What a great family man of vision, who pioneered a way forward that inspires so many today. His legacy will always be a beacon to all who encountered him and to those who are getting to know him through his works and service to the black community.

On this day of remembrance, I recognize a man of tremendous honor, Mr. Graves. Rest Well, soldier.

Earl's wisdom and leadership ability are sorely missed.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to a true father and husband.

I'll always cherish meeting Mr. Graves during the 1986 Commencement Weekend @ Brown University. He was a commencement speaker; and knowing that my career interest was education & entrepreneurship, I definitely desired to meet him. My introduction to him was warm & special, as it was given by my 1986 classmate, Johnny Graves. Mr. Graves was warmly cordial, attentively listened to my goals about pursuing a dual career in education & entrepreneurship, and encouraged me with words of wisdom and a lunch meetg. invite @ BE headquarters ofc. in NYC. // Due to post-graduation commitments with Athletes In Action (South America Tour) then professional (Euro League & USBL) then my winding "career development journey," I unfortunately didn't get the chance to schedule that lunch meetg. However, I'll never forget his encouraging words: "Follow your passion in your career pursuit no matter how long it takes, no matter the challenges. Persevere."// His cordiality and words of encouragement, along with my faith in GOD, and determination to live a purpose-full & impact-full life by following my passions have resulted in me realizing my goals & dreams. I'm not yet at the pinnacle of my journey, but I'm continuing to make progress by living out my growth mindset motto: "Always Striving Higher." ☺️

A true champion of life. Mr. Earl will forever be missed by many.

Heavenly Birthday Mr. Graves. Continue to RIP!

Heavenly Birthday Blessings Mr. Graves.
Look down with a smile and know that your iconic contributions and your legacy are truly timeless and will never be forgotten.

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY TO A TRUE GENTLEMAN, FATHER AND LEADER OF INDUSTRY…They don’t make them like Mr. Earl anymore. He’s truly missed.

Thank you Mr. Graves. 
RIP, God Bless your soul and family. 

Respectfully,
R. McClain

Heavenly Birthday Mr. Graves. Gone but NEVER FORGOTTEN.

Reading all of these tributes and viewing the breadth and depth of Earl's
accomplishments is a wonderful way to honor his memory.
Deepest sympathy to the family, Judy Sutton Storeygard (intern with Earl in RFK's office)

Happy Heavenly Birthday to the greatest Dad I’ve ever met! . Mr. Earl was ALL ABOUT family.

To the Graves family: I had the privilege of working under Earl as an intern in Senator Robert Kennedy's office. His intelligence and dedication were evident as was his sense of humor. He loved to tease me about how flustered I was when I met RFK. He cared about the issues the constituents raised. Years later when I attended an legends award ceremony for him at the Museum of African American History in Boston, I was touched that he remembered me--even my illegible handwriting! I thought of him often over the years. He was a true gentleman. I am confident that you will continue his legacy. With deepest sympathy, Judy Sutton Storeygard

Ironically, I came to know Mr. Graves not through meetting him or reading something he wrote, but through touring his home when it was being vacated through an estate sale just after the passing of his wife. I was able to understand him on a more personal level when I viewed his collection of books, magazines, mementoes, furnishings and art. Among some of the items I chose at the sale was a small leather briefcase with his name attached in a tag. I also purchased a small sculpture done by a close friend of Mr. Graves, and some of BE's magazines.
Realizing what he and his wife had accomplished remains indelibly printed in my thoughts.
At the time of the sale I was teaching high school students in NY; many of which I introduced to Mr. Graves' legacy though lesson and essay assignments needing to be supported by research. Not enough of his legacy is made known to those who would benefit from his example.
To this day his briefcase and luggage tag are still with me. Although they are no longer carried by me into a classroom, I make sure that they accompany me when possible.

Earl, you were an outstanding leader; a person of great compassion with a high regard for your staff at BLACK ENTERPRISE and its affiliates. You truly deserve all of the accolades that continue to be bestowed in memory of you. Your legacy is forever!

