Systems Change & Policy Innovation

Transforming Institutions, Influencing Policies, and Building Equitable Systems Where Black Women Can Thrive

Pillar Overview

Sustainable change does not happen only by supporting individuals—it happens by transforming the systems, structures, policies, and institutional practices that shape people’s opportunities and outcomes.

For generations, Black women have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and community commitment. However, many continue to encounter systemic barriers that limit their full participation and advancement across economic, professional, political, and social systems.

These barriers are often not caused by individual actions but are embedded within broader structures, including:

Workplace practices.
Hiring and promotion systems.
Procurement processes.
Financial systems.
Leadership pipelines.
Policy frameworks.
Institutional decision-making processes.
Access to networks and opportunities.

While programs that build individual skills and capacity are essential, lasting equity requires changing the systems that determine who has access to opportunity.

CBEE Women’s Systems Change & Policy Innovation Pillar represents the organization’s commitment to moving beyond programs and toward transformation.

This pillar positions CBEE Women as a leading voice in advancing evidence-based solutions that address structural barriers affecting Black women.

The pillar focuses on:

Researching barriers → Developing solutions → Influencing institutions → Changing policies → Creating sustainable impact

Through policy research, institutional partnerships, employer engagement, procurement reform, leadership pathways, workplace inclusion initiatives, advocacy, and policy dialogues, CBEE Women works to ensure that systems become more inclusive, equitable, and responsive.

The vision is:

A Canada where systems are intentionally designed to recognize talent, remove barriers, and create equitable opportunities for Black women to lead, innovate, and prosper.

Strategic Objectives

The Systems Change & Policy Innovation Pillar focuses on seven strategic objectives:

Generate Evidence-Based Research on Black Women’s Experiences

Develop research, data, and insights that identify barriers, measure progress, and inform solutions.

Influence Institutional Transformation

Support organizations in reviewing and improving policies, practices, and structures that affect equity and inclusion.

Advance Workplace Inclusion and Equity

Partner with employers to create environments where Black women can access opportunities, advancement, and leadership.

Reform Procurement and Economic Systems

Promote equitable access to government and corporate procurement opportunities.

Strengthen Leadership and Representation Pathways

Create systems that increase Black women’s participation in decision-making roles.

Build Policy Innovation Partnerships

Bring together governments, corporations, researchers, and communities to design effective solutions.

Create a National Platform for Advocacy and Policy Influence

Position Black women’s experiences and solutions at the centre of policy conversations.

Program 1: Policy Research Centre

Generating Knowledge to Drive Evidence-Based Change

Program Overview

Effective policy change requires credible evidence.

Many challenges affecting Black women remain insufficiently understood due to:

Limited race-based data.
Underrepresentation in research.
Lack of intersectional analysis.
Insufficient documentation of lived experiences.

The CBEE Women Policy Research Centre serves as a knowledge hub dedicated to researching issues affecting Black women’s economic, professional, and social advancement.

The Centre transforms community experiences into evidence, recommendations, and actionable solutions.

Program Objectives

The Policy Research Centre aims to:

Produce research on barriers affecting Black women.
Generate evidence for policymakers and institutions.
Identify successful solutions.
Measure progress toward equity.
Amplify Black women’s knowledge and expertise.

Core Activities

1. Community-Based Research

Research areas include:

Employment experiences.
Entrepreneurship barriers.
Access to capital.
Leadership representation.
STEM participation.
Workplace inclusion.
Digital equity.

2. Data Collection and Analysis

Activities include:

Surveys.
Focus groups.
Interviews.
Community consultations.
Impact assessments.

3. Policy Reports and Recommendations

Outputs include:

Policy briefs.
Research reports.
White papers.
Best practice frameworks.

Expected Outcomes

The Research Centre will:

Increase understanding of systemic barriers.
Improve decision-making.
Support evidence-based policies.
Influence institutional practices.

Impact Indicators

Number of research studies completed.
Reports published.
Policymakers engaged.
Institutions using recommendations.
Community members participating.

Program 2: Institutional Reform Initiative

Helping Organizations Build Equitable Systems

Program Overview

Organizations often recognize the importance of diversity but struggle to transform intentions into measurable action.

Institutional reform requires examining:

Policies.
Procedures.
Leadership structures.
Organizational culture.
Accountability systems.

CBEE Women supports organizations seeking to move from diversity commitments toward measurable equity outcomes.

Program Objectives

The Institutional Reform Initiative aims to:

Identify systemic barriers.
Improve organizational practices.
Strengthen inclusion strategies.
Build accountability mechanisms.

Core Components

1. Organizational Equity Assessments

Assess:

Recruitment practices.
Promotion systems.
Leadership representation.
Workplace culture.
Employee experiences.

2. Equity Strategy Development

Support organizations in creating:

Action plans.
Diversity strategies.
Inclusion frameworks.
Measurement systems.

3. Leadership Accountability

Support leaders in:

Understanding systemic barriers.
Creating inclusive environments.
Measuring progress.

Expected Outcomes

Organizations will:

Improve workplace equity.
Strengthen inclusion practices.
Increase representation.
Build accountability.

Program 3: Employer Engagement & Workplace Inclusion Program

Creating Workplaces Where Black Women Can Advance

Program Overview

Employers play a critical role in creating economic opportunity.

