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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The National Business League (NBL), founded in 1900 by Booker T. Washington, has launched an initiative aimed at digitizing 1 million Black-owned businesses by 2028 as part of its 125th anniversary celebration.
Dubbed “The Black Economic Freedom Movement,” the effort was announced at a press conference at the Alabama League of Municipalities, marking a major step toward advancing Black entrepreneurship through technology.
Dr. Ken L. Harris, president and CEO of the NBL, outlined a three-year strategic plan that will leverage artificial intelligence and quantum technology to modernize the economic infrastructure for Black businesses. The initiative seeks to create a digital ecosystem connecting 1 million Black-owned enterprises, enhancing their competitiveness in U.S. and global markets.
“The National Business League is leading the charge toward a new era of economic sovereignty, where Black businesses thrive through ownership, innovation, and digital transformation—not just survival,” Harris said.
The initiative comes as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs face increasing political and legal challenges. NBL leaders say the movement is focused on fostering economic independence and self-determination for Black entrepreneurs, countering systemic barriers that have historically limited access to major public and private sector contracts.
While some have compared the initiative to affirmative action and DEI programs, the NBL argues that Black businesses remain underrepresented, making up just 1% of certified minority firms. The organization contends that this disparity has excluded Black-owned businesses from more than $500 billion in contract opportunities.
A key component of the effort is the National Black Supplier Black Business Enterprise (BBE) Certification Pilot Program, which has secured $150 million in corporate contracts over the past three years. The program will be expanded to help Black businesses form partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, venture capital firms, and global trade networks.
The movement will culminate with the 125th National Black Business Conference, scheduled for Aug. 17-23, 2025, at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel, where more than 5,000 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers are expected to gather.
For 125 years, the NBL has worked to uphold Washington’s vision of economic self-reliance and collective prosperity. The organization says its commitment to digitizing 1 million Black businesses reinforces its mission to drive Black wealth creation from the Industrial Revolution to today’s digital economy.