I miss you!
Jim Comer

Gone....but NEVER FORGOTTEN. RIP

You shared yourself unselfishly and tirelessly, your dash will continue to sow prolific seeds for generations to come. Thank you Mr. Earl G. Graves Sr.

I am grateful and thankful for Mr. Earl Graves, Sr. vision in creating Black Enterprise Magazine.  This magazine sparked my interest to learn about business. He was a true trailblazer for African Americans and others around the world.

I started reading Black Enterprise Magazine as an 11 year old. I was so fascinated and awed to see the many accomplishments and the evolving state of Black America! This was in the early 1970's and I continued with subscriptions in the subsequent decades. What a gift Earl Graves Sr. and family have been to us all. May his memory continue to be a blessing to his family and all who loved him.

A man who walked the talk, with extraordinary wisdom. Honor Earl C. Graves at least once in your life, by excelling towards BETTER. He was and will always be our archangel of journalism. Contributed is devotion to our people through voice and pen. To his family, thank you for your unselfish moments we had to share with Mr. Graves. Our blessing.

Thank you, Sir, for the vision, and being a trailblazer supporting black business owners over the years! Your legacy lives on and continues to touch countless lives.

Susan Johnson
Entrepreneur, Executive Coach
Truth Enterprise Partners
www.truthernterprisepartners.com

Thank you, Mr. Earl Graves Snr., for educating black America about financial empowerment in an easy inclusive manner. You are gone, but not forgotten. We miss you. Your legacy lives on. RIP.

Remembering Mr. Earl G. Graves, Sr.

A monumental role model, innovator, businessman, and humanitarian are only several of his many roles.

Thank you, Mr. Earl G. Graves for your courage in highlighting our business community, creating opportunities for upward mobility, and leaving a lasting legacy which succeeds your presence. May your spirit live on in your family and future projects to come.

Deepest condolences to the Graves family for every sacrifice rendered over the years, friends, staff, and global and domestic community.

May God's grace, strength, and peace be with you continuously.

The world has lost one of our great pioneers for black empowerment and entrepreneurship. I learned so much from reading black enterprise magazine during my college years and the importance of creating home ownership to wealth building principles. I am proud to say that his guidance to the black community and the cause for black inclusion in the business world has been effective as we have more people of color at board room tables that ever before in history. He made a profound effect on many young black men and his legacy lives on forever. I will always support black enterprise and the positive messages that they instill in my community and the world. Thank you Mr. Graves and your family for your never ending devotion. God bless. Mr. G. White - New York City.

Bro. Graves was such a great man! He and my wife's uncle, Sam Pinn, went waaay back. Simone remembers him fondly. When I met him at Mr Pinn's funeral, Mrs. Pinn introduced me to him and told him that I was Simone's husband. The first words out of his mouth were "So you let those eyes get you huh...." And he let out this great laugh!

I can only imagine the times that he and Mr. Pinn may have had. Your father was a giant amongst men. He did so much for Black economic empowerment. He will be greatly missed. It is up to all of us to continue that legacy.

Yusef Johnson 2 PBB 2009

Earl Graves lived a remarkable life with unequaled gusto, deep thoughtfulness, great success, and engaging humor--as a citizen, Civil Rights and child and youth advocate, family man and friend. Our friendship has been one of the highlights of my own life. He is gone now, but the strong winds of his presence will be with me and us forever. Thanks Earl
Jim Comer

Earl Graves was a valued member of the PepsiCo family. His inspirational leadership raised our expectation for excellence. He positively and consistently challenged our thinking and our actions to make the company a place where everyone was welcomed, encouraged, supported and rewarded for excellence. It was a privilege to call him my friend.

Earl Graves was a giant of a man who was with us when we needed him most. His enthusiastic manner when greeting you was a gift that inspired you to move forward against any odds. I am blessed to have memories of him.

America has lost a Giant but his legacy will be timeless. 
                                                                         So proud to have worked for this legendary trailblazer and visionary back in the day. It was the thrill of a lifetime writing and editing for one of this country's premier national business publications, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Mr. Graves' Black Enterprise magazine ascended, over these past five decades, from coffee-table staple in black households to present-day digital media empire. His uniquely inspired mission was always to tirelessly shine a much-needed light on African-American entrepreneurship, leadership, and business excellence.          

