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  2. The Blue Nile Program
Melbourne Social Equity Institute

The Blue Nile Program

A business masterclass program for African Australian entrepreneurs
19 – 24 September 2022

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The Blue Nile African Australian Business Masterclass Program is a heavily subsidised program designed for African Australian entrepreneurs and leaders of not-for-profit organisations.

The program has been developed by the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the African Australian community to respond to the specific challenges faced by African Australian entrepreneurs in the Australian business landscape.

Participants engage with entrepreneurs, world-class staff executives, managers and community leaders, who will share tools for growing businesses and developing economic opportunities for the community at large.

The program is hosted by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and supported by the Scanlon Foundation.

Applications for the 2022 program closed on Friday 19 August.

Catherine Jonathan, Founder, Emerging Brand Africa

All the Modules in the Blue Nile program were really insightful and rich in knowledge. I have also been able to broaden my network with fellow start-up entrepreneurs, business partners and friendly networks. After undertaking the program, I feel equipped to grow my business that culturally serves my community but also bring the wider Australian community on board in partnerships. It’s definitely a mini-MBA with practical industry expertise and a whole community that supports your entrepreneurial journey!

Peter Bol, Olympic Athlete, Speaker and Entrepreneur

There have been several benefits of undertaking the Blue Nile program, including the content and knowledge shared from different lecturers and guest speakers, working together with other Blue Nilers and listening to different business experiences and finally breaking into small break-out rooms over Zoom to do exercises. It has made me rethink the whole idea of doing it all on my own and entertain the idea of bringing in others to join my business because accountability breeds success. I appreciate and really enjoyed the program

Matthew Adekponya, Content Creator and Media Specialist

I joined the Blue Nile program because I was interested in developing my business skills and adding value to my work. What drew me to the program initially was the diverse range of professionals conducting the course who are highly successful in their respective fields and the opportunity to learn from them, and most importantly, who were African Australians. One of the main benefits of the program and the conversations that took place was improving my real-world experience through other people. The other students in the class were from various fields and I got the opportunity to learn from each of these people, and this enabled me to have a greater understanding for their different walks of life. One of the main takeaways that I was able to implement right away was in my pricing and improving my margins, which was something I picked up in one of the very first lessons. I could not speak highly enough of the overall program, and I hope that I can be involved in the program moving forward.

Zara Hassan, Founder, Trefem Agency and Co-founder, African Female Founders Network

I heard about the Blue Nile Program through the Victorian Government’s African Community Action Plan. I was advised to have a look at the program and was fortunate enough to be accepted into it. The highlights for me were the Business Negotiation and the Sales and Marketing lessons, which I have applied to my own business. I found that the subject matter experts were highly skilled and readily willing to share this knowledge, which was really important. I also got to meet and network with a lot of other people of African background who run their own businesses and that has created a network for us to access in the future. If anyone wants to apply to this program, I would highly recommend the Blue Nile Masterclass Program.

Selba Gondoza Luka, Co-founder, Afri-Aus Care

The program opened our eyes and equipped us with skills and information which we were able to implement as we learnt it, and which we continue to use. I realised through the course, that we should not limit ourselves as African entrepreneurs. The program opened its doors to many successful entrepreneurs who we were able to learn from. I also connected well with my mentor, and I am extremely happy with the program.

This is the first year we are trialling an intensive format for the program. We would like to ensure equitable access to the program and are able to provide supports to those with caring responsibilities to participate in the program.

The program is delivered over 6 days, with a different subject area covered each day.

These sessions have been designed to strengthen the capacity of participants in the following areas:

  • Business Strategy: Formulate effective growth-oriented business strategies
  • Accounting and Finance: Develop sound financial management tools for your enterprises
  • Marketing: Craft unique market value propositions
  • Leadership and Social Impact: Develop your leadership skills and empower your community
  • Managing People: Develop and lead effective workforces
  • Australian Business Culture: Effectively negotiate deals and manage business relations in the Australian business context

Program Dates 2022

Monday 19 September
Tuesday 20 September
Wednesday 21 September
Thursday 22 September
Friday 23 September
Saturday 24 September

Location: Online and/or at the University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus

  • Haileluel Gebre-selassie

    Community Program Director

  • Ben Neville

    Academic Program Director

  • Samuelson Appau

    Program Coordinator

  • Precious Rametsana

    Program Administrator

Haileluel Gebre-selassie

Community Program Director

Haileluel Gebre-selassie holds a Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Melbourne and a Master of International Social Work from La Trobe University. He is the Program Manager of the African Leadership Development Program. He is a Winston Churchill Fellow and current Chair of the African Think Tank. He is also Chair of the African Communities Task Force established by Victoria Police and a recipient of the Member of the Order of Australia and Melbourne Award.

