BBN was founded in 2021 by a group of individuals dedicated to sharing professional resources with Black students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Recognizing that many students of color feel limited in their career opportunities aims to empower them, highlight their potential, and foster a "Paying it Forward" culture to support future Black professionals.

The pillars of Black Business Networks are (ACE): Activism, Connection, and Enrichment. They are designed to guide the organization in providing quality events for members that foster interconnectivity between the campus community and the professional world.