Submit nominations for Black-Owned Business Excellence’s Annual Community and Business Leadership Awards by Nov. 21
release date: November 14, 2025
Black-Owned Business Excellence (BOBE) invites you to submit nominations for its Seventh Annual Community and Business Leadership Awards. Nominate your favorite visionaries, innovators, and changemakers driving Black business excellence across Washington State by Friday, Nov. 21.
“This is your opportunity to help us spotlight the entrepreneurs, community builders, and organizations who embody the spirit of innovation, influence, and impact,” said Jenefeness Franke, principal collaborator with BOBE.
Recipients for six of the awards will receive a $1,000 grant; all will be honored at the Seventh Annual Black-Owned Business Excellence Symposium on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. The Seattle Public Library is cosponsoring this event.
How to nominate a business
Submit your nomination for a BOBE Community and Business Award at this online form by Friday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m.
Please do not nominate the same person or organization for multiple categories. You are welcome to nominate yourself. Please note that your nomination responses may be shared or quoted in marketing materials and event promotions. All nominees must be located in Washington State.
2026 award categories
BOBE’s Community and Business Leadership Awards recognize individuals and organizations who exemplify the BOBE mission: advancing Black business growth, closing the wealth gap, and creating generational change through collaboration, leadership, and excellence in the following ways. There are awards in seven categories:
- The Rising Visionary Award (Youth/Young Adult):Recognizing young Black entrepreneurs (ages 25 and under) who are boldly building businesses, wealth, and awareness in their communities. These changemakers embody the Power Moves spirit — taking vision and turning it into action, proving that age is no barrier to excellence or impact.
- The Elijah L. Lewis “Boundless Advocate” Award:Named in honor of Elijah L. Lewis, this award celebrates a community leader who stands unwaveringly for Black people, progress, and purpose. They show up, speak out, and take action — expanding boundaries and pushing for collective advancement in every space they enter.
- The Trailblazer Award (Start-Up on the Move): Awarded to a Black-owned business under two years old that’s making major moves and measurable impact. These founders are redefining what’s possible through creativity, resilience, and innovation — blazing a trail toward generational wealth and legacy.
- The Ecosystem Champion Award (Black-Owned Advocate): Honoring a Black entrepreneur, advocate, or leader who consistently brings resources, access, programming, and policy support to Black-owned businesses. They are the connectors — building bridges, creating opportunities, and ensuring Black businesses thrive beyond boundaries.
- The Lewis Rudd Legacy in Business Award (Long-Standing Business):Named in honor of Lewis Rudd, this award recognizes a Black-owned business operating for 10 or more years that has withstood challenges from economic challenges to social injustice and continues to grow with excellence. This honoree represents the endurance, innovation, and influence that sustain our collective legacy.
- The Living Legacy Award (Community Elder):Presented to a respected elder or lifelong advocate whose leadership, mentorship, and dedication have paved the way for future generations. Their vision, sacrifice, and service embody the essence of “From Vision to Legacy” — proving that power moves are not made overnight, but over lifetimes.
- The Ally in Action Award (Black-Owned Ally):Recognizing a non-Black partner, agency, organization, or individual who actively uses their voice, influence, and resources to uplift and empower the Black business community. This ally doesn’t just stand beside us — they stand with us, breaking barriers and fostering equity through meaningful partnership (non-monetary award).
About the BOBE Symposium
The Seventh Annual Community and Business Leadership Awards, to be held on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, is a signature celebration dedicated to recognizing and supporting the visionaries, innovators, and changemakers driving Black business excellence across Washington State. The 2026 theme will be “Power Moves: Beyond Boundaries — From Vision to Legacy,” honoring those who have made bold moves to expand opportunity, strengthen community, and build legacies that will inspire generations to come. Find out more about the BOBE Symposium at www.bobe-wa.org. Registration and location details will be posted soon.
Black-Owned Business Excellence
Black-Owned Business Excellence is a volunteer-led 501c3 organization with a collaborative of different local minority owned businesses, organizations and individuals coming together to support, educate, inspire and elevate businesses that are owned by historically underserved business owners in Washington State since 2020. The inaugural BOBE Symposium was held during Black History Month in Tacoma in 2020 with a group of successful business owners that shared their stories, resource partners who provided technical assistance and the community that came together to support. For more information or to register, visit www.bobewa.org.
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Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information. Find out more about our future plans at www.spl.org/StrategicPlan.