Professional Series & Mixers
Connect. Learn. Grow.
Professional Series & Mixers bring together Black and Afro-Canadian women, professionals, mentors, entrepreneurs, creatives, students, and community leaders to build networks rooted in culture, learning, and mutual uplift.
Through curated events, mentorship circles, skills workshops, member perks, scholarships, microgrants, and showcase opportunities, the program helps remove barriers to opportunity and turn connection into real outcomes.
Opening Doors Through Networks, Mentorship, and Support
Professional Series & Mixers align with LIFF’s vision of networking, mentoring, and culture preservation. The program is designed to help women access the relationships, resources, and practical support they need to grow professionally and personally.
By bringing together professionals, mentors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and community partners, the program creates culturally responsive spaces where women can learn, collaborate, find sponsors, access financial supports, and build pathways toward meaningful opportunities.
Built for Women Ready to Connect, Build, and Move Forward
Professional Series & Mixers are created for Black and Afro-Canadian women who want to grow their networks, strengthen their careers, expand their businesses, access mentorship, preserve culture, and find tangible support.
The program welcomes women at different stages of life and work from students and recent graduates to early-career professionals, entrepreneurs, freelancers, creatives, and community leaders.
Early-Career Professionals
For women seeking mentorship, career acceleration, confidence, and meaningful professional connections.
Entrepreneurs & Freelancers
For small business owners, freelancers, and founders looking for clients, collaborators, funding, and practical business support.
Community Leaders & Creatives
For women who want to preserve culture, showcase their work, lead community initiatives, and build visibility.
Students & Recent Graduates
For students and graduates seeking industry connections, scholarships, mentorship, and career exposure.
What We Offer
Networking Mixers
Curated in-person and virtual gatherings to expand your professional circle, meet mentors, and find collaborators in an inclusive, culturally responsive space.
- Meet professionals, mentors, and collaborators
- Build relationships in a culturally responsive setting
- Expand your professional and community network
Mentorship Circles
Small-group mentorship with sector-specific leaders for career coaching, entrepreneurship guidance, and peer accountability.
- Connect with sector-specific mentors
- Receive career and entrepreneurship guidance
- Grow through peer support and accountability
Skills Workshops
Practical workshops on leadership, negotiation, resume and CV strategy, public speaking, digital presence, grant writing, and small-business operations.
- Build practical career and business skills
- Strengthen leadership and communication
- Learn tools for visibility, funding, and growth
Microgrants & Scholarships
Member-accessible microgrants and scholarships that support projects, training, certification, and pilot ideas that advance careers and community impact.
- Turn ideas into practical next steps
- Access support for training and certification
- Fund career-building or community-focused projects
Member Discounts & Perks
Exclusive discounts for business services, event tickets, professional development courses, and partner offerings.
- Benefit from partner-supported offers
- Access member-only discounts and services
- Save on professional development opportunities
Showcase & Pitch Nights
Opportunities for members to present work, receive feedback, find collaborators, access early-stage funding, and discover contract leads.
- Receive feedback and visibility
- Present your work in a supportive space
- Connect with collaborators, funders, and leads
Tangible Support That Moves Women Forward
Professional Series & Mixers are not only about meeting people. They are designed to help members access practical tools, mentorship, financial support, learning opportunities, and culture-centered community connections that can lead to real outcomes.
Career Growth
Gain mentorship, skills, and connections that support career confidence and advancement.
Business Support
Access workshops, collaborators, discounts, microgrants, and pitch opportunities that support business growth.
Cultural Connection
Build relationships in spaces that respect culture, identity, lived experience, and community.
Practical Opportunities
Connect with scholarships, sponsors, funding leads, service providers, and partner-supported resources.
Upcoming Professional Series Events
Professional Series & Mixers create opportunities for members to connect with knowledge, sponsorship, and financial supports that lead to real outcomes.
Past Event Highlights
Help Create Access to Opportunity
LIFF partners with local businesses, educational institutions, and service providers to deliver discounts, instructors, funding opportunities, mentorship, and professional development support.
Sponsors and partners can help expand access to career-building spaces, mentorship, microgrants, scholarships, business services, workshops, and community events.
- RECENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
People Are Frequently Asking Some Questions
Who can join Professional Series & Mixers?
The program is for Black and Afro-Canadian women, including early-career professionals, entrepreneurs, freelancers, creatives, students, recent graduates, mentors, and community leaders.
What types of events are included?
Events may include networking mixers, mentorship circles, skills workshops, showcase nights, pitch events, and professional development sessions
Do I need to be a LIFF member?
Some supports, such as microgrants, scholarships, discounts, and member perks, may be connected to membership access.
Can businesses or organizations partner with LIFF?
Yes. LIFF welcomes partnerships with local businesses, educational institutions, service providers, sponsors, instructors, and funders.
What kind of support can members access?
Members may access mentorship, networking opportunities, skills training, microgrants, scholarships, discounts, pitch opportunities, and professional development resources.
- HERCONNECT INITIATIVE
Build Your Network. Grow Your Opportunities.
Join Professional Series & Mixers to connect with mentors, professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, and community partners who can help you learn, grow, and move forward with confidence.