Where culturally-centered learning meets production-ready infrastructure — build ventures, test pilots, and create media that tells your story.
SSLP Venture Hub at Fraser Street Studios
The Supports for Student Learning Program (SSLP) is a no-cost after school program with mentorship for Black Youth in BC that aims to support youth in their journey to post-secondary education.
New cohort runs from March 10 – May 17.
- Professional studio and community space in East Vancouver powering Venture Hub outputs
- Two right-sized tiers (Foundational → Builders) that move youth from learning → doing
- Practitioner-led curriculum, hands-on labs, partner pilots, and public showcases
ABOUT THE SPACE
What the Venture Hub is
The Venture Hub turns classroom learning into real, visible outcomes this term. We combine culturally centred mentorship, hands-on skill-building, and professional production so young people can move from ideas to evidence: filmed pitch videos, tested mini-pilots, short-form media for audiences, and step-by-step launches or career plans.
Fraser Street Studios is the Hub’s engine. As a production-ready studio and community space in East Vancouver, the studio gives participants professional tools and workflows for multi-camera shoots, pro audio, lighting, and editing so their work looks and sounds like what partners expect. That means pitches that are film-ready, demo videos that work in market tests, and storytelling assets partners can use for promotion and evaluation.
We connect three things that matter: trusted mentors with lived experience, partner-led pilot opportunities that expose work to real customers, and production systems that make outputs shareable and fundable. The Hub’s weekly seminars and monthly labs focus on practice — not just theory — and every Builder cohort finishes with a public showcase where learners present to partners, mentors, and potential employers.
What participants and partners get
For youth:
Concrete deliverables — a pitch deck, a tested pilot report, media assets, and a launch or career roadmap.
For partners:
Curated talent, low-risk pilot design, and professionally produced collateral for evaluation and promotion.
For schools & founders:
Measurable outputs and audit-ready documentation that tie learning to real outcomes.
Ready to see it in action? Register for the current cohort or book a studio tour at Fraser Street Studios to experience a Hub session live.
How participants move forward
- Register → short intake + readiness conversation
- Placement → Foundation or Builder (we recommend where you’ll get the most impact)
- Learn & make → weekly seminars, labs, mentor hours, pilot work
- Showcase → Builder pitch/demo night + partner placements
Core Readiness
Foundational
- Participants exploring ideas or needing core skills.
- Focuses on safe anti-racism dialogue, reporting literacy, financial basics, digital/AI integrity, mental health and future visioning.
- Outcome: Foundational proposal or career roadmap + personal next steps.
Next cohort: March 10th to May 17th; online Tuesday evenings
Core Readiness
Builders
- Participants ready to test and scale ideas.
- Focuses on pilot design & testing, compliance, branding & GTM, sales channels & cashflow, pitch prep and leadership + wellness.
- Outcome: Tested mini-pilot, pitch-ready deck, and a practical launch/placement plan.
Next cohort: March 10th to May 17th; in-person @ Fraser Street Studios on the weekends
Curriculum
Foundational Tier
Ethical & healthy technology use
- Introduces safe, privacy-conscious digital practices and guidelines for using technology creatively and responsibly (including digital wellbeing and online safety).
Anti-racism in business
- Teaches how to design businesses and programs that confront racism—embedding equity goals across mission, hiring, pay, marketing and partnerships so impact and profit align.
AI integrity & responsible use
- Practical rules for using AI ethically: disclose AI use, check for bias, protect privacy, avoid plagiarism, and verify accuracy before publishing or acting on AI outputs.
Financial literacy
- Core money skills for life and enterprise — budgeting, saving, basic investing, debt avoidance and simple financial planning for early-stage ventures or personal stability.
Career readiness & market research
- Job- and market-ready skills, including communication, critical thinking, networking, and hands-on market research (trends, customer needs, competitor analysis).
Entrepreneurship
- Idea development, validation and early venture mechanics through practical exercises that develop resilience and business know-how.