Workplaces influence:

Hiring.
Compensation.
Advancement.
Leadership access.
Employee experience.

CBEE Women works with employers to create workplace environments where Black women can succeed.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

Reduce workplace barriers.
Improve recruitment and retention.
Increase leadership opportunities.
Strengthen inclusive workplace cultures.

Core Activities

Inclusive Recruitment Support

Helping employers improve:

Job descriptions.
Hiring processes.
Interview practices.
Talent pipelines.

Career Advancement Pathways

Supporting:

Mentorship programs.
Sponsorship initiatives.
Leadership development.
Promotion pathways.

Workplace Inclusion Training

Training areas include:

Bias awareness.
Inclusive leadership.
Cultural competence.
Psychological safety.

Expected Outcomes

Indicators:

Increased representation.
Improved employee experience.
Increased retention.
More Black women advancing into leadership.

Program 4: Procurement Reform Initiative

Creating Equitable Access to Economic Opportunities

Program Overview

Government and corporate procurement represents one of the largest economic opportunities available to businesses.

However, many Black women-owned businesses face barriers accessing procurement systems, including:

Limited supplier networks.
Lack of information.
Complex requirements.
Limited relationships with buyers.

CBEE Women works to promote procurement systems that create fair opportunities.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

Increase supplier diversity.
Improve procurement accessibility.
Connect businesses with buyers.
Influence procurement practices.

Core Activities

Research and Advocacy

Including:

Procurement gap analysis.
Supplier diversity research.
Policy recommendations.

Business Readiness Support

Including:

Procurement education.
Certification support.
Contract preparation.

Institutional Partnerships

Working with:

Governments.
Corporations.
Universities.
Large institutions.

Expected Outcomes

Increased contracts awarded to Black women-owned businesses.
Improved supplier diversity.
Stronger economic participation.

Program 5: Leadership Pathways Initiative

Building Systems That Create Access to Influence

Program Overview

Leadership representation does not happen automatically. It requires intentional pathways.

CBEE Women works to create systems that connect Black women to:

Boards.
Executive roles.
Advisory positions.
Public leadership opportunities.

Core Components

Leadership Pipeline Development

Supporting women at different stages:

Emerging leaders.
Mid-career professionals.
Executives.

Mentorship and Sponsorship Networks

Connecting women with:

Leaders.
Decision-makers.
Institutions.

Representation Tracking

Measuring:

Leadership participation.
Board appointments.
Advancement outcomes.

Expected Outcomes

Increased leadership representation.
Stronger talent pipelines.
More inclusive institutions.

Program 6: Policy Roundtables & Innovation Forums

Creating Spaces for Dialogue, Collaboration, and Solutions

Program Overview

Complex challenges require collaboration among:

Governments.
Businesses.
Researchers.
Community organizations.
Black women leaders.

CBEE Women convenes policy conversations that transform challenges into solutions.

Roundtable Themes

Topics may include:

Economic inclusion.
AI and technology.
Workplace equity.
Entrepreneurship.
Procurement.
Leadership.
Financial empowerment.

Activities

Include:

Policy roundtables.
Leadership forums.
Research presentations.
Stakeholder consultations.
Solution-building sessions.

Expected Outcomes

Stronger partnerships.
New policy ideas.
Increased collaboration.
Institutional commitments.

Program 7: Advocacy Through Evidence Initiative

Turning Research Into Policy Action

Program Overview

Effective advocacy requires more than raising awareness—it requires evidence, partnerships, and practical recommendations.

CBEE Women uses research and community knowledge to influence:

Public policies.
Institutional practices.
Economic strategies.

Core Activities

Policy Advocacy

Including:

Government engagement.
Policy submissions.
Advisory participation.

Public Awareness

Including:

Reports.
Conferences.
Media engagement.
Community education.

Strategic Partnerships

Working with:

Policymakers.
Researchers.
Organizations.
Community leaders.

Expected Outcomes

Increased policy influence.
Greater awareness of Black women’s priorities.
Improved institutional responses.

Overall Pillar 4 Impact Framework

Program Area	Short-Term Outcomes	Long-Term Impact
Policy Research Centre	Increased evidence and knowledge	Better policies and decisions
Institutional Reform	Improved organizational practices	More equitable systems
Employer Engagement	Inclusive workplace strategies	Stronger career outcomes
Procurement Reform	Increased market access	Greater economic participation
Leadership Pathways	More representation	Increased influence and decision-making power
Policy Roundtables	Collaboration and dialogue	Innovative policy solutions
Advocacy Through Evidence	Stronger public voice	Sustainable systems change

Strategic Partnerships

CBEE Women will collaborate with:

CBEE Women Systems Change Vision

CBEE Women believes lasting equity requires transforming the systems that determine opportunity.

Supporting individual success is important—but changing the structures that create barriers is essential.

Through the Systems Change & Policy Innovation Pillar, CBEE Women is committed to:

Producing evidence.
Influencing policies.
Reforming institutions.
Expanding opportunity.
Building inclusive systems.

When systems change, opportunities expand. When policies become inclusive, communities prosper. When Black women’s voices shape decisions, Canada moves closer to a more equitable and innovative future.