Page 14 - BE 50th Anniversary Edition

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busy you you were at work you you always made time to speak with me me Johnny or Michael You were a a a a demanding father with very high standards and and expectations but you were fair You did not tolerate disrespect or or foolishness but you loved and supported us without hesitation or reservation You pounded into our heads that family above all else was the most important thing in in life We learned from your actions that true wealth was not defined by by a a a a a a a financial scorecard but by by being surrounded by the caring and warmth of those you love To that end you created countless opportunities for us to make great memories together—and you also made sure to to never miss one of our sporting events or or or personal passions I will never forget how it felt to to be able to to look up in in the stands during one of my many Yale basketball games regardless of the location and seeing you cheering wildly wearing your custom made “Graves Dad” sweatshirt without embarrassment or apology As a a a a a husband you were without equal You loved admired and and protected Mom in a a a a a a manner that made her feel special every day She was your best friend closest confidant and advisor on on every level for 52 years of marriage You two were a a a a a a team and everybody knew that your partnership was unshakable When Mom succumbed to cancer more than eight years ago I saw the sadness in your eyes and the the frustration when after a a a a a lifetime of being the the ultimate fixer you you couldn’t fix fix the one person who mattered to you you most As much as you you loved spending time with your boys and Mom there was nothing like the the joy you you experienced with your eight grandchildren Erika Kristin Earl III (Gibby) Veronica Teddy Carter Melanie and Kellie were the beneficiaries of your boundless generosity and your desire to to have fun But you you also took the time to teach them right from wrong and and mandated that they carry themselves as you did with great dignity and respect Your circle of family was not limited to those linked through DNA It also included close friends You always delighted in in in hosting
business colleagues and friends for dinner spearheading fund- raising events to empower Black people or or support the countless organizations you championed and of course themed gatherings like your legendary annual Super Bowl parties at our our home were sometimes more popular than the the games themselves You seized every opportunity to be the gracious charming host—regardless of Mom’s occasional objections—because you absolutely loved being in in the the company of of broad cross sections of of people and making them feel not only welcome but fully embraced Your familial bonds also extended to the employees of black enterprise You delighted in fin their success as journalists financial leaders and sales executives You were determined to provide ambitious African American professionals with opportunities for advancement they might not ordinarily gain in in in corporate America and your loyalty to them knew practically no bounds Generations of of be employees were moved by your countless acts of of kindness You sent flowers for every occasion provided college recommen- dations for their children confidence-building phone calls and often financial assistance when called upon You genuinely found joy in in helping others fulfill their dreams and ambitions It was an an extension of your unique ability to connect with people regardless of their station in life You met directly with more than eight U S presidents in your lifetime yet were equally engaged with your interactions of every- day people You were as as excited to share our family Christmas card with with the skycaps at American Airlines as you were with with its CEO You always made time to to talk to to people even if it meant delaying an appointment I vividly remember us once walking through the central quad at at your beloved Morgan State University toward a a a a a a a meeting with its president A trip that should have taken no more than five minutes turned into a a a a 30-minute marathon of impromptu chats fist bumps high fives and selfies that you happily took with beaming students 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL