[Photograph of a group of individuals at the B.C. New Canadian Entrepreneur Awards Event]

Photograph of a group of unidentified individuals at the B.C. New Canadian Entrepreneur Awards event. Among the group of individuals are Sue Hammell and John Halani. The awards were sponsored by the Ethno Business Council of British Columbia in conjunction with corporate sponsors.

Sue Hammell is a former Member of the Legislative Assembly for Surrey-Green Timbers, serving multiple terms since 1991. She held key roles, including Minister for Women's Equality, and co-founded the Minerva Foundation for BC Women. Hammell also worked internationally to support female leaders and served as Executive Director of the Surrey Aboriginal Society.

John Halani was a hotelier in Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.) born in Masaka, Uganda. Halani came to B.C. in 1972 after escaping the persecution of the Idi Amin regime in Uganda. Halani, a 35-year-old business owner, had his assets confiscated by the Amin regime as he was leaving Uganda. His first job in Vancouver was with a glass company, from there he was able to lease out the Robsontrasse hotel in downtown Vancouver. By 1975, Halani was running the Tropicana Hotel across the street. Halani had an active political career, including being named honorary consul for Uganda in B.C., and was involved with the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. and other advocacy groups. He also served on multiple community boards, including as chair of the Ethno Business Council.

The Ethno Business Council of British Columbia (Ethno BC) was established in 1988 to recognize and celebrate the achievements of New Canadian entrepreneurs. Ethno BC acknowledges the contributions that multicultural businesses make to the British Columbia economy by recognizing the achievements of successful entrepreneurs who were born outside of Canada, and who have been in business for at least three years in Canada.