Update Ft. Earl G. Graves
This weekend, I participated in my second honors retreat. This would be my third retreat, but we weren't able to have a retreat last year due to the global pandemic. The Honors Program leadership retreat is a place to develop yourself while collaborating with other like minded individuals. We participate in challenging team building activities, open discussions, and we listen to presentations given by accomplished individuals. The presentations are always very insightful and they really stimulate self evaluation.
This retreat was different from my first one for a few reasons. First, I serve in a leadership capacity within the program now, so I was able to help prepare and organize for the retreat. It was cool to see things from a different point of view. I now have a new appreciation for the work that goes into planning events that people come to enjoy. Second, this retreat allowed more opportunities to be vulnerable, and share about previous hardships. This was beneficial for not only myself, but everyone else on the retreat as well. Thirdly, it allowed me to step away from my daily schedule and breathe a little. I’m a very busy guy so it was great to disconnect.
This week, I had the pleasure of being exposed to Earl G. Graves. He was an entrepreneur, publisher, businessman, philanthropist, and advocate of African-American businesses. He attended Morgan State University and served in the army for two years. Mr. Graves found his claim to fame in a few different ways. He was the founder of black enterprise magazine. He started this publication in 1970, the year my father was born. This publication ended up being recognized as the definitive resource for African American business professionals, entrepreneurs. Graves was also named one of the ten most outstanding minority businessmen in the country by the President of the United States. These are just a few achievements of many that Mr. Graves was able to accomplish
I have reached out to a graphic designer to work on a flyer for the HistoryMakers digital archive contest. I am very excited to see the outcome of her work. I believe that with great preparation, the contest can be a huge success! I will put it on the blog as soon as it is completed.
