It’s quite remarkable that former NFL star Eugene A. Profit has managed to evade our cultural radar for so many years. Especially when you take inventory of his illustrious, if not spectacular, business pedigree and portfolio.
Check this out: The Yale University graduate’s company, Profit Investment Management, has mushroomed from its fledgling $100,000 embryonic stage into an internationally renowned corporation boasting $2 billion in assets under management. Profit has been spotlighted in a multiplicity of platforms in financial media, including CNBC, Businessweek, Smart Money, Black Enterprise, Pension & Investments, and Investor’s Business Daily.
In addition, with a love for the community that equals his business acumen, Profit established the Profit Charitable Foundation Fund, which helps minority students pay for university expenses and assists with various community causes.
The Ivy League alum is also a staunch proponent of financial literacy through internship programs and workshops informing African Americans about the benefits of long-term investing.
All of these accomplishments beg the question, why is Profit not a household name in urban America?
But he hasn’t gone unnoticed by business elite nationwide. On Saturday, June 25, Profit, CEO of Profit Investment Management, received the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation award at the Foundation’s fourth annual gala luncheon at the Lewis estate in East Hampton, N.Y.
The Reginald F. Lewis Award is given annually to an African American entrepreneur who attains international success in business before the age of 50. Lewis was America’s first African American billionaire. He died at age 50 on Jan. 19, 1993, from a cerebral hemorrhage related to brain cancer.
“We are thrilled this year to honor Eugene Profit, whose achievements bring the legacy of Reginald F. Lewis into the 21st century,” said event chair Leslie Lewis Sword, Lewis’ daughter and foundation board member. “Eugene joins an elite group of African American achievers on Wall Street and in business that the Foundation has helped showcase to the world through this award.”
Profit said he will forever be awed by what Lewis accomplished in the business world — especially in an era that was not very hospitable to the aspirations of ambitious African American men like the legendary Lewis.
“Reginald F. Lewis was an inspiration to me as I started my entrepreneurial life and provided an example of the possibilities I could achieve,” said Profit. “I am deeply honored to be chosen for this award and to follow in the footsteps of a man who, in addition to being a great businessman, was equally dedicated in his philanthropic work for others and to his family.” –terry shropshire
For more information, visit reginaldflewis.com.
