30 years of achievement: it's time to celebrate. Despite recent reports to the contrary, black business is alive and kicking. And the B.E. 100s is leading the pack--30 years and counting. (30 Years B.E. 100s).

The BE 100s companies have operated with miniscule financial and human resources when compared to their white counterparts. But they have never been short on intellectual capital. These companies, and the entrepreneurs behind them, have demonstrated unbelievable dexterity and moxie. In only three decades, they've come a long way. The first list, published in 1973, showed that the Top 100 generated sales of $473.4 million. Today, the largest black-owned company alone grossed close to $1 billion. And don't forget the millions of dollars in billings produced by our Top 20 Advertising Agencies, and the billions in assets managed by BE financial services firms.

Yes, let's celebrate. Our hearty acknowledgement doesn't mean we have ignored the fact that these businesses share the same concerns as the business mainstream--an unpredictable economy and the specter of terrorism--or those specific to minority enterprise--blocked access to capital and outright racism. Despite these challenges and, in some cases because of them, the BE 100s is here to stay.

As another generation of entrepreneurs aspires to their lofty ranks, we decided it was a good time to reflect on the past achievements and future direction of the BE 100s. Read the following pages. And marvel.

IT'S NOT EASY TO REACH THE RANKS OF THE BE 100s. In winning that race, black entrepreneurs must clear a number of hurdles--financial challenges, winner-take-all competition, and economies old and new. Just try crossing the finishing line for 30 years in a row.

That's what the six corporate chieftains we profiled in this article did. We call them our "Marathon Men"--a title bestowed upon them during our 25th anniversary of the BE 100s in 1997. These CEOs--John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing, Herman J. Russell of H.J. Russell & Co., Edward T. Lewis and Clarence O. Smith of Essence Communications, Nathan G. Conyers of Conyers Riverside Ford, and Earl G. Graves of Earl G. Graves Ltd., the parent company of this magazine--have appeared on every list we have published since 1973.

These men represent the Olympians of black business, having employed tens of thousands, achieved major milestones in commerce, and broken barriers for legions of African Americans. And at an age when most would have long since hung up their cleats, they remain in the race. As you read their stories, you'll find they are more determined than ever to take their enterprises to the next level even as they prepare to pass the torch on to the next generation.

JOHN H. JOHNSON, JOHNSON PUBLISHING CO. INC. | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

No company on the BE 100s has demonstrated more consistent performance than Johnson Publishing Co. (JPC), which is celebrating its 60th year as the world's No. 1 black-owned media conglomerate. In fact, the enterprise has always been listed among the top ten black-owned companies in the nation--grossing $23.1 million on 1973's Top 100 list and $412.4 million on this year's ranking.

John H. Johnson, the 84-year-old founder, has forged an empire that includes such indelible products as Ebony and Jet magazines, which reach a readership of more than 12 million monthly and 9 million weekly, respectively, and the Fashion Fair Cosmetics beauty care lines.

Johnson continues to stick to his solitary, methodic formula for success. "In the future, we plan to stay on the same course," he maintains. "We have been very successful with what we have. Why change? The graveyard is full of magazines that did not make it."

For much of last year, Johnson was sidelined with several medical problems that forced him to stay away from the business. Today, the octogenarian says he's "fit as a fiddle" and feels like he is 44.

In April, he appointed his daughter, Linda Johnson Rice, to the position of president and CEO (see Sidebar, "Finding the Right Prescription For Growth," this issue). Johnson, however, assumes the title of chairman and publisher.

Naming Rice to the position, says Johnson, is no indication that he will be retiring any time soon. "I will be working just as hard as I always have," says Johnson, who puts in eight to nine hours a day. "Retirement is not in this company's vocabulary. If you are well and able to work, you can stay at the company and that's what I plan to do."

HERMAN J. RUSSELL H. J. RUSSELL & CO. | ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Look at the Atlanta skyline and you'll see Herman Russell's hard work. The 71-year-old CEO can proudly point to some of the city's most impressive skyscrapers--buildings built by H.J. Russell & Co., one of the nation's most successful construction companies, black or white. His structures--ranging from high-rise condominiums and low-income housing to airports and ballparks--have touched millions of lives.

Over the past three decades, sales of the 50-year-old firm have grown from $6 million on the original BE 100 to gross sales of $240.3 million on today's list. To keep it running smoothly, he has deftly structured his firm into several divisions, including construction, engineering management, and airport concessions. In times of recession or prosperity, Russell has expanded the firm through what he calls "controlled growth" and has adhered to a standard set of principles. "My philosophy is honesty and commitment," he says. "Understand the art of saving, equip yourself for the job, and learn everything you can."

One of a handful of black-owned construction firms, H.J. Russell shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. "We have had more growth in the last five years than we've had in the history of our company," he maintains.

Although Russell, whose net worth is estimated between $40 million and $100 million, brags that he now only works 10 hours a day instead of the 15 he worked when he was younger, he does bring up retirement every now and then. His three children are all involved in the family business: H. Jerome, 38, serves as COO; Michael, 36, runs construction; and daughter, Donata Major, 42, oversees the airport concessions division. In his Southern accent, Russell quips: "One of the kids will succeed me, but I'm not ready to announce which one."

