11 Alabama-Based Companies Among the Nation's Top Grossing Black-Owned Businesses

BLACK ENTERPRISE Issues 32nd Annual Report on Black-Owned Businesses

NEW YORK, May 26 -- Eleven Alabama-based firms are among the nation's leading African American-owned businesses, according to the BLACK ENTERPRISE 32nd annual BE 100s report. The listing is recognized as the most respected measure of black-owned business performance. Overall, the BE 100s total 280 businesses, which include 100 industrial/service companies, 100 auto dealerships, 65 financial service firms and 15 advertising agencies.

Calhoun Enterprises, No. 33 on the BE Industrial/Service 100 list, still ranks as Alabama's top-grossing African American-owned industrial service company. The supermarket food service and telecommunications company reported 2003 sales of $111 million.

Huntsville-based LESCO debuts at No. 66. The government contractor reported revenues for 2003 at $52 million.

Family Ford Sales Inc. is Alabama's largest African-American-owned auto dealership with $96 million in sales.

On the BE Banks list, First Tuskegee Bank ranked at No. 23 with $61 million in assets.

Booker T. Washington Insurance Company, based in Birmingham, ranked No. 4 on the BE Insurance list with $55 million in assets.

The complete listing, including eligibility requirements and criteria, is available in the June issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE on newsstands now.

For a complete list of all Alabama-based companies ranked in the BE 100s report, please contact Andrew Wadium at (212) 886-9598 or email wadiuma@blackenterprise.com.

BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine provides essential business information and advice for professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers. Monthly, the publication provides more than 3.6 million readers with information about financial management, entrepreneurship, and careers. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the authority for business and trends and is the source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders. The magazine is published by Earl G. Graves Publishing Co.