EP #60: Dear White Friend with Melvin Gravely, II PART 1

Lisa is solo today and is joined by Melvin Gravely, II to talk
about his book, Dear White Friend: The Realities of Race, the
Power of Relationships and Our Path to Equity.  


This part 1 of a series of interviews with Mr.
Gravely. 

Mel Gravely is the majority owner and CEO of a commercial
construction company in Cincinnati, Ohio. As one of the largest
construction companies in the region, it is a consistent member
of the Deloitte 100 list of the largest privately owned
companies.

An active business and civic leader who has chaired the board of
the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce, Gravely served on
the board of the United Way, was a founding board member of the
Cincinnati Regional Economic Development Initative (REDI
Cincinnati), and vice chairperson of Artswave, the largest
community arts fund in the nation.

He co-chaired the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, a group
of 100 middle market CEOs working collectively toward meaningful
civic action. He is also a board member of several private
companies.

Gravely earned a BS in Computer Science from Mount Union
University, an MBA from Kent State University, and a Ph.D. from
the Union Institute and University. He has written eight business
books. He is the father of three adult children and married to
Chandra (Webb) Gravely. They have one granddaughter.


Book description: 


My friend, I do not believe you are a racist.


Melvin Gravely eloquently accomplishes what many have undoubtedly
wished to do: talk openly to someone we know about race in the
United States today. Gravely uses significant experience as a
business and civic leader to express a rare balance in this
timely message. Dear White Friend is a forthright, collegial
conversation via chapters in the form of letters, each with a
combination of personal reflection and meaningful hard facts.
Gravely challenges the reader but without judgment or indictment.
His depth of thought, deftness of expression, and clear, layman’s
terms make for an urgent call to begin to close the gap between
races in America. The book presents an invitation to understand
three questions at the heart of the issue: What is really going
on with race in our country? Why must we care? And what can we do
about it together? In the end, Gravely calls on us to ask
ourselves, “What is my role in all of this?” After reading Dear
White Friend, readers will understand why their answer to his
question can change everything.