Arriving in Canada 12 years ago, Nigerian-born Biyapo worked for the MasterCard Foundation for a five-year term to train young people across several universities around the globe, including Africa, to become the change they wanted to see in leadership.
Biyapo realized that in a world where any group of people want to progress, they need a solid grasp of the financial world. This includes understanding how banks operate and how individuals can navigate financial institutions.
In 2019 Biyapo joined TD as a senior business analyst before moving into product management. Following these roles, and in the wake of the movement that began with the death of George Floyd, Biyapo began participating in focus groups at TD which were intended to address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination.
With long-standing commitments to supporting Black communities, and the acceleration that pushed some Diversity and Inclusion initiatives that were in development stages into almost immediate action, the Black Customer Experience Team was launched in 2021 with Biyapo as one of the first on-board.
“The team was another step towards providing a unique offering to a demographic who would benefit from a community-focused approach," says Biyapo. " Since 2011 the Bank has been engaging with Black communities to better understand their needs, and this insight helped to formulate the customer-focused strategy in place today."
Biyapo says his goal when interacting with Black communities is to listen and understand their needs to determine how best to support them. Biyapo and his colleagues across the bank are working to deliver the services the communities are looking for as Biyapo's role is intended to build bridges between the bank and the community.
“The Black Customer Experience Strategy is unique to TD. We don't just have a lending program. We have a team whose entire business focus is dedicated to supporting this segment of the Canadian population,” says Biyapo.
In February 2023, the Black Entrepreneur Credit Access Program (BECAP) was launched to address the unique needs of Black-owned businesses. The program is available on loans and lines of credit of up to $250,000. The lending program provides enhanced credit reviews for Black entrepreneurs who face hurdles in securing a loan for their business. Offering specialized account managers and regional teams to support business owners via the Black Customer Experience Strategy, connections to community groups and affiliated organizations are frequently made to build an ecosystem of support for entrepreneurs.
“TD knows there isn't one homogenous Black community. The approach that we take is one that recognizes the diversity within the community and their lived experiences," says Biyapo.
"Addressing anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination doesn’t happen overnight, says Biyapo, " TD has been building relationships with Black communities for over 20 years."
Biyapo stresses that community insight backs the initiatives the Bank is building, and notes that the Bank is working to recognize gaps in financial services and address them through proactive outreach to Black communities,” says Biyapo.
He also notes that organizations like the Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) and the Federation of African Economics (FACE), have made it possible to reach an even-wider community, not only those that bank with TD.
“Generating awareness of these organizations is part of how we support Black entrepreneurs,” adds Biyapo.
Financial awareness is another focal point TD is working towards within Black communities. TD hosts financial literacy sessions and works with several organizations across Canada to reach members and provide information on debt management, credit cards, savings, RRSPs, TFSAs, tax optimization, business continuity, investments, retirement savings, and more.
Biyapo says visiting a TD branch and speaking to a personal banker is the first step to getting Black Canadians to feel confident about their financial journey.
To connect with a regional manager supporting the Black Customer Experience Strategy, you can email [email protected] or visit td.com/blackbusiness.
