Earl Gilbert Graves Sr. (1935–2020) was an American entrepreneur, publisher, businessman, philanthropist, and advocate of African-American businesses. He was the founder of Black Enterprise magazine and chairman of Earl G. Graves, Ltd., a media company focused on black entrepreneurship and black businesses.
Born to West Indian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Graves received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1958 from Morgan State University. After working for the Army and president John F. Kennedy, Graves launched Black Enterprise in 1970 to cover black businesses and fostered success in the African-American business community. Graves created Earl G. Graves, Ltd., the parent company of Earl G. Graves Publishing Company, which produces Black Enterprise magazine.
Graves served as a director for Aetna, Boy Scouts of America, American Airlines, Daimler AG, Federated Department Stores, and Pepsi. He wrote the best-selling How to Succeed in Business without Being White: Straight Talk on Making it in America (1997.)
Graves was the father of Earl Gilbert “Butch” Graves Jr., a basketball player and American businessperson.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Earl G. Graves Sr.
We keep going back, stronger, not weaker, because we will not allow rejection to beat us down. It will only strengthen our resolve. To be successful there is no other way.
—Earl G. Graves Sr.
Topics: Success
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