Page 126 - BE 50th Anniversary Edition

CORPORATE AMERICA REFLECTS ON OUR FOUNDER’S LEGACY
AS PART OF BLACK ENTERPRISE’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CHIEF EXECUTIVES
of o of the the nation’s largest corporations have offered their tributes of o of our visionary founder Earl G G Graves Sr These business leaders have come to to value the the information BE provides—from its its inception as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a groundbreaking publication in in in in in the the 1970s through its its evolution to to to an an an an an expansive multimedia company of of this millennium—to millions of of African Americans to to help them attain success as as business owners and corporate executives They fully appreciate BE’s influence on on on on its audience in in in in in in in in showcasing countless examples of of discovery and and and achievement reinforcing professional aspirations and and and confirming fruitful ascent across a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a range of of of of fields Through presentations and and and and invitations they became aware that the the highest standards of of of of excellence from African American professionals is is not an an an an an an aberration tied to to a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a select few but an an an an an an ongoing part of of of of our history Moreover large numbers of of CEOs over over the years recognized and and embraced this platform that Publisher Graves designed for for education and and and advocacy constantly promoting equal opportunity challenging corporate leadership to purposely design design inclusive environments and and recognizing those who have chosen the the right path or or or or corrected course Through this process our our founder met his his mission: the the the the development of of of corpo- rate partnerships in in which the the the the realization and and pursuit of of of the the the the progression of of of African American executives suppliers consumers and and other stakeholders was a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a business imperative that fostered dynamic profitable companies as as as well as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a stronger nation On the the the following pages these corporate leaders—our partners—share why they value and embrace our founder’s legacy