The world before Black Enterprise.

Imagine a world where there is no job in corporate America for an African American with an M.B.A. that does not involve a mop and a bucket. A world where the possibility of life on distant planets is far less alien an idea than the prospect of a black astronaut, neurosurgeon, filmmaker, or investment banker. In this world, we are encouraged to dream, but not too boldly. In this world, the universal promise to America's children--that in this land of opportunity, anyone can grow up to be anything they want to be, even president--comes with some fine print: As long as you are white.

A black person serving as CEO of a major corporation? Owning a billion-dollar company? Reigning as America's most beloved and powerful media darling? Earning a reputation as the nation's best lawyer? Buying a major sports franchise? Becoming secretary of state? Making deals on Wall Street? Those are nice ideas. But don't hold your breath. In this world, some things--such as a business/finance magazine for African Americans--are beyond the realm of imagination (never mind the realm of possibility) of most reasonable, sensible people.

There is no need for most of us to imagine this world--we lived in it only a few decades ago. I, my wife, Barbara, and a group of committed, talented, and dedicated people set out to change that world when we published the first issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE in August of 1970. "Lacking capital, managerial, and technical knowledge and crippled by prejudice, the minority businessman has been effectively kept out of the American marketplace," we declared in that inaugural issue. "We want to help change this."

And after 35 years, it is astonishing to see how far we have come in service of that mission. Today, African Americans' buying power exceeds $720 billion. Black executives, many identified early in their careers as rising stars by BE, have gained a solid foothold in the senior leadership of the nation's major public c corporations--with more than 20 earning the once-unreachable CEO title. In 1973, we began to identify and rank America's largest black-owned companies, eventually establishing the BE 100s as the holy grail of black entrepreneurial success. The nation's largest black-owned enterprises have experienced exponential growth since then, from less than half a billion dollars in revenues to more than $20 billion last year. To date, four black-owned companies have breached the billion-dollar revenue milestone. Levels of success, power, and wealth once deemed impossible for people of color have been attained by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Ken Chenault, Colin Powell, and the late Reginald F. Lewis.

As black America has progressed, so has BE. Our parent company, Earl G. Graves Ltd., has evolved from a single-magazine publisher to a synergized, multimedia enterprise. Today, BE'S "gospel" of wealth-building and business success is delivered via multiple platforms, including syndicated radio reports (in partnership with Clear Channel Communications); a weekly television show; our top-rated Website, blackenterprise.com; and premier business networking events such as the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference and the Black Enterprise/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge.

But this is about more than growing a successful company. For us, and especially for our editorial staff, this is personal. Our top priority in the 21st century remains to help black America close the wealth gap. After investing nearly $200,000 in black families through our monthly Financial Fitness Contest, we are taking it to another level. With the introduction of our Buy Your First Home Contest in this issue, we will help a family by giving them $10,000 toward the down payment on their first home. The goal of this contest is to increase the average net worth of black households by inspiring more African Americans to pursue homeownership--the largest source of wealth for most Americans.

We remain dedicated to ensuring that all black Americans have the opportunity to participate in the free enterprise system and get their share of the American dream. Our company will continue to transform the prospect of African American excellence, in every field we deem worthy of endeavor, from the impossible to the inevitable.

On the occasion of our 35th anniversary, welcome to the world according to BLACK ENTERPRISE.