AMERICA’S LARGEST BLACK-OWNED COMPANIES: A 40-YEAR LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

This longitudinal analysis of the largest black-owned businesses in the United States covers the period from 1974 through 2014, a time-span of forty years, and is a follow-up to an earlier inquiry published ten years ago in the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship. This current study focuses on similarities and differences from the earlier analysis. This investigation probes the overall evolution of these companies, as well as various trends, patterns and other characteristics within the general data of both growth and decline; and provides data, information, analysis and resultant conclusions and implications, which should be both of interest and of value to: (a) black and other minority active and aspiring businesspeople, (b) researchers in the area of minority business, (c) consultants and advisors to such businesses and (d) those involved in related business development policy.