Accelerate Auto and BMO Dealer Finance Partner to Amplify Opportunities for Black Talent

Partnership will support Accelerate Auto’s education programs to attract, develop and promote Black talent in Canada’s automotive industry.

TORONTO, June 5, 2024 —  Accelerate Auto, a not-for-profit focused on increasing representation of Black talent across Canada’s automotive industry, is pleased to announce a new partnership with BMO to help support the organization’s efforts to attract more diverse talent.

“We are delighted to announce our latest partnership with BMO,” said Jerome Chinner, Accelerate Auto Executive Chair of Corporate Partnerships. “We are enthusiastic about uniting with BMO, an organization that resonates with our vision and dedication to advancing inclusivity in the automotive sector. Together, BMO Dealer Finance and Accelerate Auto will stand as symbols of advancement, raising the bar for diversity and inclusiveness within the industry. 

“Canada’s automotive industry has a keen interest to grow and meet the demands of consumers and that requires a workforce that reflects the robust and multicultural population buying and leasing vehicles,” said Andre Salvi, Group Head – Dealer Finance, BMO. “BMO has a role to play alongside community organizations like Accelerate Auto to help attract more diverse talent to the automotive industry and that starts at the grass roots level. At BMO, our Purpose is to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life and we are pleased to support Accelerate Auto in their efforts to reach tomorrow’s skilled workers and amplify the fulfilling careers available within the automotive sector.” 

Accelerate Auto delivers impactful programming built around its four pillars of Awareness, Development, Mentorship and Community. Among other initiatives, Accelerate Auto is working closely with various school boards and colleges, and is engaging in speaking opportunities and other engagements to introduce the auto industry as an attractive career option. This partnership will help support these efforts to ensure more people hear from experts working in the industry, particularly from the deep pool of Black talent that are members of Accelerate Auto.

The founding members of the organization represent dealerships, manufacturers, industry associations, the aftermarket, suppliers and the media. Accelerate Auto is looking for more organizations throughout the automotive industry in Canada to get involved.

Accelerate Auto is leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to help spread the word and create a network of Black professionals in automotive to support mentoring, peer-to-peer networking and other initiatives.

To get involved, or to learn more about how you can support please visit www.accelrateauto.ca or  email info@accelerateauto.ca.

About Accelerate Auto

Accelerate Auto is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing Black representation in the Canadian automotive industry. We provide Black talent and youth with access to mentorship for skills building and peer networking to support professional growth and career development. We facilitate career pathing through the form of internships to attract more Black talent to automotive and build awareness of opportunities within the industry. We are dedicated to creating a stronger and more diverse automotive workforce.  www.accelerateauto.ca 

About BMO Financial Group

BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.4 trillion as of April 30, 2024. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.

BMO Gives. Good grows here.

Helping communities thrive by supporting the organizations that sustain them and encouraging employee giving and volunteerism is at the heart of BMO's Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. In 2023, our social impact included more than $84 million donated to hundreds of charities and non-profit organizations across North America to help drive progress by enabling individuals to thrive and communities to prosper. Our colleagues spent almost 62,000 hours volunteering in the community and contributed more than $31.2 million of donations through our annual employee giving program. For more information, please visit BMO.com.

For media inquiries please contact:

info@accelerateauto.ca