News organizations and titles: Founder and publisher of Black Enterprise magazine, 1970 to present; chairman and CEO, Earl G. Graves Ltd., present; chairman and CEO of Pepsi-Cola of Washington, D.C., L.P., 1990-98; editor in chief, Black Enterprise Magazine, 1970-93; owner, management consulting firms, 1968-70; administrative assistant to Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, 1965-68.
Legacy: Mr. Graves founded the first magazine dedicated to covering black business. The magazine and the Pepsi-Cola of Washington franchise that he once owned helped him become one of the most influential black business people in the country.
Journalistic Progeny: Many of business journalism's most-respected minority journalists owe a "thank you" to Mr. Graves. Also, numerous mainstream news organizations that now devote space to coverage of minority business.
Personal: Born 1935 in Brooklyn, N.Y.; member, National Black College Hall of Fame; director, Aetna Life and Casualty, AMR (American Airlines), DaimlerChrysler, Federated Department Stores, and Rohm & Haas. He volunteers on the boards of New American Schools Development, TransAfrica Forum and the American Museum of Natural History and Planetarium.
Family: Married Barbara Kydd July 2, 1960. They have three sons, Earl Gilbert Jr., John and Michael, all of whom work in the family's business.
Books: "How to Succeed in Business Without Being White," 1997.
Awards: 84th NAACP Spingarn Medal, 1999; Marietta Tree Award for Public Service from the Citizens Committee for New York City, 1998; the Charles Evans Hughes Gold Medal Award from The National Conference for Community and Justice, 1998; Ronald H. Brown Leadership Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1978; New York City Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, 1995; Dow Jones & Company Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence, 1992; National Award of Excellence, 1972. Education: Morgan State University, B.A., 1957, and honorary degrees from 41 universities, including his alma mater.
What he has said about himself: "The launching of Black Enterprise became the realization of my youthful bravado, but more importantly, it brought into being an instrument that is committed to the task of educating, inspiring and uplifting its readers - showing them how to thrive professionally, economically and as proactive, empowered citizens."
Home run stories or accomplishments: "How to Succeed in Business Without Being White" made The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal business best seller lists, and was a finalist for the 1997 Financial Times/Booz-Allen & Hamilton Global Business Book Award.
What he made news or headlines for: In 1995, Morgan State University announced it was renaming its business school the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management in recognition of his support for entrepreneurial education and many contributions to the school. During the 1990s, he served as chairman and CEO of Pepsi-Cola of Washington, D.C., L.P., the largest minority-controlled Pepsi-Cola franchise.
What others have said about him: Ann Fudge, NCM Capital Management Group, in 1995, at the magazine's 25th anniversary gala, about her introduction to Black Enterprise while in college: "I first picked up the magazine at the school library, because I, like many college students, couldn't afford to buy magazines. When I first read BE, I was particularly impressed with it because it was the first magazine that talked about black entrepreneurship and black economic development. When I started working and earning a living, I became a subscriber. That was more than 20 years ago."