by Krystal Franklin

April 7, 2020

Photo by Vallery Jean/FilmMagic

Earl G. Graves Sr., the founder and publisher of Black Enterprise, died Monday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was 85.

It is with profound sadness that we share news of the passing of Black Enterprise Founder Earl G. Graves Sr. earlier this evening, April 6, at the age of 85. We will evermore celebrate his life and legacy, in this, our 50th Anniversary Year, and beyond. pic.twitter.com/N7aall81gb

— Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise) April 7, 2020

Graves famously founded the country’s first black-owned magazine that focused on black entrepreneurs in 1970. The Morgan State alumni lived a prominent and successful life, and was “named by Fortune as one of the 50 most powerful and influential African Americans in corporate America and won a U.S. Army Commendation Award as a former member of the Green Berets.”

In his book, How To Succeed In Business, Without Being White Graves felt the need more than ever to create what would go on to be the authority on Black business models. “The time was ripe for a magazine devoted to economic development in the African American community,” he wrote. “The publication was committed to the task of educating, inspiring and uplifting its readers. My goal was to show them how to thrive professionally, economically and as proactive, empowered citizens.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Graves family.

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