Earl G. and Barbara Graves: Earl G. Graves Ltd. (Black Enterprise).
Earl G. Graves Sr. and his wife Barbara, created a newsletter that gave birth in 1970 to Black Enterprise magazine, the first publication devoted to African-American entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Earl G. Graves, Ltd served as the holding company for Earl G. Graves Associates Management Consulting and Earl G. Graves Publishing. Today, under CEO Earl “Butch†Graves Jr., Earl G. Graves Ltd is a $25.5 million media empire that encompasses publishing, digital, and events arms, including the Entrepreneurs Summit, Golf & Tennis Challenge, and Women of Power Summit, co-founded in 2005 by Barbara, who held major positions at Black Enterprise
from editorial director to chief financial officer. Other events include the African American Festival and American Black Film Festival, while broadcast properties include the Women of Power television series and the syndicated show Our World With Black Enterprise. The firm also co-owns the Black Enterprise Greenwich Street Corporate Growth Private Equity Fund.