Mental health & wellness
- Practical self-care, stress management, and resilience techniques to maintain wellbeing amid academic or entrepreneurial pressures.
Future visioning
- Visioning and goal-setting exercises to help participants map bold futures and design pathways — careers, college, or entrepreneurial trajectories.
Builders Tier
Business readiness diagnostics
- Assess idea viability (customers, costs, pricing).
Safety, compliance & registration - Workplace safety, regulatory requirements, certifications, sole proprietor registration.
Branding, marketing & pricing
- Brand identity, low-cost digital marketing, pricing strategies.
Sales channels & cashflow analysis
- Channel options, cashflow forecasting, break-even scenarios.
Soft pilot / launch (focus groups & testing)
- Station-based tests (e.g., 20 participants in rotating groups) to refine offerings.
Risk assessment & mitigation
- Identify risks from pilot feedback and design mitigation plans.
Mental health & leadership support
- Leadership coaching and stress management for launch cycles.
Pitch preparation
- Investor/partner ready decks, story arc, financials, and clear asks
Culminating Project — Business Proposal Event
Two pathways: Entrepreneur track (startup proposal with ethics, anti-racism commitments, financials, wellness plan) or Career/College track (3-year roadmap, skills plan, wellness safeguards).
All participants attend; top submissions present at the final showcase.
Next cohort: March 10 – May 17
Outputs participants leave with
What participants create
Venture concept & plan
Actionable next steps
Pitch & proposal
Deck + budget basics
Pilot findings
Test results and iteration plan
Media assets
Filmed pitch, short clips, and storytelling assets at Fraser Street Studios
Career roadmap
Post-secondary or launch plan
speakers & session formats
Practitioners who teach what's real
Formats
- Weekly interactive 2-hour virtual seminars (Foundation Tier)
- Weekly in-person labs at Fraser Street Studios (hands-on) (Builder Tier)
- Mentor office hours (1:1 & small groups)
- Builder showcase — live pitch/demo night (filmed and streamed)
Our media studio
Fraser Street Studios production-ready, community-first
Fraser Street Studios is a professional media studio and community space in East Vancouver built for creators, nonprofits, partners, and the SSLP Venture Hub. The studio is the production engine for the Hub: multi-camera podcast and interview setups, pro audio and lighting, post-production support, and a reliable community environment that lets teams show up, create, and walk away with ready-to-share work.
Studio quick services
- Podcast recording (2-person and multi-guest setups)
- Video shoots & content production (interviews, reels, promos, education content)
- Editing & post-production support (by request)
- Community space bookings (workshops, cohort labs, partner nights)
Equipment availability varies by session needs and protected programming blocks.
Impact
Proven outcomes
We track demographics, attendance, outputs (pitches/pilots/media), placements, and program spending to ensure transparency and continuous improvement.
120
Youth served province-wide
90%
Post-secondary enrollment among participants
30
Internship placements
“Before SSLP, I had never come across a program tailored to the unique experiences and challenges Black students face. I often felt there weren’t enough spaces that catered to my needs or provided guidance for my future. SSLP gave me that opportunity, and I am incredibly grateful for it.“
FAQ
Who is the Hub for?
Black youth in BC seeking mentorship, practical skills, and outcomes (cohort age ranges apply).
Do I need a business idea?
No — Foundation builds clarity; Builder supports testing and launching.
How long is the term?
Weekly in person per term. Builder participants should budget extra pilot hours.
Can partners recruit from the cohort?
Yes — with participant consent and agreed placement terms.
Who do I contact?
info@bccommunityalliance.com
How do I get started with your services?
To get started, simply click the ‘Get Started’ button below to fill out our inquiry form, and a member of our team will reach out to you shortly.
Ready to turn learning into outputs?
Fraser Street Studios — 2455 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5T 1T1
Questions? Email partners@bccommunityalliance.ca