A Report of Promising Ideas from three U.S. Cities
Objective
A research team led by Duke University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation spoke with community leaders across three unique cities to identify strategies to build inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems for Black entrepreneurs. By focusing on Black entrepreneurs, who have often faced ongoing barriers to business ownership and wealth generation, our report identifies activities that create an equitable playing field for all dreamers, makers, and doers.
Impact
An inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem connects people, programs, institutions, and policies to provide equitable access to the tools and resources entrepreneurs need to successfully create, build, and scale new businesses. Our hope with this research is to inspire and encourage cities across the nation to consider and implement strategies that create equitable outcomes for all entrepreneurs.
A Report of Promising Ideas from three U.S. Cities
Our Research Approach
To identify opportunities to build inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems our team:
- Conducted an environmental scan of three cities: Atlanta, Durham, and Detroit
- Gathered insights from over 30 policy makers, entrepreneurs, foundations, investors, and entrepreneurship support organizations
- Compiled case analysis findings that measured the inclusiveness of entrepreneurship ecosystems based on the Forward Cities E3 Scorecard
Each city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem was assessed through the lens of Black entrepreneurship using the Forward Cities E3 Scorecard.
Guiding Questions
- How can cities create inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems for Black entrepreneurs that provide a foundation for equity?
- How can cities at various development stages design policies and programs that create more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems?
- What are the unique opportunities and challenges that stakeholders should consider while increasing equity in their entrepreneurship ecosystems?
8 Key Insights to Design Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
The following key insights from research help create and maintain inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems. Learn more about each insight below.
Learn from the City Storytellers
Hear from the leaders creating equitable opportunities for entrepreneurs in Atlanta, Detroit, and Durham.
Actions to Create Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
Learning from the Duke-Led Research
Hope for the Future
City Snapshots
Atlanta, Durham, and Detroit each have a distinct history of Black entrepreneurship that provides insights into common challenges and opportunities for action to improve outcomes for Black entrepreneurs today. Each city offers a lens into how we can better address existing systemic barriers and cultivate inclusive ecosystems for entrepreneurship to more fully flourish.
Atlanta
Atlanta
A growing Black tech hub with influential Black city leaders, increasing tech investments, and a large corporate headquarter presence.
City Facts
- City Population: 507,000
- Black % of Population: 51%
- Atlanta has elected consecutive Black mayors for four decades
Key Insights
- Atlanta’s large corporate presence increases customer, investment, and partnership opportunities for Black entrepreneurs
- Local initiatives, led by successful Black entrepreneurs who want to give back to their communities, address challenges faced by underrepresented entrepreneurs
- Black civic, corporate, and community leaders advocate for diverse representation and the prioritization of needs for Black entrepreneurs
Featured Programs and Initiatives
Durham
Durham
Emerging ecosystem with fast-growing population, diverse businesses, academic institutions, and expanding private-/public-sector investment
City Facts
- City Population: 279,000
- Black % of Population: 39%
- Durham’s Black Wall Street was the epicenter of Black businesses, including the oldest NC Black bank and US Black life insurance company
Key Insights
- Durham influencers and organizations are creating networks focused on learning and communal support for Black entrepreneurs across a range of industries
- Investments in early business stages help increase entrepreneurship growth rates and intentional inclusiveness for Black entrepreneurs
- As Durham’s business ecosystem grows, the city will rely less on individual champions and more on the sustainable structures and organizations they’ve created
Featured Programs and Initiatives
Detroit
Detroit
Evolving ecosystem with majority Black population, transitioning industries, emerging startup scene, community-focused partnerships, and resilient business ownership
City Facts
- City Population: 670,000
- Black % of Population: 78%
- Detroit is the largest Black majority city in the US
Key Insights
- Detroit’s Black population increasingly relies on entrepreneurship and innovation to create opportunities as economic trends and industries shift.
- There is an increased Detroit need to ensure Black entrepreneurs are included and supported in revitalization efforts.
- A community-driven culture has benefitted Detroit entrepreneurs and contributed to collective growth and partnerships across the ecosystem.
Featured Programs and Initiatives
Learn More from Other Efforts
Explore other research, practice, and initiatives striving to build inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Meet the Team
Duke Fuqua’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Meet the team collaborating with RTI International to create solutions that will inspire stakeholders to decrease barriers to entrepreneurship.
Ariel Powell
Ariel Powell
Ariel Powell is a strategy consultant in Atlanta, GA and a co-author of the Duke and RTI Building Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem research report. She received her MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and undergraduate degree from Howard University. At Fuqua, Ariel served as a Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fellow, Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce Associate Board Member, and President of Duke’s Black Graduate and Professional Student Association. She is hopeful that strategic research, action, and investments will improve entrepreneurial action and economic for underserved communities.
Jamie Jones
Jamie Jones
Jamie Jones is an Associate Professor of the Practice of Management at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, the Executive Director of the Fuqua Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), and a co-author of the Duke and RTI Building Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem research report. She received her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee. Jamie is the co-founder of Impact Engine, an investment firm dedicated to bringing more capital to a market where financial returns are linked to positive social and environmental impacts. Jamie also serves as Managing Partner at Flywheel Innovation, a consultancy that supports corporation seeking to grow through innovation. Jamie believes everyone has entrepreneurial potential but not everyone has equal opportunity to unleash that potential, and she is committed to helping break down barriers to taking entrepreneurial action.
Kirk Wilson
Kirk Wilson
Kirk Wilson is an HR professional in Seattle, WA and a co-author of the Duke and RTI Building Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem research report. He received his MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and undergraduate degree from The George Washington University. At Fuqua, Kirk served as a Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship Fellow, SEEDS NC Associate Board Member, and Co-President of Fuqua's Net Impact and Food & Agriculture clubs. He is committed to advancing equitable policies that recognize and uplift under-resourced communities.