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The Habeeb Okunola Foundation (HOF) transformed a standard community gathering into a powerful launchpad for female entrepreneurship in Brampton, Canada, on the 13th of March 2026, delivering a high-impact celebration of International Women’s Day 2026. Far beyond a ceremonial event, the foundation, in partnership with Make Mee Elegant Foundation, the City of Brampton, and The Salvation Army, orchestrated a comprehensive day of skill-building and recognition designed to create tangible economic change for local women.

At the heart of the initiative was an intensive hands-on training session held within the welcoming walls of The Salvation Army’s Brampton premises. The room buzzed with creative energy as women from the local community immersed themselves in learning practical, marketable crafts. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, they mastered the intricacies of crafting durable flip-flop slippers, the delicate art of cloth stoning to embellish fabrics, and the precise work of creating fancy key holders. The goal was clear: to provide these women with immediate, accessible tools to generate side income.

High Chief Dr Habeeb Olalekan Okunola, the founder of the foundation and President of CINI Holdings, who was represented by Mrs Kehinde Adelaja-Okoroafor was present to witness and coordinate the transformation firsthand. She  articulated the driving philosophy behind the event, stating that for the founder of HOF, empowerment is the most meaningful expression of wealth. She further stressed that the objective was not just to teach a skill, but to ignite a transition, turning attendees from talented individuals into confident business owners who could leverage their newly acquired abilities to build sustainable livelihoods.

In a decisive move to bridge the gap between learning and earning, the foundation identified three exceptional students from the workshop and provided them with immediate start-up capital. This direct financial boost was met with visible joy and relief, ensuring that their newfound skills would not lie dormant but would instead be fueled into immediate entrepreneurial action.

The city’s leadership took significant notice of the foundation’s impactful work. His Worship, Mayor Patrick Brown, offered a ringing endorsement of HOF’s initiative, commending their choice to invest in Brampton’s women. He personally extended his gratitude to High Chief Okunola with an official letter of thanks, acknowledging the foundation’s exceptional contribution to the community and extending an invitation for a formal meeting in May 2026 to explore future avenues for partnership with the City of Brampton.

On the 14th of March momentum carried into the day with an awards ceremony, where the Deputy Mayor stood in for Mayor Brown to help spotlight the achievements of local heroines. The event honoured a selection of prominent Brampton women whose tireless efforts and significant impact have helped shape the community. This dual focus empowering the next wave of female entrepreneurs while celebrating established leaders perfectly encapsulated the shared mission of the Habeeb Okunola Foundation and Make Mee Elegant Foundation to champion the development and success of women at every stage of their journey. The event served as a powerful testament to what international collaboration and community-focused action can achieve in the pursuit of gender equality and economic empowerment.