Identities and intersectionalities in afro-entrepreneurship

Abstract

This article aims to contribute to the reconstruction of identity issues among the Black population concerning Black entrepreneurship, particularly in the effort to institutionalize solid production chains that enable future generations to access dignified living conditions. The text is an excerpt from a dissertation for which six interviews were conducted with Black entrepreneurs in the aesthetics industry. The two men are barbers. The four women perform different roles: one is a hairstylist, one is a makeup artist and eyebrow designer, one is a braider, and one is both an eyebrow designer and wig maker for Black women. The variety of functions chosen for the interviews aimed to encompass a broader diversity of experiences with Black aesthetics. The research was developed to understand how aspects of racism influence the economy, economic growth, and the development of Black entrepreneurs, examining the influence of ethnic, gender, and cultural factors on the differentiation of businesses compared to their competitors. This exploratory research proposes, based on the results obtained, the construction of new assumptions capable of contributing to the resolution of the challenge of sustaining and growing a business in Brazil.