Research & Knowledge Hub

Generating Evidence, Measuring Progress, and Advancing Data-Driven Solutions for Black Women’s Economic Prosperity

Pillar Overview

Knowledge is the foundation of meaningful transformation. Sustainable change requires more than good intentions—it requires credible research, reliable data, measurable outcomes, and evidence-based solutions that help governments, institutions, businesses, and communities understand challenges and implement effective strategies.

Across Canada, Black women are making significant contributions to the economy, innovation ecosystem, workforce, entrepreneurship landscape, and community development. They are entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, researchers, educators, caregivers, investors, and community leaders.

However, significant gaps remain in understanding the full scope of Black women’s economic participation and experiences due to:

Limited availability of disaggregated data.
Insufficient intersectional research.
Underrepresentation in economic studies.
Lack of consistent measurement frameworks.
Limited documentation of success stories and best practices.
Inadequate tracking of progress over time.

Without reliable data, systemic barriers remain difficult to identify, measure, and address.

CBEE Women’s Research & Knowledge Hub serves as a national centre of excellence dedicated to producing, translating, and sharing knowledge that advances the economic prosperity, leadership, and inclusion of Black women.

The Knowledge Hub transforms information into action:

Research → Insights → Recommendations → Policy Change → Measurable Impact

The Hub will provide governments, corporations, researchers, community organizations, and decision-makers with the evidence needed to design more inclusive policies, programs, investments, and institutional practices.

The vision is:

To become Canada’s leading source of research, data, and intelligence on Black women’s economic participation, leadership, innovation, and prosperity.

Strategic Objectives

The Research & Knowledge Hub focuses on seven strategic objectives:

Build a National Evidence Base on Black Women’s Economic Experiences

Generate reliable research on:
* Economic participation.
* Entrepreneurship.
* Leadership.
* Employment.
* Innovation.
* Wealth creation.
* Financial inclusion.

Develop Data Tools That Measure Progress

Create measurement frameworks that track:
* Representation.
* Opportunity.
* Economic advancement.
* Leadership growth.
* Wealth creation.

Influence Policy Through Research and Evidence

Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for:
* Governments.
* Employers.
* Financial institutions.
* Educational institutions.
* Community organizations.

Highlight Success Stories and Best Practices

Document achievements, innovations, and solutions developed by Black women.

Strengthen Leadership and Representation Pathways

Create tools that allow institutions to assess progress toward equity.

Support Research Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange

Build collaboration between:
* Universities.
* Researchers.
* Governments.
* Businesses.
* Community organizations.

Establish CBEE Women as a Thought Leader in Black Women’s Economic Prosperity

Position CBEE Women as a trusted source of research, insights, and policy innovation.

Program 1: Annual Reports

The State of Black Women’s Economic Prosperity in Canada Report

Program Overview

The Annual Report will serve as CBEE Women’s flagship publication, providing a comprehensive assessment of the progress, challenges, opportunities, and emerging trends affecting Black women across Canada.

The report will examine:

Economic participation.
Employment outcomes.
Entrepreneurship.
Leadership representation.
Access to capital.
Technology participation.
Wealth creation.
Policy developments.

It will provide a yearly snapshot of where progress is being made and where additional action is required.

Report Themes May Include

Economic Participation

Examining:

Workforce participation.
Income trends.
Career advancement.
Industry representation.

Entrepreneurship

Analyzing:

Business ownership.
Growth patterns.
Financing barriers.
Market access.

Leadership

Tracking:

Executive representation.
Board participation.
Public leadership.

Innovation

Assessing:

STEM participation.
AI engagement.
Technology entrepreneurship.

Expected Outcomes

The Annual Report will:

Increase awareness of economic realities.
Support evidence-based decision-making.
Influence policies and investments.
Highlight opportunities for collaboration.

Impact Indicators

Reports published annually.
Number of organizations using findings.
Citations and references.
Policy discussions influenced.

Program 2: Policy Brief Series

Turning Research Into Actionable Policy Solutions

Program Overview

Policy briefs provide concise, evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers.

CBEE Women’s Policy Brief Series will address critical issues affecting Black women’s advancement.

Potential Policy Areas

Economic Inclusion

Topics:

Access to capital.
Entrepreneurship support.
Supplier diversity.

Employment Equity

Topics:

Workplace advancement.
Pay equity.
Leadership pathways.

Technology Inclusion

Topics:

AI participation.
Digital skills.
STEM representation.

Financial Empowerment

Topics:

Wealth creation.
Financial literacy.
Investment access.

Policy Brief Structure

Each brief will include:

Issue overview.
Evidence and data.
Community perspectives.
Policy gaps.
Recommendations.
Implementation strategies.

Expected Outcomes

Improved policy understanding.
Increased institutional action.
Stronger advocacy outcomes.

Program 3: Research Papers & Academic Partnerships

Advancing Knowledge Through Rigorous Research

Program Overview

CBEE Women will conduct and support research that contributes to academic, institutional, and public understanding of Black women’s experiences.

Research partnerships may include:

Universities.
Research institutes.
Government agencies.
Community organizations.

Research Areas

Economic Mobility

Examining:

Income growth.
Career advancement.
Wealth pathways.

Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

Researching:

Business creation.
Financing barriers.
Growth opportunities.

Leadership Representation

Analyzing:

Board diversity.
Executive participation.
Decision-making influence.

Innovation Participation

Studying:

STEM pathways.
AI participation.
Digital entrepreneurship.

Expected Outcomes

Increased research knowledge.
Stronger evidence base.
Greater recognition of Black women’s contributions.

