The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) is an economic development organization that strives to achieve sustainable and lasting economic equity in the state of Oregon. Their work reflects that economic development is community development, and economic justice is social justice. In May of 2020, the senseless murder of George Floyd sparked passionate emotions regarding racism across the nation, including Oregon, where discussions advanced about bringing economic justice to Black businesses that had not been given the opportunities to grow and prosper. This resulted in the Black Economic Prosperity Agenda, a long-term plan that focuses on public-private partnerships to drive Black economic prosperity. The BBAO partners with organizations, including government agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations, among others, to carry out the Black Economic Prosperity Agenda. 

The BBAO partners with and supports Black-led organizations that work to improve the lives of Black Oregonians. They implement economic development best practices to help Black businesses grow and prosper. This includes collaborating with elected officials to develop policies that lead to large-scale changes that promote equity and engaging with philanthropic communities, encouraging them to make investments into the Black Economic Prosperity Agenda.

The BBAO’s services include:

• Business Retention & Expansion: help retain Black businesses, foster growth and improve their position in the marketplace.
• Entrepreneurial Development: assess Black entrepreneurs and assist them with starting and establishing new businesses.
• Workforce Development: work with existing companies to asses their workforce needs and match them with qualified Black employees.
• Black Business Recruiting: recruit Black businesses from and around the country to set up operations in Oregon.

The BBAO maintains the Oregon Black Prosperity Dashboard on their website which assembles key data to tell a socio-economic story of the state’s Black community to help inform stakeholders and the public as they consider changes to public systems and practices. The dashboard assesses community conditions across five domains: population, health, education, economic well-being and business ownership. To view this data, please click on the link for the: Black Prosperity Dashboard - Black Business Association of Oregon.

Membership is open to entrepreneurs, business owners, corporations and individuals who want to support initiatives that will bring economic equity to Black Oregonians. If you are interested in being a member, supporting donor or learning more about the BBAO, visit their website at bbaoregon.org. You can contribute to the BBAO cause by referring someone to Davidson & Associates during February, and we will make a $25 donation on your behalf.

Refer a friend, family member, colleague, or local business for their free, no-obligation quote to support this worthy nonprofit!

Not a current Davidson & Associates client? Call (360) 514-9550 for your free, no-obligation quote and mention our Referral Rewards Program to support the Black Business Association of Oregon.