misibor@yorku.ca
www.uniben.edu
Dr. Mary Isibor is an African historian, interdisciplinary scholar, and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas, York University. With over a decade of teaching, research, and mentorship experience at the University of Benin, Nigeria, her work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary issues shaping Africa, its diasporas, and global Black communities.
Her research lies at the intersection of African history, diaspora studies, gender studies, development studies, entrepreneurship, migration, and cultural production. Through interdisciplinary and community-engaged scholarship, she examines how historical processes, social structures, and transnational networks influence identity, mobility, economic participation, and development within African and diasporic communities.
Prior to joining York University, Dr. Isibor served as a Lecturer in the Department of History and International Studies at the University of Benin, where she taught courses in African history, gender, development, migration, and international studies while mentoring emerging scholars and contributing to academic and public debates on Africa’s past, present, and future.
At York University, her postdoctoral research investigates the resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial strategies of Black immigrant women in Canada. Her work explores how Black women navigate barriers related to access to capital, mentorship, professional networks, and business growth while creating pathways for economic mobility, community development, and transnational engagement. By centering the experiences of Black women entrepreneurs, her research contributes to broader conversations on equity, inclusion, migration, and economic empowerment.
Committed to translating research into action, Dr. Isibor’s scholarship extends beyond traditional academic outputs to generate meaningful community impact. Drawing on insights from her research, she founded the Black Women’s Enterprise Exchange (BWEE), an innovative research-impact initiative of the Harriet Tubman Institute. BWEE serves as a platform that connects entrepreneurs, scholars, policymakers, practitioners, community leaders, and ecosystem builders to address barriers to business growth, foster mentorship and collaboration, and advance opportunities for Black women entrepreneurs across Canada, Africa, and the global diaspora.
Dr. Isibor’s broader research agenda explores African and diasporic histories, migration, entrepreneurship, digital economies, gendered labour, art and culture, and the ways Black communities create resilience, belonging, and opportunity across borders. Her scholarship has been presented at national and international conferences and contributes to academic, policy, and community conversations on social justice, economic inclusion, development, and Black diasporic futures.
Through her research, teaching, mentorship, and public engagement, Dr. Isibor is dedicated to producing scholarship that not only advances knowledge but also drives social change, strengthens communities, and creates pathways for sustainable and inclusive development.
Keywords: gender, entrepreneurship, migration, diaspora, resilience, African and Black women