The first time Black Enterprise compiled its annual report of the nation’s largest black-owned business in 1973, the “BE Top 100” list, the combined sales for the 100 companies totaled $473 million. According to BE Research of the 2016 annual rankings—representing seven different lists—industrial/services companies grossed $24 billion in combined revenues in 2015, employed 65,443 workers, and are located in 29 states and the District of Columbia.
The Billion-Dollar Club
The first black-owned company to achieve the distinction of generating more than $1 billion in annual sales was TLC Beatrice International Holdings Inc., a food manufacturer, and distributor of leading brands including Butterball turkeys and Good Humor ice cream. It also was the first in the history of the BE 100s to crack the $2 billion glass ceiling.
Today there are five BE 100s companies (Industrial/Services and Auto Dealers) that belong to the billion-dollar club: Worldwide Technology, Act-1 Group, Bridgewater Interiors, Modular Assembly Innovations, and RML Automotive.
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