Business
Earl Graves Sr., Black Enterprise founder, passes away at age 85
Earl Graves Sr., founder and publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine, has passed away. He was 85.
Earl Graves Sr., founder and publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine, has passed away. He was 85.
Earl Graves Sr. Dies at 85
His son, Earl “Butch” Graves Jr. confirmed the news in a post on Twitter, saying he died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
“I loved and admired this giant of a man, and am blessed to be his namesake,” said Graves Jr. in an update on Twitter.
Media career
Graves Sr. founded Black Enterprise in 1970 to provide tools and resources for African Americans to succeed in business.
In his award-winning, now classic, business bestseller, How To Succeed In Business Without Being White, Graves stated his life-defining purpose for founding Black Enterprise in simple, direct terms:
“The time was ripe for a magazine devoted to economic development in the African American community. The publication was committed to the task of educating, inspiring and uplifting its readers. My goal was to show them how to thrive professionally, economically and as proactive, empowered citizens.”
At 9:22pm this evening, April 6, my Father and Hero Earl Graves Sr., the Founder of @blackenterprise, passed away quietly after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. I loved and admired this giant of a man, and am blessed to be his namesake. LOVE YOU DAD! pic.twitter.com/UoerizfX8a
— Earl Butch Graves Jr (@EarlButchGraves) April 7, 2020
Black excellence honored
Graves Sr. was a quintessential entrepreneur who received the National Award of Excellence for his business achievements.
He also served on the boards of several Fortune 500 companies, including AMR Corp., which runs American Airlines, and DaimlerChrysler AG.
In 1999, he received the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal, the highest achievement for African Americans. In 2007, Graves Sr. was inducted into the U.S. Business Hall of Fame.
Earl Graves Sr. Upbringing
Graves Sr. was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1935. He graduated from Morgan State University with a degree in economics.
Following a brief stint in the Army, Graves Sr. went to work as an administrative assistant to the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy from 1965 to 1968.
Graves Sr, also played a pivotal role in galvanizing support for the election of the first African American president of the United States, Barack Obama, through his endorsement in Black Enterprise.
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
-
In Memoriam1 week ago
Beloved journalist, Robin Ayers, passes away at 44
-
Crime & Justice1 week ago
Family seeks justice for South Carolina 6th grader who survived suicide attempt
-
Crime & Justice3 weeks ago
Florida woman who fatally shot Black neighbor sentenced to 25 years in prison
-
Police2 weeks ago
Jay-Z’s Team Roc sues Kansas City, Kansas, for records related to alleged police misconduct
-
Police3 weeks ago
Tyron McAlpin, Black deaf man beaten by Phoenix police, plans to sue city for $3.5M
-
Crime & Justice3 weeks ago
Fundraiser started for Tuskegee University shooting victim La’Tavion Johnson
-
Police4 weeks ago
Family demands justice after Las Vegas man shot, killed by police after calling for help during home invasion
-
Culture2 weeks ago
Study shows 2025 dating trends will redefine how Gen-Z connects