On January 24, 2025, the National Alliance for Black Business (NABB) achieved a significant milestone by securing two federal trademarks from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): 'National Alliance for Black Business' (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 7616333) and 'NABB National Alliance for Black Business' (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 7606600) [e361672f]. This accomplishment is viewed as a pivotal step towards enhancing Black economic empowerment and fostering the unification of Black businesses on a global scale.
The NABB, co-founded by the National Business League (NBL), the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), and The World Conference of Mayors (WCM), aims to promote and support Black entrepreneurship. Dr. Ken L. Harris, President of the NBL, emphasized the importance of this legal victory, stating that it redefines Black economic empowerment. Honorable Johnny Ford, founder of the WCM, highlighted the trademarks as essential for a global economic strategy, while Charles H. DeBow III, President of the NBCC, noted that these trademarks affirm their commitment to integrating Black businesses into the broader economy [e361672f].
The NABB was established in 2022, and its accomplishments in 2024 included hosting the NBL's 124th National Black Business Conference, which attracted over 3,000 attendees. Additionally, NABB partnered with USAID to strengthen trade ties, further enhancing its role in the economic landscape [e361672f]. Looking ahead, the organization plans to launch the Black Business Enterprise Certification and Scorecard Program in August 2025, which is expected to provide additional support to Black entrepreneurs [e361672f].
In parallel, discussions at Invention-Con 2024, held on August 16-17, 2024, at the USPTO headquarters, underscored the significance of the patent system for innovation and economic growth. Christie Thoene from Qualcomm noted that intellectual property rights account for 40% of the U.S. economy, indicating the potential for increased patenting among underrepresented groups to significantly boost GDP [b6af8cf8].
Legislative efforts in 2024 have also focused on strengthening trademark protections and combating counterfeiting. The Senate Committee on the Judiciary designated July as 'National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month,' while the SHOP SAFE Act aims to hold e-commerce platforms accountable for the sale of counterfeit goods [f0c27228]. These developments, alongside the NABB's achievements, reflect a broader commitment to protecting intellectual property rights and fostering a more equitable economic environment for Black businesses and entrepreneurs [b6af8cf8].