Market Women: Black Women Entrepreneurs: Past, Present, and Future »

CHERYL A. SMITH is Associate Professor in the Adult Baccalaureate College of Lesley University and a member of the university's Academic Technology and Center for Academic Technology's Grants and Advisory committees. In addition, she is a member of the Advanced Graduate Council, which oversees the doctoral program in Educational Studies. With over 30 years of experience in academia, entrepreneurship, and community development she serves as a consultant to community-based, nonprofit, and religious groups and on the editorial board of Lesley's online peer-reviewed journal, Pedagogy, Pluralism and Practice.

Smith (Lesley U.) presents a history of black women entrepreneurs, from Africa's traditional "market women" to today's American CEOs. Drawing upon interviews with 19 contemporary entrepreneurs (in ventures as diverse as catering, bookselling, and manufacturing), Smith reveals a community-minded approach to business that is based on personal relationships. She also shows how the pooling of resources, strong family bonds, and a sense of humor have helped these women to succeed against the odds. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR