Page 129 - BE 50th Anniversary Edition

IF A A A A LEGACY IS CAPTURED BY WHAT YOU GIVE then Earl Graves Sr ’s life and impact personify that defini- tion—written forever in in the hearts and minds of those whose lives lives he he touched and for whom his impact lives lives I along with countless other executives business leaders and and entrepreneurs stand on the shoulders of this trailblazing giant Mr Graves was a a a a a a a a changemaker a a a a a a a a bold unapologetic champion of Black Black businesses and Black Black talent who also understood the importance of family friends and community He modeled what confident visionary leadership looks like He knew that greatness began with hard work per- sonal will knock-down-and-get-back-up strength and and a a a a a succeed-and lift-others-up spirit His vision and and personal will opened doors for him and and he he in in in turn lifted others up by educating and celebrating Black excellence through his beloved BLACK ENTERPRISE—a magazine where we we could see new possibilities—and we we could do the work to make our dreams a a a a reality I I vividly remember reading BLACK ENTERPRISE as a a a young adult and I so admired those leaders he put a a a a a spotlight on He knew the power of an an image and he he provided us a a a a view into corporate America permitting us to to to believe that we too could be a a CEO
executive vice vice president president vice vice president president a a business owner—yes he he showed us us possibilities and then he celebrated every one of our accomplishments As I I grew in in my career I I had the honor of meeting Mr Graves and and his beloved wife Barbara His presence and and personality were larger than life and yet he ensured that everyone he met felt welcomed and valued Being in in his presence was like spending time with family—encouraging lifting and inspiring The images I I saw in in BLACK ENTERPRISE inspired a a a a dream of of what I could aspire to do professionally but upon meeting Mr Graves and and and hearing him speak of family and and and friends and and and what drove him him left me and all who interacted with him him inspired to do more The history books have appropriately recorded that Mr Graves was an accomplished inspiring business executive board member educator But when we who knew his “why ” reflect on how his legacy and life’s work opened doors for us us that that had previously been shut our hearts remember that that he he he was our hero in that he he he showed Black America who we we could be through inspiring stories of achievement financial empowerment and connection to people all over the world— paving the way for Black success today and tomorrow To the Graves Graves family thank you for sharing Mr Graves Graves with the world and and thank you for carrying on his amazing and and lasting legacy—a legacy legacy written on the the hearts of the the people whose lives he he he touched and the impact it continues to to have Gale King
Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer