MDRNZE | Toronto Community Wealth Building Summit
October 9, 2024 from 5:30 – 9:00pm | Trinity Common, Kensington Market
“Community wealth building is an economic growth strategy; and the best roadmap for creating resilient, equitable neighbourhoods.”
Toronto’s local economy is at a crossroads. Commercial rents have surged 67% since June 2020, displacing longtime businesses and artists. MDRNZE brings together some of Toronto’s top neighbourhood builders to tackle these challenges and shape our city’s grassroots economic future.
Why Attend MDRNZE?
Here’s the situation:
- Commercial retail rents in Toronto have surged 67% on average since June 2020
- Corporate landlords are rapidly acquiring local retail, restaurant, and maker spaces
- Longtime businesses, artists, and community gathering spaces are being displaced
MDRNZE will bring together business leaders, creatives, policy experts, and community advocates that desire actionable strategies to:
- Keep wealth circulating within our communities
- Slow and reverse the displacement of local businesses
- Advocate for commercial tenant rights & policies to help local businesses acquire their spaces
This event will feature:
- Focused sessions on commercial rent solutions and community land trusts
- Discussion of new funding models like community bonds & employee ownership trusts
- Ample networking opportunities with Canada’s economic changemakers
- Active policy shaping discussion for neighborhood preservation
Who Should Attend?
- Small business owners planning for the future
- Community organizers and activists
- Policy analysts and urban planners
- Artists and Creatives worried about displacement
- Everyone passionate about preserving Toronto’s unique local economy
MDRNZE Agenda
5:30pm – 5:50pm: Networking
5:50pm – 6:00pm: Introductory remarks
6:00pm – 6:15pm: Commercial Rent Solutions | Better Way Alliance
6:15pm – 6:20pm: Sponsor Remarks | Paola Girotti of Sugarmoon
6:20pm – 6:35pm: Community Land Trusts | Kensington Community Land Trust
6:35pm – 6:45pm: Harrison Amit | HOVR
6:45pm – 7:10pm: Networking + Light Bites
7:10pm – 8:00pm: Panel Discussion: Building Resilient Cities Through Community Ownership
8:00pm – 8:10pm: Closing remarks
8:10pm – 8:45pm: Networking
EVENT SPEAKERS
CHLOE BROWN
>> Former Mayoral Candidate
>> Launching Co-Op
Chloe Brown, a Toronto native, is a dedicated public servant with a proven track record of innovative, practical policy. With experience in municipal, provincial, and federal labor markets, she brings a unique perspective to politics.
Her education in Public Administration and Governance, coupled with her work at the Future Skills Centre, equips her with the analytical skills to address complex workforce development issues.
As a Policy Analyst at the Future Skills Centre, Chloe supports policies aimed at helping Canadians thrive in the evolving job market.
HARRISON AMIT
>> Founder of HOVR
>> “100% Fare is 100% Fair”
Harrison Amit is revolutionizing the rideshare industry with on demand driver service HOVR, a groundbreaking company built on the principles of fairness, transparency, and community values.
As a two-time founder and CEO of HOVR, Harrison draws inspiration from his family, who instilled in him the importance of human connection and community. His mission is to create a global organization that champions equity and transparency.
Harrison is deeply dedicated to improving lives through technological advancements and a commitment to people over profit.
ANYIKA MARK
>> Coordinator
>> Little Jamaica CLT
Anyika Mark studied Political Science & Caribbean Studies at the University of Toronto-St. George campus. She has been organizing with Black Urbanism TO since 2019, organizing events, consultations, surveys, executing social media campaigns – and has developed strong relationships with community stakeholders in Little Jamaica.
Black Urbanism TO officially founded the Little Jamaica Community Land Trust in 2022- an entity that is designed to anchor Black businesses, residents and cultural heritage in Canada’s oldest Black enclave- Eglinton Wests Little Jamaica. Anyika is the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Little Jamaica Community Land Trust.
Shamez Amlani
>> Owner
>> Drom Taberna
PAOLA GIROTTI
Owner | Sugarmoon Salon, BodeSpa for Men, Sugarmoon Yoga
Sugarmoon, founded by Paola Girotti, is a Toronto-based wellness company exemplifying ethical, community-focused entrepreneurship. As an Ontario Living Wage Company, Sugarmoon demonstrates a commitment to fair employment practices in the personal care industry.
