← B.E. 40th ANNIVERSARY COVER GALLERY

nd-1985-JULY

By Alfred Edmond, Jr. | Published August 8, 2010 | Full size is 500 × 320 pixels

Our July 1985 cover subject Henry “Hank” Aaron no longer hit homeruns from the baseball field but sought to score in the front office as the Atlanta Braves’ vice president and director of player development – at that time, baseball’s highest-ranking African American executive. Aaron was the rare exception when came to black ascension within the executive ranks of professional sports. In fact, the lack of such representation in the front offices was considered “an embarrassment” to baseball, basketball and football leagues. Such reports, in part, led to present-day diversity efforts. As for the future appearance of Aaron on BLACK ENTERPRISE cover – the June 2004 issue when his successful dealerships made him BE Auto Dealer of the Year.

Our July 1985 cover subject Henry “Hank” Aaron no longer hit homeruns from the baseball…