But I offer the information here to shine a light on your path, as well as the encouraging advice of many African-American professionals who have gone before you and succeeded in spite of the racist hatred and ignorance that continue to taint our society. Graves is an internationally recognized authority on entrepreneurship and black business development. He is president and chief executive officer of Earl G. Graves Ltd., parent corporation of Black Enterprise magazine. Haas Corp. Graves was an administrative assistant to the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy from 1965 to 1968. After the senator's assassination, Graves formed his own management consultant firm to advise corporations on urban affairs and economic development.
Graves is an advocate of higher education and equal opportunity.
In 1995, his alma mater, Morgan State University in Baltimore, honored him by renaming its school of business and management the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management. Graves has received a number of honors and awards for his years of public service and philanthropy as well as for his business acumen. He is a member of the National Black College Hall of Fame. The lecture series was made possible by a gift from Anderson and Patricia Chandler, Topeka. The series was established to bring nationally and internationally known speakers to KU for a public lecture, classroom appearances and interaction with students.