Date of Conferral
9-3-2026
Date of Award
September 2026
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Management
Advisor
Annie Brown
Abstract
Black American female business owners remain underrepresented in government contracting despite the availability of federal, state, and local procurement opportunities. Some Black American female business owners lack effective strategies to secure government contracts, which may limit business growth and profitability. Grounded in innovation and entrepreneurship theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore the strategies Black American female entrepreneurs use to secure government contracts. The participants were six Black American female entrepreneurs who had successfully secured government contracts and possessed experience navigating government procurement processes. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and organizational documents. Through thematic analysis, five themes were identified: (a) overcoming barriers to contract accessibility and navigation, (b) establishing contract acquisition and relationship management, (c) overcoming business development challenges and strategies, (d) mitigating approaches and persistent challenges, and (e) navigating government funding opportunities. A key recommendation is for Black American female business owners to utilize strategic networking, certification programs, continuous learning, and adaptive business practices to enhance their competitiveness in government contracting. The implications for positive social change include informing policymakers, procurement agencies, and supporting organizations on how to improve access, equity, and participation in government contracting for underrepresented groups.
Recommended Citation
Brittian, Darrilyn Marie, "Strategies That Black American Female Business Owners Use to Secure Government Contracts" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20797.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20797
