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. 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.”

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.