Miller Center Fellowship
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2023
Abstract
Within Baltimore, there has been a history of economic disparity, where communities including black, BIPOC, and women led small businesses are historically disenfranchised. Our community partner, Innovation Works, addresses this issue by providing tools and instruments that begin to challenge the systemic racial wealth divide in Baltimore, Maryland. We analyzed ways to enhance the experience for future participants of the Investor Showcase (an Innovation Works hosted event for social entrepreneurs to pitch their business in front of investors). Through surveys, in depth interviews, and a focus group, we assembled a multimethod primary data set. Our respondent pool was comprised of social entrepreneurs (small business leaders looking to solve community based issues), mentors, and investors within Innovation Works’ network. We used a multimethod approach to produce quantitative and qualitative analysis, in which our results indicate that Innovation Works provides necessary skills and resources for local organizations to grow their programs, benefiting marginalized groups. In addition to identifying successful program elements, we also analyzed strategies to improve future resource allocation, participant preparation for external funding, and growth in community networks. Our findings provide Innovation Works with a series of recommendations speaking to continuing current practices and strategies to enhance skill building, specifically developed to aid social entrepreneurs who lack opportunities to develop their business, therefore indirectly addressing the racial wealth gap.
Recommended Citation
Ebisuya, Chelsea and Roy, Lady Elizabeth, "Addressing the Racial Wealth Divide Through Community-Led Social Change with Innovation Works" (2023). Miller Center Fellowship. 169.
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/gsbf/169