Entrepreneur of the Month

Earl Graves
July 11, 2007

Earl Graves, a Brooklynite, Green Beret, and former aide to Senator Robert Kennedy, founded Black Enterprise magazine in 1970. His publication both recognized the expanding financial power of the black community and helped spur its growth. Black Enterprise now boasts a paid circulation of half a million and has been profitable since its 10th issue.

Graves also ran the $60 million Washington (D.C.) - area Pepsi-Cola franchise from 1990 to 1998. At the time, it was the largest minority-owned Pepsi franchise in the U.S. Graves remains active in Pepsi. His best-selling book, How to Succeed in Business Without Being White (1997), provides a framework for black professionals and business owners based on Graves' own life.