Over nearly two decades, the company has expanded from a single location to the Moon Brand of Companies, now comprising eight locations including Sugarmoon, Bode Spa for Men, and Sugarmoon Yoga. This growth showcases the potential for local businesses to scale while maintaining community ties and good jobs.
LILIANA CAMACHO
Director | Better Way Alliance | Economist
Lili is dedicated to sustainable environmental and business practices. She brings a deep understanding of global economy and modern market approaches to the BWA, along with hands-on knowledge from years as a Sustainability Consultant.
As the BWA’s resident economist, Liliana manages the BWA’s research projects and development of member-facing materials. She likes thinking deeply about the role of business owners in developing strong local markets that provide economic opportunity for all and keep people and the planet healthy.
AARON BINDER
Director | Better Way Alliance | Business Owner
Aaron is a long-time business owner (Go Tours Canada & Segway of Ontario) in Tourism, Retail & Events.
A practiced collaborator, he has co-developed critical mass grassroots movements during peak Canadian political moments – both in digital and IRL landscapes. His political experience spans multiple political parties and 2 years as President of Corktown Toronto – and now as the BWA’s Government Relations lead.
Aaron is a strong believer in collective action on ground-up economic reforms and regularly contributes to discussions in media & events on public policy and business ethics.
DOMINIQUE RUSSELL
Co-Director | Kensington Market Community Land Trust
Dominique Russell is a writer, activist and teacher. She started Friends of Kensington Market in 2013, mounting a successful city-wide campaign to stop a Walmart on the edge of the market.
Under her leadership, FOKM intervened on development files, offered de-escalation and naloxone training, helped organize and support tenants facing displacement and campaigned against ghost hotels.
In 2015, Dominique led a working group that set the parameters to establish the Kensington Market Community Land Trust. She is the research coordinator for the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts.
ZACK BRADLEY
Development Manager | Kensington Market Community Land Trust
Zack Bradley (he/him) has worked with the Kensington Market Community Land Trust (KMCLT) since August 2023. Zack works with the community to resist the displacement of local residents and businesses, while seeking equitable economic development and innovative partnerships.
His specific focus right now is finding ways for the KMCLT to acquire their next property. With a background in urban planning, Zack previously worked in real estate development in Toronto.
EVENT TICKETS AND FAQ
The summit’s agenda is packed with engaging content, including panel discussions on people first city-building – and focused sessions on commercial rent solutions and community land trusts. Ample networking opportunities will allow attendees to connect with passionate individuals and organizations dedicated to community development.
Whether you’re a community leader, local entrepreneur, policy analyst, project funder, or simply passionate about preserving Toronto’s unique local economy, MDRNZE offers valuable opportunities and connections. Secure your spot now.
General Admission
$10 + HST
Get into the event and make a splash with other changemakers.
General Admission + 2 Drinks
$24 + HST
Get into the event and directly support our venue with 2 drink tickets.
Generous Admission
$50 + HST
Enjoy MDRNZE and support both organizations hosting the event.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Community Wealth Building?
Community wealth building is an economic development approach that creates inclusive, sustainable local economies. Key aspects include:
Keeping wealth local: Promoting local ownership of businesses and assets to ensure profits circulate within the community.
Democratizing ownership: Encouraging models like cooperatives, employee-owned businesses, and community land trusts.
Leveraging anchor institutions: Partnering with local institutions like hospitals, universities, and government bodies to redirect their purchasing power towards local businesses.
Workforce development: Creating quality jobs and providing training opportunities to build skills within the community.
Place-based investing: Directing investments into the community through innovative financing models like community bonds or local investment funds.
Community wealth building aims to create resilient, equitable local economies where all community members can thrive. It recognizes the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental factors in community well-being.
The MDRNZE Summit will explore these concepts, providing practical strategies for implementing community wealth building in Toronto.
Why is community wealth building important for Toronto right now?
With quickly gentrifying neighbourhoods – keeping wealth local = slowing or stopping displacement of long-time residents and businesses.