And, in that pursuit, Mr. Graves -- you never failed.

You will be missed, but never forgotten.

-- Sheldon Jones, former copyeditor/editor for Black Enterprise Magazine

I was BLESSED to be a part of the Black Enterprise family for five years. I have so many wonderful memories of my time working for both Mr. Graves Sr. and Jr. Excellence in everything was a must and everyone lived up to the challenge! I remember a time when Mr. Graves had a last minute meeting with a potential client and asked if I would help prepare a presentation for the following morning. I stayed in the office and worked through the night to complete the project in time for the presentation. Why? Although, I was not asked to stay all night, I wanted to go above and beyond - following a standard that Mr. Graves inspired us to set for ourselves and for Black Enterprise. When Mr. Graves arrived the next morning and discovered I had worked throughout the night, he invited me to a Knicks game and a dinner with him, Mrs. Graves, Butch, and Carolyn Odom. Although I wasn’t a big basketball fan at the time, the dinner invitation meant so much to me. I feel proud to tell my children that I worked with one of the greats. Rest In Peace Mr. Graves. Thank you for touching so many lives. Blessings and condolences to the Graves family. I hope you will take comfort in knowing that Mr. Graves is in your future.

Much love,
Donna Allen Lowber
Promotions/Advertising

I'm forever grateful to Mr. Earl G. Graves Sr for guiding me across a 40 year
career in corporate America through his prodigious publications filled with invaluable information relating to business, finance, networking, mentoring, development, and lifelong success. My education at Black Enterprise University started in 1973. The first copy I read left me feeling such respect and admiration for the magazine, I'm still reading to this day.
Mr. Grave afforded me a few dreams come true when I was featured in Black Enterprise's edition "REINVENT YOURSELF the Ultimate Guide to Lifelong Success", and having the honor of meeting him.
Mr. Graves' humanity, greatest, reach, and seeds sowed will proliferate forever. Thank you, Mr. Earl G. Graves Sr.

Earl invited me and a couple of other buddies to go
skiing in New England at a lodge that he had there. in
prior years, the Graves's family went there during for some portion of the ski season. Earl and his
three sons always had a grand time on the slopes. That year, 1990, for whatever reason, the boys' calendars were
full with the things that young men do. Earl was left to
his own devices. He invited me and several others to
join him. We obliged.

That February was very cold. The ski lift was open, not a fancy enclosed cabin, and you got a full blast of that cold
wind. It was so cold that the snot froze on your face. Earl's favorite refrain, "Are we having fun yet." was repeated often during the skin runs. That first or second
night as we settled in to watch some "adult films", with which the lodge was well stocked, a breaking news story
brought everything to a halt: AFTER 27 YEARS IN
PRISON, NELSON MANDELA IS FREED IN SOUTH
AFRICA. .

Where were you and what were doing when Nelson
Mandela was freed, are questions I can always answer
without a moment's hesitation.


Ron Gault

Like many young African Americans growing up in an inner city community in the 1960's and 1970's, I didn't know much about the business world beyond the proprietorships and occasional legal and medical professional offices in my neighborhood. Black Enterprise helped me understand the possibilities in business beyond what little I saw every day. More importantly, Black Enterprise gave me confidence I could take advantage of those opportunities. One of my most memorable moments came shortly after I was named CEO of Darden Restaurants. It was during the photo shoot for a cover article in Black Enterprise. As exciting as the shoot itself was, what is most memorable is that Mr. Graves and his wife Barbara stopped by to visit with me and the others participating in the shoot. I beyond thrilled to meet the man whose confidence in me and my generation inspired me to dream big dreams about what could be accomplished by African Americans in the business world. My deepest sympathies to the Graves family as you mourn your loss. But, know that this is also a time to celebrate one incredible life.

