Mellody Hobson honored with the Barbara Graves Award

Businesswoman Mellody Hobson received the esteemed Barbara Graves Award BLACK ENTERPRISESannual Women in Power Summit. Hobson was honored at an event held over Easter weekend.

Hobson serves as president and co-CEO of Ariel Investment Trust, considered one of the nation’s largest Black-owned asset management firms. TO BECompany CEO Earl “Butch” Graves Jr. helped present the award to Hobson.

“A woman whose passionate vision helped launch the Women of Power Summit, and whose high standards and expectations continue to inform today,” Graves Jr. explained. about the award named after his mother. “And her indomitable spirit still breathes it. She lives through our company, where the majority of leadership positions are held by women… and she absolutely lives through this event, where her powerful legacy lives on just as much.”

After a presentation on the Graves matriarch, Alva Adams-Mason took the stage to focus on Hobson’s profession.

“(Hobson’s) journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most recognizable and influential business voices in the country truly illustrates an American success story,” said Adams-Mason, group manager of the Multicultural Business Alliance and Dealer Relations at Toyota Motor North America. “Through her relentless focus on business, she has become a leader and role model for others, and has used her influence and status to make a positive impact on society, particularly by increasing financial empowerment, expanding educational opportunities and promoting diversity.”

Hobson’s history was also highlighted, including her upbringing on Chicago’s South Side and subsequent success in the financial industry. She later appeared on stage to just accept the Graves Award for her contributions to the advancement of black women in business.

“I’m very honored by this,” Hobson said. “As you understand, this conference is a celebration of ladies in power. This really got me considering… at the starting of many ladies’s careers, they do not consider themselves as powerful. They imagine that power – and I’m often told this, or perhaps I feel this manner – comes from money, fame and achievement. But I imagine that irrespective of who you’re and wherever you’re, you’ve power. Always.”

Her acceptance speech touched on the concept of power. She mentioned that Rosa Parks, who seemingly had little power, was in a position to move mountains for the women following her. The 54-year-old stressed that the power of black women must be taken calmly, but that the keys to success are trust, confidants and compassion.

Hobson concluded: “This recognition means quite a bit to me. I’m stuffed with gratitude, I’m stuffed with appreciation and inspiration. And I actually have to let you know, it’s a robust feeling.