The 25 most significant events shaping Black business & professional development.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FORCE SHAPING THE ECONOMIC destiny of African Americans over the last 25 years has been the emergence of the black professional class. This group entrepreneurs, executives and political and governmental leaders represents a critical mass of black economic clout. While affirmative action, equal employment opportunity and set-aside mandates have relayed key roles in the advancement of African Americans in the workplace, it is this group, the direct beneficiaries of these policies, who will shape the future of black progress in America.

Starting in the early '70s, the window of economic opportunity opened--only a crack--for African Americans. By the mids-'90s BE had anointed the nation's largest black-owned companies, as well as the top black power brokers in corporate America, on Wall Street and in law, entertainment and sports. None of these groups of black business achievers existed 25 years ago.

Today's political and economic climate is a reminder that victories are not won without struggle, and progress is not achieved without pain. But while the momentum of black progress may ebb and flow, it has not been halted; its course remains unchanged. The countdown to the next 25 years of BLACK ENTERPRISE and black business achievement begins now.