Babson College and Center for Women's Business Research

On Wednesday, February 21, the Center for Women's Business Research and Babson College will launch Accelerating the Growth and Success of Businesses Owned by Women-of-Color, the first of four national research forums to bring together women of color entrepreneurs to identify barriers to business growth and to develop action plans to overcome them.

The first session will be held at the Courtyard Marriott in Philadelphia on February 21st from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a reception attended by participants and executives from the corporations and organizations sponsoring the initiative.

Forums scheduled to take place in 2007 following Philadelphia will be held in Atlanta, GA; San Francisco, CA; and Dallas, TX. The project will culminate with a national conference to present the results in 2008.

Women of color entrepreneurs are invited to apply to participate in this groundbreaking study.  Selection criteria include owning a business that is at least 50% women-owned with annual revenues between $250,000 and $5 million in any industry. Women of color entrepreneurs who meet the criteria and want to participate may contact the Center for Women’s Business Research, by calling 202-638-3060, ext. 710, or on-line at www.womensbusinessresearch.org/womenofcolor. 

Participants will learn from women like themselves who are focused on business growth, as well as from nationally recognized experts and highly successful women of color entrepreneurs. Participants' companies will be recognized in all research reports and publications resulting from this effort. And all participants will be invited to attend the national conference in 2008. 

Accelerating the Growth and Success of Businesses Owned by Women-of-Color is funded by corporate and association sponsors. The lead 2006 corporate sponsor is Sam’s Club/Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. They are joined by a prestigious consortium of other 2006 corporate sponsors, including UPS Capital; Wells Fargo & Company; American Airlines; Avaya; Best Buy; IBM; MasterCard; Principal Financial Group; Verizon; and Wachovia.

Leading women business owner organizations and other non-profits are also research sponsors. They are: Level Playing Field Institute; the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO); National Women’s Business Council (NWBC); Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC); and the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO). 

 “We are very pleased to participate in this research which will culminate in sharing the experiences and insight of women-of-color entrepreneurs with national policy makers,” said Babson College associate professor and lead researcher Donna Stoddard. “We expect this research to create community and national agendas to foster the success of all women-of-color entrepreneurs.”

Center for Women's Leadership at Babson
The Center for Women's Leadership (CWL) is dedicated to the advancement of women in business.  Through the Center's education and outreach activities as well as through its research, CWL enables the professional accomplishment of women and the success of organizations seeking to leverage their talent and market power.  Our extensive research and faculty team make Babson the leading authority on global women's entrepreneurship and a premiere source for the insights and educational opportunities that women need to achieve their leadership goals.

Center for Women’s Business Research 
The Center for Women’s Business Research turns research into knowledge—the most up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge about one of the most dynamic and fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy: the 10.4 million businesses owned by women.

Our research enables America’s top corporations, government policymakers, associations, and advocacy organizations to make informed, progressive decisions about programs and policies designed to reach and benefit women entrepreneurs.

The Center’s mission is to provide knowledge that propels the growth of women business owners and their enterprises by: setting the national agenda; creating insight on the status and achievements of women business owners; altering perceptions about the economic viability and progress of women-owned enterprises; and driving awareness of the economic and social impact of this vital business sector. Visit us online at www.womensbusinessresearch.org.