YOUNG, GIFTED, & BLACK™ (YGB) ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS
 

The YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK™ (YGB) Entrepreneurial Awards program was established in 2006 to spotlight everyday individuals who serve as positive role models within their communities. Created to inspire, uplift, and motivate, YGB celebrates the journeys, achievements, and impact of entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers whose contributions often go unrecognized by mainstream media—yet profoundly shape their industries and neighborhoods.
 

At its core, YGB is a platform for recognition and appreciation. The program exists to highlight accomplishments, honor perseverance, and acknowledge the influence recipients have among their peers and the communities they serve. By sharing real stories of resilience, innovation, and progress, YGB reinforces the belief that excellence is not limited by background, access, or circumstance.
 

Origins of the Awards

The origins of the YGB Entrepreneurial Awards trace back to a grassroots marketing initiative aimed at revitalizing business at the Blue Mahoe Restaurant in New York City—once one of the city’s premier Caribbean dining destinations during the late 1980s and 1990s. Business partners Carl Gray, President & CEO of The NetLinkz Group, Inc., and Kenny “Suga Bear” Groves of Word of Mouth Entertainment, sought to attract new patrons through a weekly cultural event known as
One Luv Wednesdays.
 

During Black History Month, the event evolved into a weekly tribute series recognizing excellence, influence, and achievement across culture, education, and entrepreneurship:
 

• Week 1: Honored Robert Nesta Marley, whose birthday falls on February 6, in recognition of his enduring global impact on reggae music.

• Week 2: Celebrated Coretta Scott King for her pivotal role in history and as a tribute to the strength and leadership of women of color.

• Week 3: Highlighted Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Pan-Hellenic Greek Fraternal Organizations, Black Ivy institutions, CUNY and SUNY universities, as well as the “School of Hard Knocks” for those who achieved success without formal higher education.

• Week 4: Offered an impromptu recognition of everyday entrepreneurs who continue to make meaningful progress in their personal and professional endeavors.

 

This final week became the catalyst for what would grow into the YGB Entrepreneurial Awards.
 

Philosophy and Impact

From the beginning, YGB operated without rigid criteria. Recognition was rooted in dedication, achievement, progress, and purpose. Founder Carl Gray emphasized honoring the full journey of each recipient—from where they started, to where they stand today, and where they aspire to go. As he noted, many individuals make a profound impact within their industries and communities without ever receiving public recognition—YGB exists to change that narrative.
 

Since its founding, more than 300 entrepreneurs and leaders have been recognized through the
YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK™ Entrepreneurial Awards, creating a growing network of honorees whose stories continue to inspire future generations.
 

Expanding the Mission: Preparing the Next Generation

Building on nearly two decades of trust, leadership, and community impact, YGB has expanded its mission beyond recognition to opportunity creation and pipeline development. Through initiatives such as the Digital Equity & Entrepreneurial Program (DEEP), YGB now invests directly in preparing underserved urban youth with the skills, confidence, mentorship, and exposure needed to succeed in a technology-driven economy.
 

DEEP reflects YGB’s belief that visibility and preparation must go hand in hand. By combining culturally responsive education, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and public recognition, YGB continues to honor excellence while actively cultivating the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
 

Today, the YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK™ Entrepreneurial Awards stands as both a celebration of achievement and a commitment to the future—recognizing those who lead today while empowering those who will lead tomorrow.