Program 4: Data Dashboards

Making Progress Visible Through Accessible Data

Program Overview

Data dashboards transform complex information into accessible insights.

The CBEE Women Data Dashboard will provide measurable indicators related to Black women’s economic advancement.

Dashboard Categories

Leadership Dashboard

Tracking:

Board representation.
Executive leadership.
Public appointments.

Entrepreneurship Dashboard

Tracking:

Business ownership.
Funding access.
Growth trends.

Employment Dashboard

Tracking:

Workforce participation.
Industry representation.
Career advancement.

Innovation Dashboard

Tracking:

STEM participation.
AI careers.
Technology entrepreneurship.

Economic Prosperity Dashboard

Tracking:

Income.
Wealth indicators.
Financial inclusion.

Expected Outcomes

Improved transparency.
Better decision-making.
Stronger accountability.

Program 5: Economic Outlooks

Understanding Trends Shaping Black Women’s Economic Futures

Program Overview

Economic outlook reports provide forward-looking analysis of opportunities, risks, and emerging trends.

CBEE Women’s Economic Outlooks will examine:

Labour market changes.
Technology disruption.
Entrepreneurship trends.
Investment opportunities.
Global economic shifts.

Purpose

Economic outlooks help stakeholders understand:

Where opportunities are emerging.
Where barriers exist.
What strategies are needed.

Expected Outcomes

Better strategic planning.
Increased preparedness.
Stronger economic decision-making.

Program 6: Case Studies & Success Stories

Celebrating Solutions, Innovation, and Black Women’s Achievements

Program Overview

Success stories inspire action and demonstrate what is possible.

CBEE Women will document examples of:

Entrepreneurs building businesses.
Leaders transforming organizations.
Innovators creating solutions.
Communities developing initiatives.

Case Study Areas

Examples include:

Business growth journeys.
Leadership advancement.
Technology innovation.
Community impact.
Economic transformation.

Expected Outcomes

Increased visibility.
Role model development.
Knowledge sharing.
Replication of successful approaches.

Program 7: Gender Equity Reports

Measuring Progress Toward Inclusion and Opportunity

Program Overview

Gender equity requires intentional measurement.

CBEE Women’s Gender Equity Reports examine:

Representation.
Access.
Advancement.
Workplace experiences.
Economic opportunities.

Research Areas

Workplace Equity

Examining:

Hiring.
Promotion.
Leadership access.

Economic Equity

Examining:

Entrepreneurship.
Capital access.
Wealth creation.

Institutional Equity

Examining:

Policies.
Practices.
Accountability.

Expected Outcomes

Increased awareness.
Better organizational strategies.
Improved accountability.

Program 8: Leadership Index

Measuring Black Women’s Representation and Influence in Leadership

Program Overview

The CBEE Women Leadership Index will measure the presence and advancement of Black women across leadership spaces.

Index Areas

Tracking:

Corporate leadership.
Nonprofit leadership.
Public sector leadership.
Board representation.
Political participation.

Purpose

The Leadership Index will:

Identify gaps.
Highlight progress.
Encourage accountability.
Support leadership strategies.

Expected Outcomes

Increased leadership visibility.
Better representation strategies.
Stronger leadership pipelines.

Program 9: Black Women Prosperity Index

Canada’s Leading Measurement Framework for Black Women’s Economic Advancement

Program Overview

The Black Women Prosperity Index will be CBEE Women’s flagship measurement initiative.

It will provide a comprehensive assessment of the conditions influencing Black women’s economic success.

The Index will measure progress across multiple dimensions.

Index Dimensions

1. Economic Opportunity

Indicators:

Employment.
Income.
Career advancement.

2. Entrepreneurship

Indicators:

Business ownership.
Revenue growth.
Market access.

3. Financial Empowerment

Indicators:

Savings.
Investment.
Asset ownership.

4. Leadership Representation

Indicators:

Executive roles.
Board positions.
Public leadership.

5. Innovation Participation

Indicators:

STEM careers.
AI involvement.
Technology entrepreneurship.

6. Social and Community Impact

Indicators:

Community leadership.
Mentorship.
Civic participation.

Expected Outcomes

The Black Women Prosperity Index will:

Create a national benchmark.
Measure progress over time.
Inform policy decisions.
Guide investments.
Strengthen accountability.

Overall Pillar 5 Impact Framework

Program Area	Short-Term Outcomes	Long-Term Impact
Annual Reports	Increased awareness	National understanding of progress
Policy Briefs	Evidence-based recommendations	Improved policies
Research Papers	Knowledge creation	Stronger academic and institutional understanding
Data Dashboards	Transparent measurement	Accountability and informed action
Economic Outlooks	Future-focused insights	Better economic strategies
Case Studies	Increased visibility	Replication of successful models
Gender Equity Reports	Equity measurement	More inclusive institutions
Leadership Index	Representation tracking	Increased leadership diversity
Black Women Prosperity Index	National benchmark	Long-term economic transformation

Strategic Partnerships

CBEE Women will collaborate with:

CBEE Women Research & Knowledge Vision

CBEE Women believes that what is measured can be understood, and what is understood can be transformed.

Through the Research & Knowledge Hub, CBEE Women will ensure that Black women’s experiences, contributions, challenges, and achievements are documented, recognized, and used to influence decisions.

The Hub will become a trusted source of intelligence driving:

Better policies.
Stronger institutions.
Greater accountability.
Increased investment.
Inclusive economic growth.

When we measure progress, we accelerate change. When we amplify knowledge, we empower communities. When we center evidence, we create systems where Black women can prosper.