Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Launches Historic Survey for Black Entrepreneurs

The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) is celebrating Black History Month by making history with the launch of a nationwide survey on Black entrepreneurship in Canada.

“This study is designed to develop a better understanding of the profiles of Black entrepreneurs and their businesses,” said Gerald Grant, BEKH co-lead and principal investigator. “This will help close the data and information gap that now exists and provide more substantive bases for strategy and policy development.”

Black entrepreneurs who are over 18 and have a business in Canada are invited to complete the 20-minute survey, which is available in English and French. The survey aims to identify critical gaps where Black entrepreneurs in Canada face the greatest challenges and opportunities.

More than 100 Black stakeholders across Canada were consulted throughout the development of the survey. These included Black entrepreneurs, Black-led organizations serving entrepreneurs, academic and community researchers. Additionally, the BEKH collaborated with and received valuable advice from other industry partners, including BDO, Export Development Canada and Statistics Canada, as well as other community partners. With this input, the survey has been designed to capture the broad range of experiences and needs of Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses.  

Led by Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business and Dream Legacy Foundation, the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub is one of three pillars in the Government of Canada’s Black Entrepreneurship Program. BEKH is conducting three flagship studies: The National Quantitative Study, the National Qualitative Study and the Ecosystem Mapping Project. BEKH consists of six regional hubs across the country to facilitate a collaborative, co-generated and high-quality knowledge and data platform that accurately reflects the state Black entrepreneurship in Canada.  

Learn more about BEKH’s National Quantitative Survey and take the survey.

*For the purposes of this survey, Black entrepreneurs includes those who are primary or partial owners of enterprises, whether incorporated or unincorporated. It also includes any Black person earning a living independent of an employer through a range of economic activities, such as freelancing, consulting, influencer and content creation work.