Shaquille O'Neal

The National Negro Business League (August 23 & 24, 1900) was founded by Booker T. Washington in Boston. The league, which predated the US Chamber of Commerce by 12 years, strives to enhance the commercial and economic prosperity of the African American community. The NNBL was incorporated in 1901 in New York and established hundreds of chapters across the US. In 1966, the National Negro Business League was reincorporated in DC and renamed the National Business League. Booker T. Washington believed that solutions to the problem of racial discrimination were primarily economic and that African American entrepreneurship was vital. He founded the league to further the economic development of African American businesses to achieve social equality in American society. Members in the league included small business owners, farmers, doctors, lawyers, craftsmen, and other professionals. The league maintained directories for all major US cities and incorporated African American contacts in numerous businesses. Oftentimes, white business leaders addressed the National Business League at their annual conventions. Booker T. Washington himself kept contact with members of the white corporate elite, such as Andrew Carnegie and Julius Rosenwald, president of Sears, Roebuck, and Co. The league established the Booker T. Washington Foundation in 1967 as a public, non-profit operating foundation to serve as the research and development arm of the organization. It established the National Student Business League in 1974 as its collegiate division. Although the influence of the league declined since its peak in the early half of the 20th century, the organization still exists today and is headquartered in Atlanta with a second “federal” office in DC. The National Business League continues to promote economic enterprise and financial literacy for African Americans throughout the US and international trade with Africa and the African Diaspora. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

77

4 Comments

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank's foundation is making a $50 million donation to four HBCUs in the Atlanta area today - Spelman, Morehouse, Morris Brown & Clark Atlanta. These "gap scholarships" will help nearly 10,000 students who are on track to graduate but face financial barriers. This isn't Blank's first rodeo when it comes to supporting HBCUs. He's previously donated $10 million to Spelman for an innovation lab and $6 million to improve athletic facilities at multiple HBCUs across the region. Atlanta's HBCUs generate over $1 billion in annual economic impact, and research shows they outperform other institutions in lifting students from lower-income households into higher income brackets. #LinkedInSports #SportsBiz #Atlanta #HBCU

81

5 Comments

Music executives Mel Carter and Kevin "Coach K" Lee have made history by acquiring 32 Bojangles franchises across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. This achievement positions their company, Melanbo, as the largest Black-controlled franchisee in Bojangles' history. Their expansion plan includes developing 14 new locations in Atlanta, reflecting their commitment to entrepreneurial excellence.

445

27 Comments

Alicia Keys Launches $1 Billion Fund for Black-Owned Businesses. Singer Alicia Keys is using her platform to help further racial equality. She has launched a new $1 billion endowment fund aimed at supporting Black businesses and communities. #America #Africa #World

1,620

96 Comments

HBCUs are leading the growth of women’s flag football, backed by support from the NFL and NAIA, with Alabama State becoming the first Division I school to launch a program and award a scholarship to rising star Ki’Lolo Westerlund. Westerlund, who appeared in an NFL Super Bowl commercial, hopes to represent the U.S. in the 2028 Olympics, symbolizing the sport’s expanding visibility and impact. Meanwhile, HBCUs like Winston-Salem State and Virginia Union are building competitive programs and hosting inaugural tournaments, marking a new era for women’s flag football at the collegiate level. #sports #hbcu #blacklinkedin

97

2 Comments

Nicholas Perkins, an alumnus of both Howard University and Fayetteville State University, has made history by acquiring the entire Fuddruckers brand and all 92 of its restaurants spread across four countries. Through his company, Black Titan Franchise Systems LLC, Perkins completed the $18.5 million purchase, becoming the first African American to wholly own a national burger franchise brand. His entrepreneurial journey is deeply rooted in his education and passion. Back in 2004, he founded Perkins Management Services, a food service management company that grew steadily under his leadership. His love for cooking, instilled by his family, combined with his business acumen developed at Howard, set the foundation for this historic step. Perkins sees this acquisition as not only a business venture but also a chance to create jobs, opportunities for franchisees, and community impact, while reviving the iconic Fuddruckers name in the competitive restaurant market.

3,166

245 Comments

29-Year-Old Black Entrepreneur Wants to Buy Spirit Airlines to Make it America’s First Black-Owned Commercial Airline 29-year-old entrepreneur Hashim Walters from New Orleans, Louisiana, has officially launched The Latimer Group, an ownership consortium focused on acquiring Spirit Airlines, an iconic brand facing critical financial distress. He says that his mission is to empower African American economic leaders, creating the only Black-owned commercial airline in the United States.

358