Every shipment arriving at a warehouse, retail store, construction site, or front door depends on a logistics network that keeps commerce moving.
The industry encompasses trucking, freight brokerage, warehousing, commercial vehicle sales, food distribution, moving services, and technology platforms that coordinate increasingly complex supply chains.
Black-owned businesses have built companies across each of these segments, from century-old transportation firms to modern logistics technology platforms serving customers nationwide.
Here are ten Black-owned logistics and transportation companies helping move goods, support supply chains, and strengthen the infrastructure behind the U.S. economy.
Featured Companies
The companies featured in this article represent a cross-section of the logistics industry, including moving and storage, freight transportation, commercial vehicle infrastructure, warehousing and fulfillment, logistics technology, food distribution, and supply chain management.
- E.E. Ward Moving & Storage | Grove City, OH
- Xpress Global Systems (XGS) | Chattanooga, TN
- Sun State International Trucks | Hyattsville, MD
- Saltbox | Atlanta, GA
- Trio Enterprises | Cincinnati, OH
- NR Swanks Freight Brokerage | Houston, TX
- The Anderson-DuBose Company |Lordstown, OH
1. E.E. Ward Moving & Storage | Grove City, OH
Founded in 1881 by John T. Ward and his son William, E.E. Ward Moving & Storage is recognized as the oldest continuously operating Black-owned business in the United States.
John T. Ward, a conductor on the Underground Railroad, established Ward Transfer Line with a wagon, a team of horses, and two helpers before expanding into commercial moving and storage.
Today, the company provides residential and commercial moving, corporate relocation, logistics, and storage services through locations in Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida. Under the ownership of Brian and Dominique Brooks, who acquired the company in 2001, E.E. Ward has continued expanding while preserving one of the longest-running business legacies in American history.
2. Xpress Global Systems (XGS) | Chattanooga, TN
Founded in 1986 by Micky Miller as Crown Transport, Xpress Global Systems (XGS) has grown into one of the nation’s largest Black-owned logistics companies specializing in flooring transportation and distribution.
The company serves manufacturers, distributors, importers, and retailers through an integrated supply chain model that combines specialized LTL shipping, warehousing, inventory management, brokerage, and final-mile delivery.
Today, XGS operates more than 30 strategically located distribution centers across the United States through its Flagship Distribution Model, enabling customers to manage inventory and freight movement from manufacturing facilities to installation sites within a single logistics network. The company also provides proprietary supply chain technology that improves inventory visibility and delivery efficiency.
3. Sun State International Trucks | Hyattsville, MD
Sun State International Trucks is one of the nation’s largest Black-owned commercial truck dealerships and a full-service transportation solutions provider.
Led by CEO Oscar Horton, the company sells new and used commercial trucks, trailers, and buses while offering financing, parts, maintenance, fleet management, and aftermarket services.
Originally established in the 1920s and acquired by Horton in 2000, Sun State has expanded to multiple locations across Florida while becoming an award-winning International truck dealer. Today, the company serves owner-operators, commercial fleets, municipalities, and school districts with transportation equipment and support services designed to keep vehicles on the road.
4. Saltbox | Atlanta, GA
Founded in 2019 by Tyler Scriven, Paul D’Arrigo, and Candice Adams, Saltbox was created to solve the logistics challenges Scriven experienced while building his own ecommerce business.
The company has since evolved into an operations hub for product-based businesses, combining flexible warehouse space, fulfillment services, shipping technology, and operational support under one roof.
Today, Saltbox supports more than 1,000 businesses across multiple U.S. markets, helping entrepreneurs receive inventory, fulfill orders, manage shipping, and scale without committing to traditional warehouse leases or fully outsourced logistics providers.
5. Trio Enterprises | Cincinnati, OH
Founded in 1982 by Carvel Simmons, Trio Enterprises has grown into an integrated transportation company operating through three divisions: Trio Trucking, Trio Intermodal, and Trio Logistics.
The company provides truckload transportation, intermodal shipping, brokerage, warehousing, and supply chain solutions, helping manufacturers and retailers manage freight across North America through a single logistics partner.
Today, Trio supports customers ranging from Fortune 100 manufacturers to consumer goods companies, including Procter & Gamble, Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, and The J.M. Smucker Company. President and CEO Tamara Paul now leads the family-owned business, continuing its expansion while building on more than four decades of experience in transportation and logistics.
6. NR Swanks Freight Brokerage | Houston, TX
Founded in 2018 by Nikisha Reagan, NR Swanks Freight Brokerage provides third-party logistics services for shippers and carriers throughout the United States and Canada.
The company specializes in full truckload (FTL), partial truckload (PTL), and less-than-truckload (LTL) freight, helping businesses move shipments through a nationwide carrier network while emphasizing transparency, reliability, and long-term partnerships.
Beyond its brokerage operations, NR Swanks has expanded into freight broker training, mentoring, carrier onboarding, and business development resources for aspiring transportation entrepreneurs. The company also offers consulting and startup support for new owner-operators and freight brokers, reflecting Reagan’s broader focus on workforce development within the logistics industry.
7. The Anderson-DuBose Company | Lordstown, OH
Founded in 1991 by Warren Anderson and Steve DuBose, The Anderson-DuBose Company has grown into one of the nation’s largest minority-owned foodservice distribution firms.
The company provides end-to-end logistics solutions for more than 500 McDonald’s and Chipotle restaurants, managing the procurement, warehousing, quality control, and distribution of more than 800 food, beverage, packaging, and operating supply items through a network of distribution centers in Ohio, New York, Florida, and Tennessee.
Before expanding its U.S. footprint, Anderson-DuBose also operated McDonald’s distribution centers in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, making it one of the first Black-owned foodservice distribution companies to build an international logistics network.
Shoppe Black is building a curated index of Black-owned businesses. If you’d like your company considered for inclusion, submit an inquiry here.
