Earl G. Graves Sr., founder of Black Enterprise and former Pepsi Cola CEO, died Monday at the age of 85.
His son and current Black Enterprise CEO, Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., confirmed the death on Twitter and revealed that his father had a “long battle with Alzheimer’s.”
At 9:22pm this evening, April 6, my Father and Hero Earl Graves Sr., the Founder of @blackenterprise, passed away quietly after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. I loved and admired this giant of a man, and am blessed to be his namesake. LOVE YOU DAD! pic.twitter.com/UoerizfX8a
— . (@EarlButchGraves) April 7, 2020
Graves launched Black Enterprise in 1970 to show Black people and entrepreneurs “how to thrive professionally, economically and as proactive, empowered citizens,” he wrote in his 1997 book How to Succeed in Business Without Being White. The magazine continues to cover Black businesses and teach business strategies to its four million readers, as of 2019, reports CNN.
Graves created a media empire, founding Earl G. Graves, Ltd., the parent company of Earl G. Graves Publishing Company, which produces Black Enterprise. Graves remained chairman of the company, while Graves Jr. took on the role of CEO in 2006.
Black Enterprise also shared the news of Graves’s death on Twitter.
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
