RESEARCH TO SUPPORT BLACK ENTREPRENEURS
For immediate release (Mississauga, ON) Jan. 19, 2020: The Afro-Caribbean Business Network (ACBN) and Sheridan’s Pilon School of Business (PSB) partner on a new research project. The research project aims to identify the needs of Black entrepreneurs and develop meaningful recommendations and resources to help build their business capacity. Black entrepreneurs have faced unprecedented barriers in the marketplace worldwide for decades. Access to funding and economic stability are some of the biggest challenges faced, which have been heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two-year research agreement will include data collection, the development of a best practices guide for Black entrepreneurs, the creation of a training curriculum and a mentoring program.
Founded in 2018, the ACBN works to unify and educate Black entrepreneurs in its network of more than 3000 businesses. We have cultivated a community for Black business owners where they can cross-promote their products and services to build their ventures and participate in relevant business and personal growth workshops.
Ryan Knight, President of ACBN says: “Our biggest challenge as a community is our invisibility in current data. Race-based data has not been historically collected therefore, the actual reality that many entrepreneurs face in the Black community is not adequately reflected.”
Nicola Harris, Community Research Lead for ACBN and PhD candidate in Organizational Leadership. says “ACBN is thrilled to partner with the Pilon School of Business at Sheridan College to produce data that will inform the creation of the support that Black entrepreneurs need to address their challenges.
Research findings and complimentary resources will support Black entrepreneurs as well as help to inform future post secondary curriculum planning for Black entrepreneurs.
For full official press release by Sheridan College please visit https://www.sheridancollege.ca/newsroom/news-releases/2021/01/Sheridan-and-Afro-Caribbean-Business-Network-partner-on-research
ACBN Media contact:
Nicola Harris
Community Research Lead
Nicola.Harris@acbncanada.com
