-up service that will be showcasing gift ideas from over two dozen Black companies at the Woodbine Mall later this month. Some of the family Christmas pop-up gift ideas will be shown and sold with Kente Claus this Friday.
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