Across the big companies in the S&P 500 index, more than a third did not have a single Black director in 2019, according to Black Enterprise.
In many cases, forces outside the companies are pushing for better representation in the board room and in senior executive ranks.
Shareholders, governments and other proponents say it makes business sense for companies leadership to reflect the customers they serve and the workforces they oversee.
In recent years, shareholders and governments have been putting heavier pressure on companies to add women in particular to their boards.
Another 27 companies that already have at least one Black director also pledged to encourage corporations broadly to accelerate efforts to get full representation on boards.