On August 23, 1900, the National Negro Business League (NNBL) was founded in Boston by Booker T. Washington. The League’s primary goal was to promote and support African American businesses and entrepreneurs, providing them with a platform for growth and prosperity. It was part of Washington’s broader vision of economic self-sufficiency for Black Americans, which he believed could help in securing civil rights and social advancement.

The formation of the NNBL was an important step in the economic empowerment of African Americans in the early 20th century, advocating for Black entrepreneurship and the establishment of a strong economic base for the Black community. The League held its first annual conference in 1900, with various leaders and business owners attending, and it grew in influence over the years.