The world has lost a giant. What John H. Johnson did for Black Families with Ebony Magazine, Earl G. Graves did for Black entrepreneurs and executives with Black Enterprise. His vision changed the trajectory of Black businesses and their founders for many generations to come. Over the years, BE's insightful articles, rare photos, and African-American focused advertising captured the game-changing evolution of Black business development. I had the opportunity to share with Mr. Graves (Earl) that I had every issue of BE since 1978 in my office and he smiled and replied, "Hold on to them. That's a valuable collection!" His vast contribution cannot be captured in words. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Graves was an awesome man. I will miss him dearly. Chauffeuring him over the years was always a delight. I looked forward to his in town visits and learned so much from him. Through all of the various events, gatherings and laughs with close family and friends, those beautiful memories will live in my heart forever. RIP Mr. Graves.... we love him but God loves him more. Sorrowfully written....

I worked with Earl for a number of years through the National Black Business Council during the late 1980s. As Chairman of the Board of Directors, Earl hosted the board numerous times in New York, Washington, D. C., Atlanta, GA, and numerous other places as we were seeking to make a difference in the lives of African Americans in this country. Each meeting was another opportunity to enter a record in the journal of lifetime memorable experiences.  He was a natural leader with plenty of vision. I am happy to have served my country as a member of the board of this visionary group under his leadership. - Anita Arnold, Oklahoma City, OK

We have lost a wonderful person, Mr Graves was a great person to work for.
he will be missed by every one. may he rest in peace

Thank you for the inspiration and providing a compass in this big world. Your dream provided the conduit for my dream to become a reality.

My sincere condolences to the Graves' family. 

My first meeting with Mr. Graves, I was fresh out-of-college and a young up-start in the advertising business. I always admired Mr. Graves as an icon, mogul and trailblazer! He inspired me to dream bigger! He truly was a leader in the African American community; and, his deeds, not words, demonstrated just that. 

Rest in peace, Mr. Graves............your legacy will continue to live on..............

I was saddened to learn of the passing of former Ron Brown Scholar Program Board of Trustee member Earl Gilbert Graves Sr. It reminded me of a conversation with another dear departed friend, Holmes Brown, who was a mentor to Mr. Graves when Earl was an energetic and spry young fellow making his way in NYC. Holmes heaped glowing praise on Earl’s brilliance, determination, and extraordinary success as a publisher, philanthropist, and businessman.

Holmes knew that we were looking to form a Ron Brown Board of Trustees and offered to call Earl. To my surprise, Earl called right back. We discussed RBS and set a meeting at Earl’s office in NYC in April 2006. Holmes and I then flew to NYC to make the formal ask of Earl. Upon his acceptance, I knew RBSP would be immediately more credible in the eyes of many and had gained a committed thought partner to drive our expansion.

Mr. Graves made a serious contribution to our Ron Brown Scholar community. RBS 2000 and serial entrepreneur Jason Young recalls reading Black Enterprise in college at Harvard. “For me, it was a beacon of Black Excellence in a white world,” Jason wrote. “In fact, Black Enterprise played a critical role in my own ventures. It was through the magazine that I first became aware of Roger Ferguson, CEO of TIAA. The company would later become my largest client. Mr. Graves' willingness to feature me in Black Enterprise was not only an amazing honor. I believe it was instrumental in my fundraising efforts in the early stages of launching my company.”

Earl Graves’ commitment to the Ron Brown Scholar Program was not only professional but deeply personal. He was lifelong friends with the Program’s namesake, Ron Brown. Ron Brown's daughter and great friend of the Program, Tracey Brown James, recalls that Mr. Graves was like a big brother to Alma Arrington Brown dating back to their childhoods in Brooklyn, New York. The two families remain close to this day.

Sharon Brickhouse Martin, another RBSP Board of Trustee member, recalls the first time she met Mr. Graves: "When I saw the news of Earl's passing, I immediately thought of an RBSP event in NYC. I sat next to Mr. Graves and I remember that he was very attentive; even asking me at several points to repeat what was said since he had a hard time hearing some of the presentations. We ate together and talked about the program during the lunch break. What a pioneer he was to develop Black Enterprise at a time when the notion of black men – or women - in business was still novel."

