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.
Shamim Shabani, the Knowledge Broker, plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of the research project. Her responsibilities include project management and coordination, as well as overseeing the various components of the study. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity in this study, stating, "we want to be inclusive of different genders and be inclusive of people with disabilities and people with different sexual orientations."
Dr. Gerald Grant, the Principal Investigator, sheds light on the study's inception, revealing that it was initiated in response to the requirements of the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP), a $265 million, four-year program by Innovation, Science, and Develop Canada (ISED). Dr. Grant pointed out that the decision to conduct a large-scale quantitative study was made early in the program's development, underlining “the lack of substantive information, data, and evidence on Black entrepreneurship in Canada.” He further clarified, “They also determined that they wanted three projects—a large-scale quantitative study, a large-scale qualitative study, and an ecosystem mapping program.” In his role as the Principal Investigator, Dr. Grant is tasked with the responsibility of supervising the research.
Both Shamim and Dr. Grant acknowledge the need for a substantial data-driven approach to address the gaps in understanding Black entrepreneurship in Canada. Shamim underscores that the study's purpose is to "provide solid, rigorous evidence" that can inform specific policies and interventions, emphasizing the importance of energizing and advancing Black entrepreneurship. Dr. Grant reiterates that a lack of data can lead to a lack of clarity in policymaking and advocacy, potentially dismissing the significance of Black entrepreneurship in the Canadian economy.
As of now, data collection is yet to commence, and preliminary findings will be shared once the survey phase is completed. However, the research team has used insights from previous studies to shape the survey questions, sample frame, and benchmarks. The timeline of the study began in October 2022 and has seen various milestones, including the development of research questions, refinement of the questionnaire, and extensive reviews. Currently, they are in the user-testing phase and expect to launch the survey in 2024.
The study's findings are expected to drive positive change and support Black entrepreneurs in Canada on a national scale. The lack of substantive data has hindered policy development and advocacy interventions, and this study aims to address this gap. It will help formulate Canadian-specific solutions for Black business owners and encourage further region-specific research and analysis. The study is also expected to energize and advance Black entrepreneurship in Canada by providing rigorous evidence and data that highlight the challenges and realities faced by Black entrepreneurs.
In terms of policy implications, the study findings are expected to underscore the importance of crafting policies for Black entrepreneurs, which can also benefit other equity-seeking groups. By providing insights into the state of businesses and entrepreneurial experience, the study aims to help address current service gaps and inform policymakers about areas where additional support is needed. It may also guide organizations funded by the federal government in offering enhanced support.
One of the study's unique features is its effort to recruit a nationally representative sample of Black entrepreneurs from each province and territory in Canada. This representation is essential to differentiate the results and ensure a broader national scope of Black entrepreneurship across the country.
These studies on Black entrepreneurship align with the broader goals of the BEKH to become a central hub for research on Black entrepreneurship in Canada, and this large-scale quantitative study will serve as a foundation for future research in this field.
Individuals and organizations interested in supporting or participating in this research project can keep an eye out for the study's launch in 2024 and contact the BEKH directly at research.bekh@carleton.ca, if they have any questions. They are encouraged to participate in the study and share it widely with their networks to ensure a broad and diverse representation of Black entrepreneurs in Canada. The study defines entrepreneurs broadly, including anyone above the age of 18 with a business in Canada, whether incorporated or not, and self-employed workers.