About the
Black Business Association

Since 1970, the Black Business Association (BBA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, headquartered in Los Angeles, has been instrumental in the incubation and development of more than 15,000 African-American businesses.  Nationally, we have access and influence with more than 85,000 African-American-owned and women/minority-owned firms via strategic alliances with more than 100 women/minority trade associations in more than 42 states nationwide.

___ Our Mission ___

The Black Business Association’s mission is to advocate and promote the development of African-American owned businesses with the goal of creating a firm economic base that support the self-determination and survival of the African-American and urban community by:

• Identifying and creating financial opportunities for the growth and stability of African-American owned businesses;
• Being a community voice that advocates for the success of small businesses;
• Being a conduit for the merging of resources, values, profits, technology and people;
• Promoting development and support of minority business enterprises within the domestic and international economies by encouraging and generating greater access to market opportunities and capital;
• Providing training for entrepreneurial professional development;
• Supporting and contributing to the economic base and progress of the African-American community; and
• Developing coalitions that support our political endeavors to effectively achieve public recognition and political influence for African-American business owners.

___ Advocacy ___

The Black Business Association maintains very effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials for the support of African-American business development.  Locally, statewide and in Washington, DC, we are constantly aware of pending legislation that might affect our member’s businesses, their growth and even their ability to conduct business.  When legislation is being considered that affects our mission, the BBA quickly mobilizes to work with key policy makers to support, defeat or modify the bill and pursue the BBA position.

As an organization, we are constantly at the helm, securing innovative means and policies that protect our constituency and their business interests.

 

The Black Business Association

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043

Tel: (323) 291-9334   Fax: (323) 291-9234 

URL: www.bbala.org            E-mail: mail@bbala.org

The BBA has in place the following programs and practices:

• An intensive outreach program to the African American Business Community
• Methods of identifying qualified firms
• Identifying and promoting business opportunities for members
• Offering hands-on assistance, training, and education for start-up businesses
• Providing management and technical assistance including bid preparation.

These forums cover marketing strategies and planning, finance, public relations, project manage, business planning skills, effective use of Management Information Systems, all channeled to assist and educate start-up and growing businesses. The BBA has proven instrumental in the incubation and development of over 15,000 minority-owned businesses.

The BBA fosters the growth and development of small businesses by providing workshops and forums to improve our members' management skills. The BBA Board of Directors hold elected positions, comprised of successful business owners that serve to make policies, achieve objectives, and advocate for small business issues. 

The Board of Directors utilizes modern management techniques, administrative and technical capabilities to meet the constant challenges that face Black Business Enterprises. The BBA is totally responsive to its membership. Our programs and day-to-day operations are overseen by a dedicated and highly qualified staff and Executive Director. The BBA represents African American and minority-owned businesses throughout the United States. 

History

In 1970, a group of entrepreneurs recognized that there was need for an organization devoted to promoting black business and its development. Recognizing the value of combined knowledge, skill, and advocacy, these individuals set a path for regular meetings in Los Angeles, CA. As the 1965 Watts Riots was still fresh in many of their experiences, they quickly realized the urgency to share resources to gain access to major contracting opportunities. Thus, a nonprofit business group was formally established in the spring of 1970, originally named the Black Businessmen Association While the name was shortly changed to reflect women business participation in the executive management of the BBA, our methods and essential focus have remained steadfast to share beneficial information for the survival and self-determination of the African-American community.

 

Black Business Association Q&A Sheet

Who Are We

In 1970 formed by a group of entrepreneurs who recognized that there was a need for an organization devoted to promoting black business and its development. Our methods and essential focus have remained steadfast to share beneficial information economically, socially, politically for the survival and self-determination of the African-American community. The Black Business Association has proven instrumental in the incubation and development of thousands of minority-owned businesses.

 

What do we Provide

Our Board of Directors utilizes modern management techniques, administrative and technical capabilities to meet the constant challenges that face Black Business Enterprise, in that of providing daily bid and purchasing opportunity announcements via the web site, resources, workshops and forums to improve our member’s management skills, marketing strategies, financial planning, public relations, project management, business planning skills, start-up business programs, mentoring, grant/scholarship education opportunities, and networking exchange summits.

 

Who are some of our Corporate Partners

American Honda

Comerica Bank

Sempra Energy

Southern California Edison

Turner Construction Company

Union Bank of California

US Bank

Verizon

 

Who are some of our members

CC-OPS

Collins Law Group

Dickerson Employee Benefits

NVA Financial Group

Patten Energy

Peoples Choice Staffing

Personal Services Plus, Inc.

Southland Partnership Corporation

Sullivan International, Inc.

 

The BBA has how many members

1000 and rising

Why should I become a Member

Join the advocacy of the development and growth of African American Business/Business Owners. You are the voice of change to ensure that all African American owned businesses/Owners receive the same opportunities as the larger corporations.