EDWARD T. LEWIS AND CLARENCE O. SMITH, ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS PARTNERS NEW YORK, NEW YORK

For 33 years, Essence has been the dominant voice for African American women. It's a remarkable achievement for a magazine that was given last rites by the industry during its first year of publication.

Today, the magazine, which reaches more than 1 million subscribers, is part of a global communications empire that includes an interactive media unit, a television awards program, and a New Orleans-based music festival that has attracted more than a million attendees since it was launched in 1995. Essence Communications Partners (ECP) has come a long way from its No. 63 ranking on the Top 100, as the Hollingsworth Group Inc., with gross sales of $2 million, to being listed among the top 30 companies on the 2002 BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with gross sales of $144.2 million.

Publisher and CEO Edward T. Lewis, 62, and President dent Clarence Smith, 67, continue to grow the successful brand. In 2000 the company entered into a historic partnership with Time Inc., the nation's largest publisher and a subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc. in New York City. Essence Communications Inc. officially became Essence Communications Partners (ECP). "Time Warner is a dominant multimedia provider. They have the internal infrastructure that we can use as a launching pad," Smith says. ECP is now poised to publish in Africa, Europe, and South America and to launch multimedia properties under the Essence brand.

Smith and Lewis are mindful of the eventual transition in management. "We have a group of capable and highly qualified people who are now in place and can run the magazine," Smith says. "We must continue to remember that our goal is to remain a `special friend' to our readers. We must deliver content that is compelling and relevant to African Americans. Essence has a very, very bright future."

NATHAN G. CONYERS, CONYERS RIVERSIDE FORD INC. | DETROIT, MICHIGAN 

Nathan G. Conyers is approaching his 70th birthday in the driver's seat. As one of the nation's first black auto dealers, he presides over Detroit's Conyers Riverside Ford, which grossed $35.2 million on the 2002 BE AUTO DEALER 100 list--a significant jump from the $7.1 million the franchise grossed on the first Top 100 list.

Now, Conyers is revving up sales through expansion. He recently opened a Jaguar dealership in Novi, Michigan, a state-of-the art franchise a half-hour drive from downtown Detroit. "We expect to do very well with the Jaguar brand," says Conyers, a lawyer and brother of U.S. Congressman John Conyers Jr. "It took us two years to get the deal done and get this place built, but now we're ready to go."

Conyers has traveled a long road since he took over Riverside in downtown Detroit 32 years ago. But he kept the doors opened and thrived through his winning formula: quality service and a sense of community. Today, the grandfather of 10 says the key to success is family.

Succession is not a problem since three of his five children are involved in the operations of the two dealerships. His eldest son, Steven, 42, who has served as Riverside's general manager, will eventually run the operation. Another son, Peter, 33, is slated to join the Jaguar dealership. One daughter, Nancy, 45, serves as customer relations manager for the new dealership. Another, Ellen, 36, is an attorney who handles legal affairs for both dealerships.

Conyers expects his children to open more dealerships in the future. He's satisfied that he accomplished a goal he set for himself more than 30 years ago. "We wanted to be a training ground for blacks to become dealers and we've done that. We have helped 36 people go into the business," he says. "Our reward has been helping other blacks gets into the business."

EARL G. GRAVES, EARL G. GRAVES LTD. | NEW YORK, NEW YORK

It helped spawn a generation of entrepreneurs. It showed a wave of black professionals how to navigate in corporate America. It introduced the value of financial markets to hordes of new investors.

For 32 years, BLACK ENTERPRISE has been the bible for black business. Earl G. Graves Sr., the driving force behind the publication, was a former administrative assistant to the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. In the process, he built a thriving enterprise of his own.

On the original BE 100s, Earl G. Graves Ltd. grossed $1.7 million, revenues generated solely by this publication. Today, the concern has sales of $55.5 million and has expanded into such arenas as interactive media, entrepreneurial and professional conferences, and private equity investing.

His agenda for the future: wealth building. As part of the magazine's 30th Anniversary, the 67-year-old CEO created The Black Wealth Initiative, a financial literacy program featuring the BE Declaration of Financial Empowerment, a document promoting 10 principles to help readers master money management. "I can think of nothing that is more important for our magazine to focus on going forward," says Graves. "By leading the charge as African Americans save and invest for themselves and their family, we can bridge the wealth gap and carve a path for future generations."

He has ample help realizing that vision. The company has always been a family affair. In the beginning, he was assisted by Barbara Graves, his wife of 42 years, who served in various positions within the organization. Today, day-to-day management is handled by his sons, Earl "Butch" Jr., 40, president and COO of BE; John, 39, the head of Black Enterprise Unlimited; and Michael, 35, who oversees business interests outside of the publishing venture. "Including my sons, we have a number of capable managers who will help us expand in the future," he says. "Our best history is in front of us."

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