William and Julia Boyd separated while Granville was still young and, together with her elder sister who was about eighteen months older, she was brought up in the African American community in Washington, D.C by her mother. Julia Boyd's sister also played a big part in Granville's upbringing and, being more academically inclined that Granville's mother, she strongly influenced and encouraged Granville in that direction.
William at Julia Boyd habang separated Granville ay bata pa rin at, kasama ang kanyang ate na ay tungkol sa labing-walo buwan mas matanda, siya ay nagdala ng hanggang sa ang African American community sa Washington, DC sa pamamagitan ng kanyang ina. Julia Boyd's kapatid na babae din nilalaro ng isang malaking bahagi sa Granville ng pag-aalaga at, na mas academically hilig na Granville ng ina, siya Matindi ang naiimpluwensyahan at hinihikayat Granville sa na direksyon.