OnyX
Onyx Initiative is a non-profit organization founded by entrepreneurs and philanthropists Wayne and Nigela Purboo in the wake of the 2020 global social justice movement and the subsequent call to action. The organization was established on the simple premise that anyone seeking meaningful employment and advancement, who is equipped and eager to fulfill the duties of a role, should have an equal opportunity to do so. Onyx's purpose is to expand the recruitment pipeline by offering comprehensive career development resources and forging mutually beneficial corporate, educational, and community partnerships to close the systemic gap in the hiring, retention and promotion of Black college and university students and recent graduates for roles in corporate Canada.
Onyx's model is based on a dual and complementary value proposition - leverage post-secondary educational resources to create an expansive supply of high potential Black talent and collaborate with prominent businesses to nurture a growing demand for more inclusive internships and full-time placements. In short, the Onyx Scholars Program is designed to ensure participants are equipped with critical decision-making support before they land an opportunity and the essential skills to thrive in a range of work environments throughout their career journey.
Some of the resources that Onyx provides include Mentorship, Career Coaching, Scholarships, Employer Discovery Sessions, Career Development Webinars, a LinkedIn Learning Club Series, Career Exploration Meetups, and Executive Fireside Chats. Our signature event is a Black Professionals Career Fair, which allows scholars from across the country to visit our corporate partners’ virtual booths, network with recruiters, and interview for jobs on the spot.
Since inception, Onyx has received more than 1000 applications for the Scholars Program and have welcomed over 900 participants; many of whom have secured internships and full-time positions and often tout the fact that the resources have made a tremendous difference in their lives, personally and professionally.