The Black Enterprise annual Golf & Tennis Challenge has become a favorite place for many of the country’s highest ranking corporate leaders and successful business owners to spend their final days of summer relaxation before settling in for the fall & winter days ahead. With daily golf and tennis lessons available, it’s a great place to learn either sport if you aren’t already skilled in it. This years event is taking place in Carlsbad , CA at the very swanky LaCosta Resort.
Most people think of the benefits of being a Fortune 1000 executive, but few consider the daily pressures of having to prove yourself in corporate environments that allow very few missteps and will send you packing if you make the wrong mistake. Thus, the need for this event where relaxation and fun are top of mind. Even the networking that takes place seems to be at a more casual and personal level than the usual quick card exchanges that take place at most conferences. This year marks BE’s 40th anniversary and founder Earl Graves discussed the role that BE has played over the years, in not just reporting on Black business, but in being able to supply relevant business intelligence to actually help those businesses grow to the next level. He also spoke of the important roles his sons have played and continue to play as the company continues to grow as a multi-dimensional media conglomerate.
The theme of the Friday night entertainment was the 80’s and El DeBarge, MC Lyte, Doug E Fresh and Big Daddy Kane all brought the old school sounds that rocked the entire ballroom. After an outstanding performance by El DeBarge of his old hits and his new single “Second Chance,” Doug E Fresh took over. The party was on as he brought out MC Lyte, then Big Daddy Kane in succession. The dance floor got packed immediately and stayed that way until they turned the lights on and started cleaning up the ballroom.
