By Maliesa Cadogan, Franchise Leadership Coach, HOT Perspectives
Black History Month is here. It is a moment to reflect on the past and celebrate the present. As a franchise organization, recognizing this month can be both meaningful and fun, creating an inclusive environment while engaging your teams, franchise partners, and customers. Especially in the franchise industry, where StatsCan data reveals that only 12 per cent of small and medium enterprises are owned by members of visible minorities, championing the presence of Black voices becomes doubly important. Here are some creative ways to celebrate:
Spotlight your Black franchise partners
Every franchise network has incredible stories within it. Use your platform—whether it’s social media, internal newsletters, or a special event—to showcase Black franchisees, employees, or suppliers. Share their journeys, successes, and lessons learned in the industry. A simple Q&A feature or video interview can inspire and educate others, and remember: representation matters.
Support a local Black entrepreneur
Franchises thrive on entrepreneurship, and Black-owned businesses are an essential part of our communities. Organize a team outing to support a local Black-owned restaurant, bookstore, or service provider. Better yet, invite a Black entrepreneur to speak about their experience and share insights on navigating business ownership.
Host a cultural lunch & learn
What better way to bring people together than some delicious food and storytelling! Celebrate the Black cultures represented in your team by hosting a Lunch and Learn featuring traditional foods, music, and history. Partner with a local Black chef or caterer to highlight flavors from the Caribbean, Africa, or the Southern U.S., and create space for meaningful conversations.
Highlight Black trailblazers in your industry
Black entrepreneurs have paved the way in every industry, from beauty to tech to hospitality. Take time to recognize those who’ve broken barriers in your sector. Whether through an internal presentation, a team discussion, or a fun trivia challenge, this is a chance to educate and inspire your team and franchisees.
Plan an outing to celebrate Black art & culture
Explore local Black culture by visiting an art exhibit, attending a film screening, or supporting a Black theater production. Many cities host special events during Black History Month—make it a team experience and reflect on what you learn together.
A final thought: Are you celebrating everyone?
If your organization hasn’t planned a Black History Month celebration, take a moment to ask why. Do you take the same approach to other heritage months, such as Women’s History Month or Pride? Cultivating an engaged franchise network takes intention. Not just when it’s convenient, but as an ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming culture.