According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, annual receipts from Black-owned businesses totaled $150 billion, 2.5 million Black-owned businesses have no paid employees (95.8 percent) and only 109,000 had at least one paid employee. But with a consistent, targeted effort, those numbers and figures can grow.

Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce (ILBCC) is an advocate for the pro-Black-owned business agenda across Illinois and beyond. Entrepreneurship has always been a mainstay in the Black community with owners working hard to establish, maintain and grow their businesses..

Despite obstacles including lack of access to capital, resources, connections and at times inconsistent support from the public, in the 21st century the entrepreneurial spirit continues to be alive and well in Black America. ILBCC is committed to continued growth of Black-owned businesses in Illinois and beyond.