Events & Experiences
LBIH brings people together through recurring community experiences and an annual flagship convening that strengthens regional innovation. Fridays After 5 is our weekly gathering. BRIDGE is our annual flagship event.
This Week at Fridays After 5
Lanterna Black Innovation Hub
FA5: Black And Free: A Research-Creation Project
The Pan-African Initiative for Research (PAIR) invites you to our first “Speculative Collective: Sankofa Edition” gathering. In this special edition of Fridays After 5.
- Date: May 22th 2026
- Location: University of Waterloo, East Campus 5, Room 1111, East Campus 5 (EC5), 305 Phillip Street, Waterloo
- Who should attend: Students, faculty, staff, professionals, founders, and community members
Fridays After 5 (FA5)
Fridays After 5 Networking aims to foster a welcoming environment for Black students, faculty, staff, and professionals in the Waterloo region to connect, share ideas, and support one another.
What to expect
FA5 creates space for conversation, learning, and community-building. Sessions are shaped by community needs and may include presentations, founder spotlights, open dialogue, skill-building moments, and collaborative themes.
- Welcoming environment designed for connection and mutual support
- Community-led themes alongside partner collaborations
- Opportunities to meet founders, professionals, and ecosystem partners
- Ways to contribute through volunteering or hosting a session
BRIDGE: Black Regional Innovation Dialogue & Growth Exchange
BRIDGE: Black Regional Innovation Dialogue & Growth Exchange, a high-impact evening intentionally designed to connect Black founders, professionals, investors, and ecosystem leaders across the Waterloo Region and beyond. BRIDGE is more than a networking event, it’s a space for meaningful dialogue, relationship-building, and actionable pathways to capital, mentorship, and growth.
What BRIDGE is designed to do
BRIDGE blends community-led collaboration with high-level regional convening. It strengthens relationships, aligns ecosystem stakeholders, and creates opportunities for founders and partners to move from connection to action.
- Connect founders, professionals, investors, and ecosystem leaders
- Create space for meaningful dialogue and relationship-building
- Support actionable pathways to capital, mentorship, and growth
- Enable partnership and sponsorship to strengthen regional impact
Highlights Archive
Recent sessions and flagship convenings. Add more entries over time to show momentum and history.
FA5: Debate Session
A community session centered on debate and discussion, creating space for ideas, perspective-sharing, and connection.
FA5: Afrofuturism Film Screening + Roundtable
A special screening and conversation exploring Afrofuturism through community dialogue and partner collaboration.
BRIDGE: Black Regional Innovation Dialogue & Growth Exchange
An evening designed to connect founders, professionals, investors, and ecosystem leaders through dialogue and actionable pathways to growth.
See What Our Events Feel Like
Watch moments from LBIH events and experiences to get a sense of the energy, connection, and community.
Community in Action
Connection & Conversation
Experience LBIH
Collaborate with LBIH
Whether you want to host an FA5 session, volunteer, sponsor BRIDGE, or co-create a community experience, we welcome collaboration.