{"id":646,"date":"2026-02-06T18:25:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T18:25:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/?page_id=646"},"modified":"2026-09-08T19:39:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T19:39:19","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About the BIA"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"646\" class=\"elementor elementor-646\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dd423cc elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dd423cc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f0e83bb\" data-id=\"f0e83bb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f3d5cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f3d5cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align:center;margin:0 0 10px\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;background:#0A8F3C;color:#fff;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1px;padding:7px 22px;border-radius:60px;font-size:13px\">\ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf2 EST. 1981<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab_h1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab_h1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About the Little-Jamaica BIA<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f11fc4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f11fc4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align:center;font-size:17px;color:#555;margin:8px 0 0\">200+ businesses \u00b7 Eglinton Avenue West, Marlee to Dufferin \u00b7 future LRT<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-502ea39 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"502ea39\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1e309e1\" data-id=\"1e309e1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e765544 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e765544\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About the BIA<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a745d12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a745d12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Since 1981, the Little-Jamaica Business Improvement Area has represented the 200+ businesses and property owners in the commercial district along Eglinton Avenue West between Marlee Avenue and Dufferin Street. It is one of the oldest BIAs to be recognised and approved by the City of Toronto.<\/p><p>The BIA strengthens the economic health and livability of the neighbourhood through strategic investment in the public realm, cultural programming, brand awareness and advocacy on behalf of all members. We are part of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) and the Ontario Association of Business Improvement Areas (OBIAA).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-40c6810 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"40c6810\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a84ed6\" data-id=\"7a84ed6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c278194 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c278194\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Boundary<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db07b48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"db07b48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Little-Jamaica BIA serves the commercial district along Eglinton Avenue West between Marlee Avenue and Dufferin Street, and along the north side of Dufferin to Whitmore Avenue. Often called the commercial backbone of the city, it is easily reached by TTC and by Highway 401 via the Allen Expressway.<\/p><div style=\"background:#F1F5F0;border:2px solid #0A8F3C;border-radius:14px;padding:22px 26px;margin-top:6px\"><strong style=\"color:#0A8F3C;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.05em;font-size:13px\">BIA boundary<\/strong><ul style=\"margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:20px;line-height:1.9\"><li>Eglinton Avenue West (core) \u2014 Marlee Avenue to Dufferin Street<\/li><li>North side of Dufferin Street to Whitmore Avenue<\/li><li>Future Oakwood &amp; Fairbank Eglinton LRT stations<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8c7c0ee elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8c7c0ee\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eac00cb\" data-id=\"eac00cb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db27eb8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"db27eb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Membership<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8edc13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a8edc13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you are a business or commercial property owner located within the BIA boundaries, you are automatically a member of the Little-Jamaica BIA. Members receive regular print and email communication. Email <a href=\"mailto:info@littlejamaicabia.com\">info@littlejamaicabia.com<\/a> to be added to the distribution list.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab_btn elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"ab_btn\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/business-membership\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Explore membership<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-569db88 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"569db88\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-84b3ed1\" data-id=\"84b3ed1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1d773f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d1d773f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Vision &amp; Mission<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c79389f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c79389f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Vision.<\/strong> We envision a Little-Jamaica that is economically successful, welcoming and attractive \u2014 both for the local community and for visitors from elsewhere.<\/p><p><strong>Mission.<\/strong> To enable this vision, the BIA provides responsive and transparent leadership through business support, promotions and advocacy, and continues to deliver safety, maintenance and beautification initiatives.<\/p><h3 style=\"font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;color:#0B1030;margin:24px 0 8px;font-size:19px\">Our values<\/h3><ul style=\"line-height:1.9\"><li>Supportive of local businesses in the area<\/li><li>Responsive to the needs of businesses in the area<\/li><li>Collaborative with businesses, community organisations, government and the private sector<\/li><li>Inclusive of diverse ideas and opinions in decision-making<\/li><li>Innovative in considering new and out-of-the-box ideas<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-72707fc elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"72707fc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-859c88f\" data-id=\"859c88f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-939a800 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"939a800\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Board of Management<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-360aa2e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"360aa2e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"margin-bottom:4px\">The BIA is governed by a volunteer Board of Management drawn from local businesses and property owners.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab_board elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"ab_board\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>.lj-board{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(190px,1fr));gap:18px;margin-top:10px}.lj-bm{background:#fff;border:1px solid #e6e8f2;border-radius:16px;padding:24px 14px;text-align:center;display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;transition:box-shadow .2s}.lj-bm:hover{box-shadow:0 12px 28px rgba(11,16,48,.10)}.lj-bm .av{width:88px;height:88px;border-radius:50%;background:#0A8F3C;color:#fff;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;font-size:26px;margin-bottom:14px;overflow:hidden}.lj-bm .av.ph{background-size:cover;background-position:center top;background-repeat:no-repeat}.lj-bm .nm{font-weight:600;color:#0B1030;font-size:14px;font-family:Poppins,sans-serif;line-height:1.35}.lj-bm .rl{color:#0A8F3C;font-size:11px;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.06em;margin-top:6px}<\/style><div class=\"lj-board\"><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av ph\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jason-McDonald-300x300.png)\"><\/span><span class=\"nm\">Jason McDonald<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Board Chair<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av\">NA<\/span><span class=\"nm\">Nick Alampi<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Vice Chair<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av ph\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Gennetho-Gordan-300x300.png)\"><\/span><span class=\"nm\">Gennetho Gordan<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Chairman<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av ph\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Diana-Lalor-300x300.png)\"><\/span><span class=\"nm\">Diana Lalor<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Treasurer<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av\">JJ<\/span><span class=\"nm\">Jada Jackto<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Secretary<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av\">CT<\/span><span class=\"nm\">Claude Thompson<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av\">HK<\/span><span class=\"nm\">Haris Kayani<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av ph\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Joe-Borelli-300x300.png)\"><\/span><span class=\"nm\">Joe Borelli<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av ph\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marjorie-Renwick-300x300.png)\"><\/span><span class=\"nm\">Marjorie Renwick<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av\">MJ<\/span><span class=\"nm\">Martin Jeffery<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av\">MM<\/span><span class=\"nm\">Masani Montague<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av ph\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Michael-Ramirez-300x300.png)\"><\/span><span class=\"nm\">Michael Ramirez<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av ph\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Roland-Beggs-300x300.png)\"><\/span><span class=\"nm\">Roland Beggs<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av\">SL<\/span><span class=\"nm\">Sophia Lindsay<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av ph\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Syed-Fahad-Munawwer-300x300.png)\"><\/span><span class=\"nm\">Syed Fahad Munawwer<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><div class=\"lj-bm\"><span class=\"av ph\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Yvette-Spencer-300x300.png)\"><\/span><span class=\"nm\">Yvette Spencer<\/span><span class=\"rl\">Director<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":618,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_thinkrank_schema_form_data":"","_thinkrank_selected_schema_type":"","_thinkrank_additional_schemas":"","_thinkrank_canonical_url":"","_thinkrank_og_title":"","_thinkrank_og_description":"","_thinkrank_og_image":"","_thinkrank_twitter_title":"","_thinkrank_twitter_description":"","_thinkrank_twitter_image":"","_thinkrank_imported_from":"","_thinkrank_focus_keywords":[],"_thinkrank_focus_keyword":"","_thinkrank_robots_meta_enabled":0,"_thinkrank_robots_meta":"","_thinkrank_advanced_robots_meta":"","_thinkrank_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-646","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=646"}],"version-history":[{"count":306,"href":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/646\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3415,"href":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/646\/revisions\/3415"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev016.changeprohosting.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}