by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors
March 11, 2026
Graves closed by asking attendees to think about how historical past will choose right now’s second.
Earl “Butch” Graves Jr. delivered a pointed name to motion throughout his opening remarks on the 2026 Legacy Awards Gala, marking the twentieth anniversary of the BLACK ENTERPRISE Girls of Energy Summit.
Addressing a room of executives, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders, Graves celebrated twenty years of honoring Black ladies’s management whereas warning that the present local weather threatens hard-won progress.
“It’s my honor and pleasure to welcome you to the Legacy Awards Gala for our 20-year milestone of the one and solely Girls of Energy Summit,” Graves stated. “At Black Enterprise, we are going to all the time rejoice the persistence, creativity, dedication, diligence, genius, integrity and religion we draw upon to succeed daily of our lives.”
However the president and CEO of BE stated the second calls for greater than celebration. Graves famous that the broader surroundings has grown more and more hostile to the ambitions of Black People—notably Black ladies within the workforce.
“We can’t ignore the truth that the present surroundings has change into undeniably hostile to the ambitions of Black individuals—and particularly Black ladies,” Graves stated. “Greater than 300,000 Black ladies grew to become unemployed or left the workforce between February and July 2025 alone.”
The Legacy Awards acknowledge the achievements of outstanding ladies whose careers have reshaped industries and opened doorways for future generations. Among the many figures highlighted within the occasion’s commemorative journal are trailblazers akin to former Xerox CEO and chairman Ursula Burns, legendary singer Dionne Warwick and former White Home senior adviser Valerie Jarrett.
Graves framed the second as a take a look at of management throughout company America.
“To these of you on boards and in govt suites, no matter your race or gender: you realize what is going on is unsuitable on your shareholders, staff and clients,” he stated. “It’s unacceptable to be current however silent. Silence equals complicity.”
He urged executives to talk out in opposition to the rising backlash focusing on variety, fairness and alternative initiatives.
“It’s time so that you can rise up and communicate up and say: sufficient,” Graves stated.
The summit’s mission, he emphasised, extends past recognition ceremonies and networking alternatives. Graves challenged attendees to view their affect by the lens of generational duty.
“These extraordinary instances require extraordinary ladies—and extraordinary motion,” he stated. “What we do right here is about greater than being current. It’s about doubling down on the aim and mission of the Girls of Energy Summit.”
Graves closed by asking attendees to think about how historical past will choose right now’s second.
“Sooner or later your grandchildren will ask what you have been doing throughout this time of backlash in opposition to variety and equal alternative in America,” he stated. “Will you don’t have anything to supply—or will you may have used your voice, exercised your affect and brought a stand?”
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