ADA, Okla., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Darnell Self was named the 2004 "Entrepreneur of the Year" by the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC). Self has built a team of more than 75,000 Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (NYSE: PPD - News; PPLS) independent associates across the United States. This national award is given to the entrepreneur who demonstrates success, compassion, and dedication to economically empowering the African American community at large. Self accomplished this by partnering with Pre-Paid Legal, which provides legal expense plans that offer a variety of legal services in a manner similar to health insurance plans or HMOs. According to the company, the combined sales of Self's network exceeds the $50 million mark.

"Mr. Self has personally inspired Black Americans from all walks of life to build business networks that supply a valuable service to our communities," says Harry C. Alford, President and CEO of NBCC. "This man demonstrates pure leadership and entrepreneurship at its best by adding to the ever-growing African American middle class."

Before joining with Pre-Paid Legal, Self was selling clothes in a mall. He tried working in other network marketing programs with poor results. Then a friend introduced him to Pre-Paid Legal. Shortly after Self decided to sign up for the membership, he had an opportunity to test it. He called a Pre-Paid Legal provider lawyer about an old bill where he was overcharged by $92. After that one consultation and resulting phone call made on his behalf, the bill collection company removed the charge. "I quickly learned that this was a good product and could confidently sell it and encourage others to come aboard," says Self. "I knew many people who could not afford an attorney but needed to get legal advice before a bad situation got worse." The business that Self started in 1998 has grown to a network of 75,000 associates in all 50 states and Canada.

While, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average African American household earns $26,000 a year, Self has helped many people in his network achieve incomes far above the average, including many people achieving "Ring Earner" status -- $100,000 or greater during a 12-month time frame. Although the company does not capture such demographic information, Self believes nearly 98 percent of his organization is African American.

Some of the African Americans whom Self has helped grow into Pre-Paid Legal's "Million Dollar Club" members are: Antonio Adair, former US Postal Supervisor; K.C. and Lorraine Townes, previously in the United States Air Force; and Michael Humes, who now makes more in a month that he used to make in a year as a letter carrier.

After receiving this award, Self's hope is that more African Americans will adapt the guiding principles of his success, "Maintaining faith in one's belief, unity of our families, and creating financial independence with integrity. And, most importantly, learning to give more than you receive."

Pre-Paid Legal Services® Inc.: Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. is the only publicly traded company in the United States organized solely to design, underwrite, and market legal expense plans. For a monthly fee, the Company's legal expense plans offer a variety of legal services in a manner similar to medical reimbursement plans or HMOs. The Company currently provides legal services to over 1.4 million families across the U.S. and Canada. Plan benefits are delivered through a network of independent provider law firms. More information is available at http://www.prepaidlegal.com .

The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC): The NBCC is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States and internationally. This business association represents 95,000 Black-owned businesses with 190 affiliated chapters locally based throughout the nation, as well as international affiliate chapters. More information is available at: http://www.nationalbcc.org .