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. The initiative aims to inspire and motivate others by showcasing the achievements and journeys of these exemplary figures.
 

At its core, the YGB Entrepreneurial Awards program is a platform for recognition—designed to highlight accomplishments, celebrate contributions, and express appreciation for the impact recipients have made among their peers.
 

The program’s origins can be traced to a marketing initiative intended to help revitalize business at the Blue Mahoe Restaurant in New York City, once regarded as one of the premier Caribbean dining establishments during the late 1980s and 1990s. The campaign sought to attract new patrons to the restaurant. Business partners Carl Gray, President & CEO of The NetLinkz Group, Inc., and Kenny “Suga Bear” Groves of Word of Mouth Entertainment, saw an opportunity to draw an audience by launching a weekly event titled One Luv Wednesdays, which ultimately laid the foundation for the awards program.

 

During Black History Month, each week featured a special tribute recognizing the contributions and influence of notable individuals or groups:
 

• 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.

 

There were no formal criteria established for granting the award beyond recognizing an individual’s dedication to success, notable accomplishments, and significant achievements. Carl Gray sought to highlight each recipient’s journey—from their origins, to their current position, and toward their future aspirations. He expressed that “there are many individuals in our lives who do not receive formal recognition or public attention in the media, yet they make a profound impact within their respective industries.”

 

Since 2006, Carl Gray has produced the YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK™ (YGB) Entrepreneurial Awards program, recognizing and honoring more than 300 outstanding entrepreneurs.