Date of Graduation

12-2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning (EdD)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders

Advisor/Mentor

Miller, Michael T.

Committee Member

Kacirek, Kit

Second Committee Member

Grover, Kenda S.

Keywords

Black Women; Healthcare; Informal Education; Mississippi; Narrative Inquiry; Small Business

Abstract

Small businesses are critical to the economic success of the United States, and several states, such as Mississippi, have a strong reliance on small business development. Through small, individually owned businesses, the overall economy is enhanced, and the quality of life for many is improved. A growing trend within the small business community is private ownership by Black women. This population segment has dramatically grown in their presence within business ownership, and it is necessary to describe elements of their success. The proposed research focuses on informal education as an enabler of this small business success. Informal education is a component of the larger field of adult education and will be the focus of qualitative interviews with Black women business owners in healthcare. Using a narrative inquiry design, the research can inform entrepreneurship support organizations, business owners, and policymakers about how resources and policies that positively impact small business ownership are learned.

Download

Share

COinS