Ben Neville

Academic Program Director

Associate Professor Ben Neville researches and teaches in the area of sustainable business in the Faculty of Business & Economics at the University of Melbourne. He is the Coordinator of Leadership for Social Impact at the Centre of Workplace Leadership.

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Samuelson Appau

Program Coordinator

Dr Samuelson Appau is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Melbourne Business School. He has a background in marketing and market research and holds a PhD in Marketing from the University of Melbourne. Samuelson also consults for start-ups and entrepreneurs on how to build and sustain strong brands.

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Precious Rametsana

Program Administrator

Precious Rametsana is a recent Master of Management graduate of the Melbourne Business School and currently researches and teaches within the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Melbourne. Precious is also a current committee member of the Incubate Foundation and a former board member of the Africa Australia Chamber of Commerce.

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Blue Nile Program Participants 2022

Group of 12 people

Atem James Mayen
Founder, Diversity Education Solutions

David Muchacha
Founder, LND Property Investments

Helen Manzini
Founder, Endow Support and Consulting

Justin Bramble
Founder, JB Cricket Coaching

Mary Kanyingi
Founder, Oasis Pro Healthcare Services

Menasik Dewanyang
Founder, The Reframe Project

Nasalifya Namwingaz
Founder, Pola Practice

Oluwatobi Ogunleye 
Founder, Technology Consulting

Selome Woldesemayat
Founder and Entrepreneur

Tarisai Shinya 
Founder, Savannah Fashions

Tendai Karys
Founder, Karys Health

Terefe Ejigu 
Founder, Greatview Care

Blue Nile Program Participants 2021

Amran Abdi
Founder, Gabar Nool

Khadra Abdi
Founder, SKJ Gold

Shukri Abi
Founder, Abi Hearing

Bilisuma Adem
Founder, Disability Home Nursing

Keletso Adeola  
Founder, Base Disability

Maryjane Amos
Founder, Muve-box

Peter Bol
Founder and Entrepreneur, Peter Bol

Louis Adjei Danso
Founder, Fintik Finance

Monica Aweng Deng
Pharmaceutical Entrepreneur and Manager

Francis Gala
Founder, FoMu Design Lab

Catherine Jonathan
Founder, Emerging Brand Africa

Musangwe Kalowa
Founder, Lemba Group

Mpho Keipidile
Founder, Builtup Solutions

Walter Makoni
Founder, Glowing Pavers

Goabaone Molelekwa
Founder, Moremotala Osteopathy

Martin Mureithi
Founder, Simba Financial Services

Pelontle Rabai
Founder, Sheltering Arms

Lydia Tesema
Founder, Below The Surface

Salman Warsame
Founder, Local Transit

Blue Nile Program Participants 2020

Group photo of 20 people at an African restaurant. They are smiling at the camera and many are holding certificates.

Matthew Kwame Adekponya
Content Creator and Media Specialist

Taidanyasha Mabel Chigogora
Behavioural Therapist and Entrepreneur

Dawit Fesseha
Director, Yanga Coffee

Lorna Deng
Co-founder of DivTal

Angelina Dampson
Founder, Angie’s Kitchen

Abdillatif Fiqi
Managing Director, Gratitude In-Home Care

Ruth Karupeni
Owner and Managing Director, Ebenezer Group

Selba Gondoza Luka
Co-founder, Afri-Aus Care

Guido Melo
Founder, Melko

Sylvain Momo
Founder and Managing Director, SeniorsAlarm

Mina Mosaad
Founder, Glory Architecture

Nyarai Ndhlala
Founder, Sela Care

Eva Sarr
Founder, Centre for Multicultural Program Evaluation

Clyde Sharady
Founder and CEO,  Africa Media Australia
Managing Director, iMove Solutions

Zara Hassan
Founder, Trefem Agency
Co-founder, African Female Founders Network

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Blue Nile African Australian Business Masterclass Program please contact:

Dr Samuelson Appau
blue-nile@unimelb.edu.au
socialequity.unimelb.edu.au
+61 406 816 081

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