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Description

Mentorship plays a crucial role in entrepreneurial success, yet Black entrepreneurs often face a significant mentorship gap that limits business growth. Existing mentorship programs within entrepreneurial ecosystems have shown mixed effectiveness, highlighting the need for culturally relevant models tailored to the Black community. This study explores how Black mentorship programs can bridge systemic barriers in business development, financial literacy, and network access. Using qualitative research, we analyzed ten articles, selecting seven for open coding. Some key categories included “knowledge and network contacts,” “development opportunities,” and “representation of professionals of color.” Axial coding further identified essential themes like “network building for resource access” and integrating both practical and academic entrepreneurship knowledge. Findings suggest that effective Black entrepreneurship ecosystems should provide resource access, mentorship from professionals of color, and a balance of academic and hands-on learning. Incorporating technology can also expand mentorship opportunities to reach geographically distant entrepreneurs. This research underscores the importance of mentorship in overcoming systemic barriers. By fostering organic, culturally attuned programs, Black entrepreneurs can access the resources, knowledge, and networks necessary for business sustainability. Future research should assess these models' real-world impact and explore broader implementation strategies.

Publication Date

4-1-2025

Keywords

Black entrepreneurship, mentorship, entrepreneurial ecosystems, culturally relevant mentorship, business development, financial literacy, network access, qualitative research, professional representation, resource access, academic entrepreneurship, practical entrepreneurship, systemic barriers, technology in mentorship, entrepreneurship education, minority business support, inclusive mentorship programs

Scaling Black Entrepreneurship: The Missing Link of Mentorship

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