Research Papers

Written By Raphael Udubra
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Innovative Research is Digging Deeper into the Gaps in Support for Black Entrepreneurs
Innovative Research is Digging Deeper into the Gaps in Support for Black Entrepreneurs

What isn’t working for Black entrepreneurs? That’s the question Dr. Felix Zogning and his team are on a mission to understand through a unique research project currently underway. The Sherbrooke University professor says about 17% of cultural communities in Canada show entrepreneurial intentions or engagement, compared to 14% for the Canadian average. However, there is a gap somewhere in between. 

An Investigation into Government Policies and Programs on Black Entrepreneurship in Canada
An Investigation into Government Policies and Programs on Black Entrepreneurship in Canada

This article is a synopsis of an ongoing investigation into Government policies and programs on Black Entrepreneurship in Canada. The project is being led by Dr. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, Assistant Professor Institute of African Studies at Carleton University. He was previously an Associate Professor at the Thabo Mbeki Africa School of Public and International Affairs, University of South Africa.

Creating Space for Conversation about Black Entrepreneurs and Mental Health
Creating Space for Conversation about Black Entrepreneurs and Mental Health

What are the main mental health challenges Black entrepreneurs face? That’s the question Dr. Lisa Ndejuru, an affiliate professor at the Quebec Regional Hub of the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (Q-BEKH) at Concordia University, set out to answer. As the body of research around the experience of Black entrepreneurs in Canada continues to grow, this is just one of the many areas still shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. Along with her research partner Marie-Jolie Rwigema, a fellow assistant professor at Concordia University, she’s on a mission to shed light on this topic.

Tapping into Untapped Talent 
Tapping into Untapped Talent 

This month, we delved into a conversation with Liza Arnason, the founder of the Ase Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities, a non-profit dedicated to dismantling structural and societal inequities that perpetuate stigma against Black people with disabilities.  Liza’s experiences as a business owner unfolds at the junction of a range of roles- a black woman, a grandmother, a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a self-proclaimed "disruptor." Setting her sights on disrupting the status quo of systems and structures that have traditionally excluded those who do not fit into one-size-fits-all solutions, Liza is challenging the traditional Western view of entrepreneurship and insisting that all forms of talent in the Black community have the support and opportunities needed for them to grow and thrive.

The Ecosystem Mapping Approach
The Ecosystem Mapping Approach

The National Lead Hub of the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) has initiated a study to map the Black entrepreneurial ecosystem across Canada. Led by Dr. Peter Pulsifer, an associate professor and the Associate Director of the Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre (GCRC) at Carleton University, the goal of this mapping project is to create a clear picture of the network of organizations, individuals, and resources that collectively support Black entrepreneurship in the country.

A National Quantitative Study
A National Quantitative Study

The National Quantitative Study on Black Entrepreneurs in Canada is a significant research initiative led by the National Lead Hub of the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH). The study seeks to gain insights into the experiences of Black entrepreneurs, their businesses, and the opportunities and challenges they face. It's a large-scale quantitative study that involves a 20-minute survey covering various aspects of Black entrepreneurship in Canada. The primary objective is to create a detailed profile and portrait of Black entrepreneurship across Canada, ensuring representation from all provinces and territories, and capturing the diversity within the community.

A Deep Dive into the Qualitative Persona-Based Study
A Deep Dive into the Qualitative Persona-Based Study

The Central Regional Hub of the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) is embarking on a large scale-qualitative study, aiming to shed light on the experiences of Black entrepreneurs in Canada. The primary objective of this study is to provide a more nuanced understanding of the Black entrepreneurship community by employing evidence-based personas as a methodology. The insights gained from these personas have the potential to shape public policy by offering a more complete picture of who Black entrepreneurs are

Charting Pathways to Progress
Charting Pathways to Progress

It is for this reason, the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) was established.  With the mandate of collecting data on the state of Black entrepreneurship in Canada and helping to better understand the lived experiences of Black entrepreneurs, the team of researchers at our Central Regional Hub at University of Alberta embarked on the mission to review the existing research on the subject. Co-led by Dr Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika and Dr Shirley Anne Tate, with the assistance of Oluwagbemiga Oyinlola and Prateeksha Pathak, doctoral candidates at McGill University and York University respectively, the Central Regional team attempted to conduct a scoping review of the research on Black entrepreneurship in Canada. Yet, who would have thought that one of the very first challenges would be a lack of research to complete the scoping review? 

Raphael Udubra
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