Earl Graves honored at Cambridge College

Serghino René

Cambridge College celebrated its commencement ceremony last weekend at the waterfront’s Bank of America Pavilion. This year’s keynote speaker was Earl G. Graves Sr., founder and publisher of Black Enterprise magazine — a business publication targeted towards black professionals, executives, entrepreneurs and policy makers in the public and private sector. The College honored Graves, a nationally recognized authority on black business development, with a doctor of human letters honorary degree.

Graves’ presence was quite fitting for the occasion, not only because Fortune magazine named him as one of the 50 most powerful and influential African Americans in corporate America, but also because Black Enterprise and Cambridge College are celebrating their 35th anniversaries together.

Call it coincidence if you will, but Graves begs to differ.

“Black Enterprise and Cambridge College are products of a unique time in our nation’s history — a time when doors of opportunity were opening [for] Americans who traditionally had been denied full access to its promise of liberty and equal opportunity.”

Normally, Graves would ask graduates to stand up in honor of their parents and recognize the many sacrifices that were made. Instead, given that Cambridge College is a school for working adults, he asked for children and grandchildren, spouses and parents to stand up in honor of the graduates.

Many of the graduates have a life already in full swing, complete with children, or have been out of school for more than 20 years. Graves had something in common with them, considering that he began publishing Black Enterprise in his late thirties. In reflecting on his decision to start Black Enterprise, he made a connection with the graduates.

“The chance to publish Black Enterprise came at a time in my life when I was already married with three kids to support,” said Graves. “With three fast-growing sons to feed, I had to figure out my next move.”

Graves was an administrative assistant to Senator Robert F. Kennedy from 1965 to 1968. It was after Kennedy’s assassination that he developed his own consulting firm that advised corporations on urban affairs and economic development.

In 1970, he founded Black Enterprise. The magazine began turning a profit in its tenth issue, and profits have steadily continued to rise ever since.

“I could have listened to doubters. I could have given up on my dream,” said Graves. “But I knew that the spirit of the times [was] on my side.”

When asked what is the greatest challenge facing African Americans today, he did not hesitate before saying, “Our young African American men.”

According to Urban Institute statistics, only half of African American men between the ages of 16 and 24 that are not in school are working. Roughly one-third of young African American men are in jail or prison, or on parole or probation, at any given time. And ten percent of young African American men have been disconnected from school and work for more than a year.

“There’s no one out there for our ‘sistas’ to marry,” said Graves during an interview. “Minority women are graduating from the same schools that our men are, but at a much larger rate.”

Graves continued, “It’s important for [African Americans] to know that having an education is the key to advancement. The degree today is almost equivalent to what the high school diploma was years ago. Standards are rising and the challenges are greater.”

Recently, Graves was inducted in the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, where he joins such luminaries as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall and Rosa Parks.

Other honorary degree recipients included:

Sheila Crump Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), CEO of Salamander Hospitality and the first female African American owner-partner in three professional sports franchises. Johnson made an appearance despite having to attend a WNBA game for the Washington Mystics at 4 p.m.

“I say I’m in my productive retirement,” Johnson said.

As a philanthropist, she has given a significant amount to children’s charities, and has served as an advocate on behalf of the International Center of Exploited Children, where she has helped to introduce legislation to protect children and support tougher sanctions on those convicted of child-related crime.

“Children are our future and that time is coming at a rapid rate,” said Johnson. “Education is the key.”

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, currently serving her eighth term in Washington, was the first female chair for the Equal Opportunity Commission appointed by former President Jimmy Carter. She is also a tenured law professor and board member for three Fortune 500 companies.

Carl F. Barron, founder of Putman Furniture Leasing Company, Central Square Business Association and Cambridge Property Owners Association, is a local Cambridge icon. He has received several honors for his work with the community.

“I help people help themselves,” says Barron.