The Presidents' RoundTable, Inc.

African-American CEOs believe in the American dream that says you can succeed through your own efforts and be rewarded with a fair share of America’s wealth. The reality is we struggle harder and longer to attain that dream. Yet we are not deterred and continue to persist against many barriers and obstacles. The future of our children, our community and our country depends upon our being successful entrepreneurs.

One strategy we know to be effective is to build a business to sustainable capacity and give back to the community so that everyone benefits. Once a business survives the startup phase, other aspects of developing the business highlight the difficulty of finding and maintaining relevant relationships and networks with other African-American CEOs and majority CEOs.

A survey of the economic landscape clearly points out that those historical inequities continue to be prevalent for minorities pursuing business in the public and private sectors. It becomes the responsibility of the more successful enterprises to improve opportunities so smaller minority firms have access to markets and opportunities.

Formed in 1983, this self-sustaining organization, The Presidents’ RoundTable, Inc., fills an important void for the community and the organization’s members by addressing these issues: (1) the need to find a supportive cohort group, (2) the need to ensure openness and access to opportunities, and (3) the need to maintain a mechanism to give back to the community.

The members of PRT are an eclectic collection of CEOs and industries that see the value of working and sharing synergistically. As a result, strong friendships evolve wherein members can count on each other for advice, counsel and sometimes just an understanding ear. In addition to providing financial support for community organizations, individual members contribute to and serve on more than 70 community and corporate boards in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area. The group maintains an open dialogue with elected officials to advocate for legislation that addresses barriers and obstacles minorities face when building businesses. The Presidents’ RoundTable also forms strategic partnerships and alliances with other like-minded organizations. In pursuit of economic advancement for the community and country, the member companies of PRT employ more than 1,200 persons.