As global economic forces reshape our urban landscape, there’s an urgent need to develop strategies that keep wealth circulating locally. This approach helps maintain the diverse, vibrant character of our communities, supports local businesses, and ensures that economic growth benefits residents directly. MDRNZE aims to address these challenges head-on, providing a platform for developing policy and market-based solutions that reduce displacement.
Why focus on local ownership and community-driven initiatives?
Local ownership and community-driven initiatives are key to building resilient neighborhoods. When businesses are locally owned, a larger portion of the revenue stays within the community, creating a multiplier effect that benefits the local economy. It also promotes sustainable tourism through long-term planning and engagement with local residents and businesses.
Community-driven wealth-building ensures that property development reflects the needs and values of residents. By focusing on these areas, MDRNZE aims to create a blueprint for economic development that prioritizes community well-being over external interests.
How does MDRNZE address the challenges faced by small businesses in Toronto?
Small businesses are the backbone of Toronto’s neighborhoods, but they face significant challenges, including rising rents, succession planning, and competition from large corporations.
MDRNZE will explore practical solutions to these issues, such as innovative commercial rent strategies and succession planning tools. By addressing these challenges, we aim to preserve the unique character of our local business districts and ensure that small businesses can thrive for generations to come in the neighbourhoods they call home.
Why is policy advocacy a key component of MDRNZE?
Policy plays a necessary role in shaping our economic environment. To create lasting change, we need to engage with and influence policy at municipal, provincial and federal levels of government.
The summit will serve as a springboard for developing policy recommendations that support community wealth building. By bringing together diverse event attendees, we aim to create effective policies that prioritize local economic resilience.
How does MDRNZE envision the future of Toronto's neighborhoods?
MDRNZE is driven by a vision of Toronto where neighborhoods are economically resilient, culturally vibrant, and locally controlled.
We imagine a future where wealth generated in communities stays in those communities, where local businesses thrive and pass on to new generations of owners, and where innovative funding models make it possible for residents to have a stake in their neighborhood’s development.
This summit is the first step towards realizing that vision, bringing together the ideas, people, and strategies needed to build a more equitable and sustainable urban economy.
EVENT SPONSORS
Event Sponsor
Tapestry Community Capital is a non-profit that supports organizations across Canada in raising capital using community bonds — an innovative financial tool allowing charities, nonprofits and cooperatives to sell bonds directly to their community members in order to finance socially and environmentally beneficial projects.
Through community bonds, organizations can control their own financing while keeping wealth local by returning interest to communities.
Tapestry has worked with organizations to raise over $100 million in community bonds from more than 4,000 community investors, financing projects in affordable housing, renewable energy, arts and culture, and more.
Event Sponsor
Sugarmoon, founded by Paola Girotti, is a Toronto-based wellness company exemplifying ethical, community-focused entrepreneurship. As an Ontario Living Wage Company, Sugarmoon demonstrates a commitment to fair employment practices in the personal care industry.
Over nearly two decades, the company has expanded from a single location to the Moon Brand of Companies, now comprising eight locations including Sugarmoon, Bode Spa for Men, and Sugarmoon Yoga. This growth showcases the potential for local businesses to scale while maintaining community ties and good jobs.
Paola’s industry advocacy, including founding the Beauty United Council of Ontario, highlights the importance of local business leadership in policy shaping and industry support. Sugarmoon’s focus on ethically sourced products and empowering client experiences aligns with their mission of promoting wellness and supporting local economic resilience.
Event Sponsor
At HOVR, we’re committed to making transportation more accessible and equitable for everyone, and we’re working hard to make that a reality.
Our mission is to provide drivers with equitable pay and riders with affordable, reliable transportation.
The HOVR leadership team has years of experience across a number of consumer facing industries and has been studying the ride-share industry for nearly half a decade. We are passionate about making a difference in the lives of both drivers and riders.
There are a multitude of reasons why people become drivers; from supporting families, sending money back home, putting kids through college & university, and still, all drivers shared a commonality – a desire to receive reasonable compensation and respect for their occupation. HOVR aims to become the rideshare platform that meets drivers needs.