Our Rich History

In 1983, the founders of The Presidents' RoundTable formed an alliance with a primary purpose to accelerate black business growth. Every Tuesday morning in the basement training room of a Baltimore City McDonald’s, the thirteen charter members of the PRT met to share ideas, experiences, business intelligence, advice and support. These members certainly did not represent all of the viable African American businesses in Maryland. This was an eclectic group. Entrepreneurs are, by nature, loners who "play their cards close to their vest." However, at the PRT meetings, members quickly developed a norm of being open and candid with information and opinions. These Tuesday breakfast meetings, which were held every week for more than a year, resulted in a phenomenal sharing of information. Business leads were passed around the table as easily as biscuits and jelly. Enduring friendships and business relationships were shaped and cultivated at those meetings.

The concept of a business-oriented organization for African Americans is not unique; many have been formed and disbanded. What makes The Presidents' Roundtable unique is that it continues to operate under its own impetus and auspices.

While they no longer meet in a McDonald’s basement, this Maryland-based membership organization, continues to advocate for the building of African American businesses as an economic development strategy, to share business intelligence, and to give collegial support to its members.

FOUNDING MEMBERS