Bridging the Gap Between Entrepreneurial Education and Practice for BIPOC and First-Gen Students

Abstract

This study explores the development of self-efficacy and social capital in a unique entrepreneurial education setting: the first Fellowship cohort run by the Los Angeles Economic Equity Accelerator and Fellowship (LEEAF), an economic equity initiative headquartered at a local university. The Fellowship program trained matched cohorts of BIPOC women entrepreneurs (leaders) and BIPOC/First-Generation students (fellows). LEEAF provided both cohorts with resources encompassing technical skill development, business model refinement, organizational capacity building, social capital development, and fundraising. Acting as interns for their assigned leaders, Fellows engaged in a reciprocal learning experience that attempted to ground self-efficacy and social capital development in a sense of shared community mission. Results from post-program surveys and focus groups indicate significant positive shifts in social capital, self-efficacy, and mental wellness practices among the Fellows, illustrating the program’s meaningful contribution to the holistic development of this diverse student community. The study underscores the vital role of Minority-Serving Institutions, specifically in promoting upward mobility and empowerment for underrepresented students.