WHO ARE WE?
Black Business Network is the home of black business owners and startup entrepreneurs, designed to strengthen business connections, financing and knowledge in our community.
Through our network you can learn and find support throughout the lifespan of your entrepreneurial journey. We pride ourselves in collaborating with other Black organisations and the right corporate engagement, to bring about a collective spirit of change for our entrepreneurs. Providing access to business support resources, services, educational and networking events; while staying updated on the latest news and engagement in our business community.
Join us as we shape and build the black business community while showcasing your talent, professionalism and businesses!
EDUCATING AND SUPPORTING YOU THROUGH YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY
SHARI LEIGH
FOUNDER
About Me: After a decade-long career in the events industry, I was inspired to use my skills to create safe spaces for Black entrepreneurs to meet, network and learn from each other. Along this journey, I have learned about the numerous areas of support needed in our business community, and I have been honoured to continue to build and share these resources with other entrepreneurs.
Fun Fact: I twerk when I’m happy and celebrating my wins Remember to always celebrate your wins!
NATASHA HASTICK
BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER
About Me: With over a decade experience in executive office management, I joined BBN with a desire to utilise my experience in an organisation whose values are better aligned to mine.
We have worked with so many businesses, who share our drive and desire to see the community thrive and it has been amazing. We've achieved so much, and I'm excited to see what else is to come!
Fun Fact: Not many people know this about me, but I'm a closet thrill-seeker and once jumped 13’000ft from a plane for charity.
SHI DOLOR
BRAND MARKETING MANAGER
About Me: It’s cliche but real talk, for the last 6 years brand marketing has been my passion and I’ve been able to work with great brands like Disney, Facebook and Google on my brand marketing journey. But nothing has meant more than being able to work with the amazing entrepreneurs in our community. We have so many great businesses and innovative entrepreneurs that produce fantastic products and services every day. My only job is to make them more visible and accessible.
Fun Fact: In 2012, I designed a red carpet dress for an actress the night she won an Oscar.
OBY MBAGWU
COMMS & NEWS EXECUTIVE
About me: I’ve been in the event industry for a few years now, planning events both in Nigeria and the UK and It has brought me many blessings, one of which is the opportunity I get to do something worthwhile for my community here in Nigeria and now internationally. It’s not every day you find a group of like-minded people working tirelessly towards leaving a place better than they found it.
Fun Fact: Food is my fantasy. Just me in my kitchen trying out new recipes. I’m at peace. My best dish is Pounded yam and Ofe Egusi (Egusi Soup: indigenous to the Igbo tribe of Nigeria) and why? I am Nigerian, we are always extra. lol.
HIYWET BERHE
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
About me: I’ve been working in events for the past 4 years, including conferences in San Francisco, Cape Town and Amsterdam and I love it! Inclusion in business has always been my passion, but more particularly for the Black community in the UK. It’s amazing to be a part of a team with like minded individuals, with the same goal of amplifying Black voices and talent.
Fun Fact: Some say I'm like a human encyclopaedia, I’m an obsessive plant mum, and I try to roller skate from time to time. Catch me in Roll Bounce 2 ;)
