Successful Black Entrepreneurs Hidden Histories, Inspirational Stories, and Extraordinary Business Achievements

Learn about the successes of Black entrepreneurs through a collection of unique case studies  

Successful Black Entrepreneurs is an insightful collection of Harvard Business School case studies about Black entrepreneurs succeeding in a variety of industries and through different routes, including start-ups, franchising, and acquisitions. The book also recognizes and celebrates Black entrepreneurial excellence, as it takes the reader through the stages of entrepreneurship, including ideation, raising capital, growing the company, and taking it public. In addition to identifying the positive aspects of Black entrepreneurship, the book also uses data, research, and anecdotes to highlight the challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs, including: 

• An inability to access capital from traditional financial institutions like banks and private equity firms 
• The requirement to practice “racial concealment” in the company of White customers in order to achieve success 

Perfect for students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and established business leaders, Successful Black Entrepreneurs provides practical perspectives from Black entrepreneurs about what it takes to succeed in business.  

STEVEN S. ROGERS retired from Harvard Business School in 2019 where he was the “MBA Class of 1957 Senior Lecturer” in General Management. He taught Entrepreneurial Finance and his own course, “Black Business Leaders and Entrepreneurship.” He is the author of A Letter to My White Friends and Colleagues.

Preface vii

Introduction xi

Chapter 1 History of Black Entrepreneurship 1

Chapter 2 Importance of Black Entrepreneurs 37

Chapter 3 Black Start-Up Entrepreneurs 43

Chapter 4 Entrepreneurship Through Acquisitions 75

Chapter 5 Entrepreneurship Through Franchising 125

Chapter 6 Access to Capital for Black Entrepreneurs 157

Chapter 7 Black Turnaround Entrepreneurs 203

Chapter 8 Entrepreneurial Exits: Selling the Company 235

Chapter 9 Black Intrapreneurs 285

Epilogue 311

Appendix 313

Acknowledgments 317

About the Author 321

Index 323

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