Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2021

Degree Type

Capstone - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Education

Instructor/Advisor

Audrey Falk

Second Advisor

Sean McCarthy

Abstract

Black Women Entrepreneurs: Understanding the Challenges and Proposing Policy for Equitable Change examines the obstacles that Black women entrepreneurs face that make building successful businesses challenging. When it comes to businesses in the United States, Black women fall behind compared to their white counterparts and the impact of this transcends their communities. The most paramount consequence of the absence of successful Black women entrepreneurs is advocacy in decision making that ultimately impacts Black communities and the country at large. Black women endure systematic oppression that is directly linked to a long history of racial and gender inequality that affects their entrepreneurial experience. Particular challenges related to strong business relationships, access to funding and opportunities have prevented Black women entrepreneurs from success. When Black women entrepreneurs do not succeed, our economy and society suffer because they represent a great percentage of entrepreneurs who are not able to reach their fullest potential. Change is needed on a systemic level to address the inequalities that Black women entrepreneur’s experience. In this paper, I propose a local-wide policy using the city of Boston as the basis to introduce how communities can make an impact by investing in the success of Black women entrepreneurs.

Download

Share

COinS