This research project sought to analyze the Black entrepreneurial ecosystem of Alamance County, North Carolina. An entrepreneurial ecosystem is defined as a group of entrepreneurs and the community they serve. Black entrepreneurial ecosystems are a valuable approach towards addressing systemic oppression and reducing the racial wealth gap in the United States. Given the potential value of these entrepreneurial ecosystems and the lack of research about the barriers they have encountered, I designed a three-fold conceptual framework that analyzed the barriers, strategies, and the community support experienced and desired for strong entrepreneurial ecosystems. As a researcher this project allowed me to directly connect with the population of my study as we work together to shine light on their current work and honor the history of Black Entrepreneurship in Alamance County. Additionally, this project supports the community's vision for the future with hopes to create a space for Alamance County Black entrepreneurs to share their stories, listen to each other, and cultivate ideas to further advance the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This project can be broken down into three phases, an Oral History Analysis, Focus Group and community conversation each with findings that build on each other. For example, the focus group protocol was designed to fill in gaps in the oral history analysis, dive deeper into key concepts, and explore divergent themes. The focus group revealed a shared understanding of both internal and systemic barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs in Alamance County. Findings highlight a need for stronger employee retention and more consistent relational networks to enhance entrepreneurial capacity. Findings also reveal that building and sustaining Black entrepreneurial ecosystems positively correlate with circulating the Black dollar, community service and community involvement. These key recommendations are what ultimately contributes to building a lasting legacy of Black joy and wealth.
