THERE is little official evidence to go by, but the anecdotes are pouring in: across the country, more young black professionals are stepping off the corporate ladder to become entrepreneurs. Joining a big company used to be perceived as the surest route to material success by many black professionals, but lately, owning a business has become as attractive, or more so.

… The new entrepreneurs are "willing to take risks that 10 years ago, 20 years ago, African-Americans were not willing to take," she said. "It's an absolute change in attitude, and not having to feel that the corporate structure is the only way - or the safe way."