In celebration of 40 next: emerging business leaders who are shaping our future.(ANNIVERSARY 40 YEARS SPECIAL, we recognize African Americans, ages 21-35, who are changing the world of business

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, Black Enterprise is taking a look both forward and backward at the world of black business. Our list of 40 Next celebrates the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.


These BE Nexters—those 21–35 years old making a measurable impact within their respective business, organization, industry, or field—are standouts in the areas of entrepreneurship, corporate America, academia, nonprofit, the arts, and the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). And they prove every day that "business as usual" is not so usual. For them, leveraging expertise in one area to maximize an opportunity in another is standard operating procedure.


Using the legacy of their business predecessors to forge their own way, this new generation of leadership accepts the torch without trepidation. But the commonality between then and now is that success still takes a focused, strategic, and passionate mindset. Here, we introduce you to one of our 40 Next.

IVY GRANT, 35
Corporate Senior Director, Business Development
Polo Ralph Lauren, New York
In her position at the iconic company, Grant leads the buyback of the brand’s licenses from retailers overseas and currently focuses on licenses in Asia. She’s also strengthening and growing the e-commerce division and implementing a massive strategy to improve its financial structure. She has also just produced her first short film.

Be sure to pick up the commemorative 40th anniversary August 2010 issue of Black Enterprise, which contains the entire 40 Next list.


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