Twenty Illinois-Based Companies Among the Nation's Top Grossing Black-Owned Businesses

BLACK ENTERPRISE Issues 33rd Annual Report on Black-Owned Businesses

NEW YORK, May 24 -- Twenty Illinois-based firms are among the nations leading African American-owned businesses, according to the BLACK ENTERPRISE 33rd annual B.E. 100s report. The listing is recognized as the most respected measure of black-owned business performance. Overall, the B.E. 100s total 280 businesses, which include 100 industrial/service companies, 100 auto dealerships, 65 financial service firms and 15 advertising agencies.

Johnson Publishing Co. Inc., No. 5 on the B.E. Industrial/Service list, is Illinois top grossing African American-owned company. Founded in 1942 and on the list since its inception, the company reported 2004 sales of $498 million.

Founded in 1986 by chief executive Oprah Winfrey, Harpo Inc., No. 14 on the B.E. Industrial/Service list, reported sales of $275 million in 2004.

On the B.E. Auto Dealer 100 list, Advantage Chevrolet of Hodgkins ranked as Illinois' largest African American-owned auto dealership, reporting 2004 sales of nearly $64 million.

Chicago-based Burrell ranked No. 4 on the B.E. Advertising Agencies list with $190 million in billings for 2004.

Chicago-based Ariel Capital Management Inc. ranked No. 1 on the B.E. Asset Managers list with $21 billion in assets under management. Ariel Capital remains the nation's largest African American asset management firm.

Seaway National Bank of Chicago ranked No. 7 on the B.E. Banks list with $322 million in assets for 2004.

Loop Capital Markets L.L.C. of Chicago ranked No. 3 on the B.E. Investment Banks list with almost $84 billion in total managed issues.

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 Illinois-based companies ranked in the B.E. 100s report, please contact Andrew Wadium at (212) 886-9598 or email wadiuma@blackenterprise.com.

BLACK ENTERPRISE, your ultimate guide to financial empowerment, is the premier business and investment resource for African Americans. For 35 years be has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. The publication provides 3.8 million readers with monthly information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. As the definitive source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders, be is the authority for business news and trends.