Earl G. Graves Sr., founder of BLACK ENTERPRISE (BE), has named Earl "Butch" Graves Jr. as the company's new Chief Executive Officer and President. Butch Graves' appointment to the rank of CEO marks a milestone for the family-owned media company, whose flagship publication provides more than 3.7 million readers with information on African American business markets, financial management, entrepreneurship, and careers.

"Graves' promotion to CEO represents the transition of Earl G. Graves Ltd., parent company of BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine, to the next generation of leadership. Earl Graves Sr., who will remain Chairman and Publisher, founded the company in 1970 – establishing its mission to become the premier business news source for African Americans," said a company spokesperson. 

"Those who advance at Earl G. Graves Ltd. -- whether family or not -- must earn their positions," said Earl G. Graves Sr. "Over the past 17 years Butch has excelled despite the challenges of an ultracompetitive and rapidly changing publishing industry. In 1988 BE had revenues of approximately $20 million. In 2006 we project that those revenues will exceed $60 million. As we have expanded our company, Butch's business acumen and instincts have helped triple our revenue. Under the next generation of executive management, Butch will continue to lead the strategic positioning of the corporation, guide its overall profitability, and act as the top editorial decision maker."

"I am excited about the opportunity to succeed my father as CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE," said Butch Graves. "My mission is to build upon the success of what he established, while finding new media outlets that will grow our business and demonstrate all things possible to our core audience."

About Butch Graves
Since joining BE in 1988, Butch Graves has helped transform the company from a single-magazine publisher to a thriving multimedia conglomerate. Under his guidance, the circulation of BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine grew from 200,000 to more than 500,000, due in part to an intense editorial focus on wealth building and home ownership. He led the company into broadcast media with the launch of The Black Enterprise Report, a nationally syndicated television show, and Black Enterprise Magazine's Keys to a Better Life report for radio, a joint venture with Clear Channel Communications. Additionally Graves initiated the development of blackenterprise.com, a Web site that enables users to access information and make financial and business transactions. He created the concept of the company's private equity firm, Black Enterprise/Greenwich Street Corporate Growth Partners, which primarily invests in established, minority-owned businesses, and he championed the development of BE's signature business and lifestyle events.

Butch Graves received his B.A. in economics from Yale University in 1984, where he distinguished himself both academically and athletically. As a four-year starter and captain of the Yale basketball team, he became the school's all-time leading scorer, and finished his college career as the second-leading scorer in Ivy League history. He was drafted in the third round by the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers in 1984 and enjoyed a brief professional basketball career. After earning his M.B.A. from Harvard University, he joined BE as vice president of advertising and marketing. In 1991, he was promoted to senior vice president of advertising and marketing; and in 1995, he was named executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was promoted to president of the company in 1998.

Inducted into the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Hall of Achievement in November 2002, Butch Graves was also awarded the AAF Jack Averett Volunteer Spirit Award. He currently serves on the board of directors of AutoZone, Inc. Additionally he sits on a number of not-for-profit boards, including Channel Thirteen/WNET New York, the Magazine Publishers of America, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, and the Michael J. Berkeley Foundation –a charity established to memorialize the life of Berkeley, who died Sept. 11, 2001.

Throughout its 35-year history, BLACK ENTERPRISE has never deviated from its mission to highlight African American business accomplishments while encouraging the establishment and success of minority-owned enterprises. Under the next generation of leadership, which includes brothers John C. Graves and Michael A. Graves serving in executive leadership positions, BE will continue to provide essential information to assist African Americans in the pursuit of their economic, professional, and personal goals.