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TUSKEGEE, Ala., Jan. 23, 2025 ~ In a historic move, the National Business League (NBL)® has secured a USPTO Federal Trademark for the Black Business Enterprise (BBE)® Certification and Scorecard Program. This groundbreaking initiative, registered under the numbers 98127825 and 98130839, aims to reclaim the vision of self-reliance and economic sovereignty put forth by Booker T. Washington more than six decades ago with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

According to Dr. Ken L. Harris, President and CEO of the NBL, "The time for waiting and pleading is over." He asserts that despite efforts towards integration and diversity, Black communities continue to face systemic inequities in economic opportunities. The BBE Certification is seen as an "economic emancipation proclamation" for Black entrepreneurs in the 21st century.

The NBL's decision to trademark the BBE Certification comes after years of failed promises and performative gestures towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Legal setbacks such as the 2023 Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and UNC decision have dismantled race-based affirmative action, rendering DEI strategies ineffective. Additionally, corporations have pledged over $200 billion for racial equity since 2020 but have produced minimal results for Black businesses. This has led to a shrinking of DEI efforts by political and corporate entities, as well as Black gatekeepers who have retreated into performative actions instead of making real progress.

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The BBE movement aims to reject labels such as "minority," "marginalized," "people of color," and "disadvantaged," which perpetuate dependency on systems that exclude and diminish Black communities. Instead, it embraces ownership, power, and autonomy.

The BBE Certification offers a solution to address the lack of economic power held by Black businesses. Currently representing only 1% of certified minority firms, these businesses are excluded from over $500 billion in public and private sector contracts. The BBE Certification requires businesses to have at least 51% Black ownership, prioritizing equity for Black entrepreneurs and recognizing the $1.5 trillion in annual Black consumer spending power. It also includes a digital scorecard to hold corporations and government entities accountable for equitable spending with Black businesses.

The success of the BBE Certification has already been proven through the National Black Supplier Development Program, which has generated $150 million in contracts with major corporations such as Comerica Bank, Cummins, DTE Energy, Ford, GM, Lear, Magna, Stellantis, and Toyota.

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The national launch of the BBE Certification will take place at the 125th Quasquicentennial National Black Business Conference in Atlanta from August 20-23, 2025. This event will coincide with the Black Economic Freedom Movement's Digitize 1 Million Black Businesses by 2028 Campaign.

Dr. Harris challenges the status quo by stating, "We will no longer beg for seats at tables where Black enterprise is undervalued." He emphasizes that the BBE movement is about building their own tables anchored in ownership and self-reliance and working only with those who genuinely support Black economic freedom. With this trademark secured, the NBL is taking a bold step towards revolutionizing economic freedom for Black entrepreneurs and communities.
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