July 7, 2022

BMO Partners With Black Professionals in Tech Network To Support Black Talent

Banking platform BMO recently announced its partnership with the Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN), North America’s largest community of Black tech and business professionals.

The partnership will focus on supporting and providing opportunities for Black professionals in the financial services industry. It will also help the banking platform increase representation of Black colleagues by bridging the network gap.

BMO’s recent announcement with BPTN falls under their Zero Barriers to Inclusion Strategy, highlighting its critical goals for the year. The Inclusion Strategy includes reaching new hiring targets and providing access to career development for newcomers.

BPTN is a multi-sided marketplace that enables Black professionals to connect globally. The platform, founded by Lekan Olawoye in 2017, is dedicated to bridging the network gap between Black talent and career opportunities across North America. Not only does it help provide hiring and career opportunities to Black professionals, but it also provides members with access to mentorship and skill-building opportunities.

“We are proud to welcome BMO back to the BPTN community, and we look forward to growing our partnership over the next three years,” said Lekan Olawoye, BPTN founder and CEO.

“We are also very happy to see BMO showing up in such a meaningful way, at the BFUTR Summit 2022, at the Summit Found Partnership level. We look forward to helping BMO build the tools required to attract, hire, retain and promote Black talent throughout their organization.”

The Black-owned networking platform has rapidly grown over the years and has over 50,000 Black professionals registered to the app. Members have unlimited access to mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and a strong peer network to support professional growth and advancement.

“Creating a more inclusive society is foundational to who we are as a company,” said Vanessa Lewerentz, Chief Inclusion Officer, BMO Financial Group. “Marginalized people have long faced systemic barriers in and out of the workplace, and we are committed to accelerating initiatives that will create meaningful and sustainable change.”

Kumba Kpakima

Kumba Kpakima is a reporter at POCIT. A documentary about the knife crime epidemic in the UK got her a nomination for the UK's #30toWatch Young Journalists of the Year.