BLACK ENTERPRISE "BE Modern Man": A Movement Honoring Everyday Diverse Men of Color

NEW YORK, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- BLACK ENTERPRISE is recognizing and honoring the accomplishments of today's men of color across the globe through the annual BE Modern Man interactive campaign. Now in its second year, BE Modern Man provides weekly features of today's leaders, executives, creatives, students, politicians, entrepreneurs, professionals, and agents of change. We are highlighting what these extraordinary men share in common: the drive to set a high bar in their professional industries, communities, and beyond.

BLACK ENTERPRISE is spotlighting 100 diverse men of color (African American, Latino/Hispanic, African, Caribbean, Asian, etc.) who are doing exceptional work within their communities, industries, and/or globally.

Beginning this month, and over the next several weeks, we are introducing our second cohort of 100 BE Modern Men. These individuals were selected from the hundreds of nominations from the BLACK ENTERPRISE audience. In the weeks to come, you'll find that our 2016 BE Modern Men are every bit as impressive as our inaugural group, and arguably more so.

"The need for BE Modern Man is both urgent and obvious, as mainstream media persistently relegates the narrative of men of color to a limited number of dimensional personas: athletes, entertainers, victim, or perpetrator," says Black Enterprise President and CEO Earl "Butch" Graves. "With BE Modern Man, we both challenge and change that status quo, by introducing and elevating those who represent the truth and diversity of who we are as black men."

To date, BLACK ENTERPRISE has spotlighted 15 diverse men of color who are doing exceptional work within their communities, industries, and/or globally, including Christopher Chauncey Watson, André Hueston Mack, and Andre Kay, along with the BE Modern Man Ambassadors Laz Alonso, Actor and Philanthropist; Obi Asika, Chairman and Founder Social Media Week Lagos; Shawn Dove, CEO, Campaign for Black Male Achievement and The New York Times best-selling author, Trabian Shorters.

In preparation for the campaign, BLACK ENTERPRISE, along with the Hilton Worldwide Hotel and Prudential, Black Enterprise launched the BE Modern Man Tour, a live discussion series and networking reception focused on the accomplishments, challenges, and goals of men of color. The first stop on the tour, will be in Atlanta on June 14^th. The BE Modern Man Tour will also be hosed in New York city in July and Washington, D.C. in September.

"With BE Modern Man, the world is able to champion the major accomplishments of men of color and celebrate the strides they have made in industries such as technology, travel and more," says Andréa Richardson, Director Multicultural & Diversity Marketing for Hilton Worldwide. "We see this partnership as the perfect alignment of like minds, Hilton, with our rich history as pioneers in the hospitality industry, supporting our team members, guests, and partners; and Black Enterprise, with its history as a media pioneer, supporting, spotlighting and uplifting minority businesses."

For updates, visit www.blackenterprise.com/BEModernMan and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or search the #BEModernMan hashtag. 

BLACK ENTERPRISE, your ultimate source to build Wealth for Life, is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, BE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Every month, BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine provides 6 million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. A multimedia company, BE also produces television programming, business and lifestyle events, Web content, and digital media. Visit www.blackenterprise.com for more information.

SOURCE BLACK ENTERPRISE