[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 80 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E920-E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BARBARA GRAVES

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JESSE L. JACKSON, JR.

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, everyone is familiar with the 
saying that behind every good man is a good woman. I rise today to note 
that there is probably no person who exemplifies that homily more than 
Barbara Kydd Graves--the wife of Black Enterprise Magazine's founder, 
chairman, and publisher Earl G. Graves, Sr.--who died this week and 
will be laid to rest on Saturday, June 2.
  Mrs. Graves was not only a good wife and the family matriarch, but 
she was also a major guiding light of Black Enterprise with her quiet 
strength, inspiration, and caring personality.

[[Page E921]]

Mrs. Graves died at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC after 
a three-year battle with gall bladder cancer at the age of 75.
  As Black Enterprise itself acknowledges, ``she played a vital role in 
the growth and development of the publication and media company, and 
its mission of economic empowerment and wealth building for African 
Americans.''
  ``Since the launching of the Black Enterprise Magazine in 1970, 
Barbara Graves, an alumna of Brooklyn College and a former elementary 
school teacher, held every major position, including editorial 
director, circulation director and chief financial officer, during the 
40 plus-year history of this company. Along the way, she is credited 
with grooming and developing several generations of executive 
leadership, including sons Earl Jr., Johnny and Michael, all of whom 
have worked as executives at Black Enterprise. Mrs. Graves also co-
founded and guided the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit, the 
premier networking event and conference for women executives of 
color.''
  Her son, Earl Graves, Jr., president and CEO of Black Enterprise, 
testified to how special his mother was: ``My mother was a steadfast 
and loving partner and counselor to my father; his quiet source of 
strength and inspiration. She served as mentor and guide to several 
generations of employees, managers and professionals. Above all, she 
genuinely cared for every member of the Black Enterprise family, and 
held a special passion for children and young people in particular.''
  Mrs. Graves' funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., to be preceded 
by a public viewing from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, June 2, at 
Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, NY.

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