Earl G. Graves Sr. (1935-2020)

Earl G. Graves, the founder of Black Enterprise, a nationally recognized black business magazine, was born on January 9, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York. Both his mother, Winifred Sealy, and his father, Earl Godwyn Graves, influenced their son’s successful career. His mother led many community activities, and his father was … Read MoreEarl G. Graves Sr. (1935-2020)

C. Payne Lucas (1933– )

“Image Ownership: Dudley M. Brooks/Washington Post” C. Payne Lucas, who co-founded Africare in 1970, established the largest and oldest predominately African American non-governmental organization (NGO). Since its founding, Africare has invested over $1 billion development-related projects in thirty-five African nations.  Lucas has spent half a … Read MoreC. Payne Lucas (1933– )

John Wendell Thompson (1949– )

“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Born April 24, 1949, to working-class parents in Fort Dix, New Jersey, John Wendell Thompson climbed the high-tech world’s business ranks from entry level sales to executive positions at International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and Symantec Corporation for a combined forty … Read MoreJohn Wendell Thompson (1949– )