Stedman Graham to Receive 2020 Horatio Alger Award

Stedman Graham to Receive 2020 Horatio Alger Award

Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, recently announced that, Stedman Graham, Chairman and CEO, S. Graham & Associates (SGA), has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization.

Graham joins 13 other exceptional business, civic and cultural leaders from across North America in receiving 2020 honors. For more than 70 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals who have succeeded despite facing adversities, and who have remained committed to higher education and charitable efforts in their communities.

Born in Whitesboro, New Jersey, Graham was the third born of six children, two of whom had special needs. His father was a house painter and his mother stayed at home with the children during the day, working long nights.

Graham attended Hardin-Simmons University on a basketball scholarship and became the first member of his family to finish college in 1974. Aft er completing his bachelor’s degree in social work, he received a master’s degree in education from Ball State University.

Since that time, he has received three honorary doctorates. Graham also served in the U.S. Army and played professional basketball in the European League.

Graham began his career at B&C Associates, a strategic consulting firm founded by Robert J. Brown in 1960. Brown is a pioneer in multi- cultural communications, crisis management and race relations representing several of America’s largest companies.

B&C is the oldest minority-owned public relations and consulting firm in the country. Graham’s early work at the company was focused on South Africa. Years later, Graham founded S. Graham & Associates, his own marketing and consulting company based in Chicago specializing in identity leadership training for corporate and education markets.

SGA offers keynotes, seminars and curriculum on the topic of identity leadership. He is the author of 12 books including several New York Times bestsellers. His most recent book, Identity Leadership, is based on the philosophy that you cannot lead others until you lead yourself.

Actively involved in education, Graham currently travels domestically and internationally as a distinguished visiting professor for various universities, schools and colleges. Throughout his career, he has built a strong reputation in helping corporations, organizations and individuals succeed.

“Stedman Graham’s life’s work has inspired and encouraged thousands of young men and women to strive to understand who they are and create an identity for themselves,” said Terrence J. Giroux, executive director, Horatio Alger Association. “Through his widely read books, powerful speeches and many acts of generosity, he demonstrates for us all how to live in service to others. We look forward to welcoming Stedman as a Member.”

Graham is passionate about developing leaders and lif ing up underserved communities. In 1985, he founded Athletes Against Drugs (AAD), which provides health, fitness and sports curriculum for youth. AAD is based on Chicago but has programming around the country in coordination with various teams and athletes.

In 1986, at a charity event, Graham met Oprah Winfrey. The two have been together ever since. Graham also established the Leadership Institute of Chicago to empower young people to become strong leaders and serves on various boards, including Junior Achievement.

“I have witnessed the extraordinary work of the Horatio Alger Association for many years,” said Graham. “As a new Member of this organization, I hope to utilize the lessons I have learned throughout my life to teach Scholars how to understand who they are through identity leadership principles, which are based on the philosophy that you cannot lead others until you first lead yourself. I look forward to working with the Association to empower young people to create a better America.”

Thanks to the generosity of its Members, the Association awards need-based scholarships to outstanding high school students who are committed to pursuing higher education and giving back to their communities. The Association also educates young people about the limitless opportunities afforded to them by the free-enterprise system through hard work, honesty and determination.

Like Association Members, Horatio Alger Scholars have faced significant adversities, but have also displayed unmatched resilience in overcoming their challenges. Since the scholarship program was established in 1984, the Horatio Alger Association has provided more than $180 million to 27,000 students in need, all of which has been funded solely through the generosity of Association Members and friends.

Graham and the Member Class of 2020 will be formally inducted into the Association on April 2-4, 2020, during the Association’s 73rd Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. Th e annual three-day event honors the achievements of both Members and National Scholars, affording both groups the opportunity to meet and interact as well as exchange stories of hardships and triumphs.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its Member Class of 2020, please visit www.horatioalger.org and follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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