Earl Graves was a pioneer in trumpeting the opportunity, importance, and success of black entrepreneurs. His success at Black Enterprise and other related businesses demonstrate what a dynamic black leader could aspire to be during a time when there were so few role models. We have lost a giant. Earl Graves changed lives, opinions, and the Ron Brown Scholar Program for the better.

I heard you speak at my niece's graduation from Bethune Cookman University along with Cicely Tyson. The energy in the room was intense because yours words touched us all. You brought Merrill Lynch with you and they hired some of those graduating seniors. What a rich memory. Rest in piece. Sincerely, Roslyn Smith

What a wonderful Life. As I'm sure with all greatness you had your struggles. But by the grace of God you overcame them so others like me would know it's possible. Thank God for your life and may He continue to bless your family.

Years ago, a young African American performer had an endorsement contract with a Fortune 500 corporation whose Board of Directors included Mr. Graves. The performer came under scrutiny following some controversial statements and the corporation wanted to cancel the endorsement contract. Putting into practice his mantra of “Standing in Harm’s Way,” Mr. Graves took a stand and demanded this performer’s deal remain fully intact.

About a year later, the editor’s of Black Enterprise requested an interview and photo shoot with the performer with the goal of producing a cover story for an upcoming issue. The performer and management refused to participate feeling they were too high-profile for an “ethnic” publication like BE. I doubt the performer was ever made aware that it was Earl Graves, the Publisher of that “ethnic” magazine that had saved their mulit-million dollar endorsement deal from the chopping block.

The lesson I will always carry with me is oftentimes you do not know who is working in the background on your behalf. I saw one person that, on principle, went to bat for someone he’d never met. I saw another person look down on an entity they felt they’d “outgrown.”

This was but one of many, many times Mr. Graves used his success and influence to help move us all forward. The corporate boardroom battleground was one of the arena’s in which Mr. Graves thrived. He “Stood in Harm’s Way” making sure African American suppliers get a fair share of corporate contracts, African American executives get the same advancement opportunities as others, and African American communities were not exploited. He “Stood in Harm’s Way” for those who demonstrated a desire to be successful.

To Butch and the family, I am truly saddened by the passing of your father. Mr. Earl G. Graves. I met him decades ago at the Blk Enterprise Conf. in Fl. He was so kind and stopped and talked to me at length about my cosmetics business. I remember his smile, sense of humor and his presence. His encouraging words about the importance of entrepreneurship. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

My warmest sympathies to his family, on the passing of Earl Graves Sr.

Mr. Graves, an icon of U.S. publishing and a champion of black people
and black business success everywhere, was one of my first corporate
catering clients, and my longest term client, from 1989 until his stepping
down from Black Enterprise Magazine and retirement from publishing.

During these years I was privileged to cater Mr. Graves VIP Executive
Luncheons and other corporate events at Black Enterprise headquarters
in Manhattan, as well as private gatherings at the Graves’ residence in
Scarsdale and their weekend home in Sag Harbor.

To Mr. Graves’ entire family and his many, many friends, I offer my
deepest and sincerest condolences.

He will be missed.

Jacqueline

Executive Chef Jacqueline Frazer
Command Performance Catering
New York
t: 646-698-1325
c: 646-852-4646
e; ifrazer.commandcatering@gmail.com
www.commandcatering.com

I was saddened to learn of the passing of our esteemed former colleague on the Board of the Rohm and Haas Company. He was a remarkable man who greatly contributed to our focus on diversity and impact on communities where we had plant locations. I valued his friendship and enjoyed sharing conversations with Earl and Barbara. I always looked forward to his Christmas cards!  The Graves family has my heartfelt sympathy for their profound loss, which is especially sad as it marks the end of an era. Sandy Moose

Earl Graves, Sr., a remarkable man and pioneering entrepreneur, will be remembered and treasured by Archer family for the good-hearted friendship he so generously shared with us.

I am thankful to Earl Sr. and the Graves family for creating an avenue that allowed blacks to see and experience the world of business. If you can see it, you can achieve it! Thank you Earl Sr. for inspiring so many of us to dare to dream of owning and running our own family businesses! 

Well done as a good and faithful servant!