Underemployed Black Women are FORCED into Entrepreneurism by Corporate America

Black women are the largest demographic of new entrepreneurs. Despite being the most underfunded privately and publicly, black women continue to start more businesses every year. Black women are also the most educated group in America. One may conclude that the most qualified candidates for any open role are likely black.

There are obvious icons in entrepreneurism; Tiffany Adiche, Issa Rae, Mahisha Dellinger, Luvvie Ajayi Jones, Tabitha Brown, etc. The list goes on. What I have found as a common thread amongst these women is their high qualifications

The discrimination is so strenuous in the hiring process that black people have begun to create deliberate spaces for black people in each industry. From Afrotech to Jopwell, Still, black women are underemployed all the same. By definition, under-employment means someone is employed in a field or a position that does not utilize their expertise, skills, or years of professional experience.

Despite arduous practices, Black women abandon the practice seeking professional validation and pursuing the path less traveled. Most small businesses do not make a profit until they are 5 years established and it is even higher for entrepreneurs. However, betting on Black seems to be the strategy to win for the most educated and ambitious group in the United States.