Don Cravins Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donald R. Cravins Jr.
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| Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development | |
| In office August 15, 2022 – January 12, 2024 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Henry Childs II |
| Member of the Louisiana State Senate from the 24th district |
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| In office December 2006 – January 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Donald R. Cravins, Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Elbert Guillory |
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 40th district |
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| In office January 2004 – December 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Hudson |
| Succeeded by | Elbert Guillory |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Donald R. Cravins Jr.
July 31, 1972 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Spouse | Yvette Puckett Cravins |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Louisiana State University (BA) Southern University (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 2011–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | District of Columbia Army National Guard, Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps |
Donald R. Cravins Jr. (born July 31, 1972) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development from 2022 to 2024. Before that, he was a member of the Louisiana State Legislature from 2004 to 2009. He also worked as an executive at the National Urban League.
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Early Life and Education
Cravins was born in Houston, Texas. He grew up in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. He studied political science at Louisiana State University, earning his degree in 1994. He then earned a law degree from the Southern University Law Center in 1998.
Public Service Career
Serving in the Louisiana Legislature
Donald Cravins Jr. first ran for public office in 2004. He was elected as a state representative for District 40. When he was elected, he and his father, Donald Cravins Sr., made history. They were the first father and son to serve in the Louisiana Legislature at the same time.
In 2006, his father left the Louisiana State Senate. Donald Cravins Jr. then ran for his father's Senate seat and won without anyone running against him. He was re-elected to the Louisiana State Senate in 2007. He represented Senate District 24 from December 2006 to January 2009. During his time in the Senate, he led the Insurance Committee. He also served as vice chair of the Retirement Committee.
Running for Congress
In 2008, Cravins ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He was the Democratic candidate for Louisiana's 7th congressional district. He ran against Republican Charles Boustany but was not elected.
Working in Washington D.C.
In January 2009, Cravins left his state senator role. He took a job as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. This committee helps small businesses.
From 2013 to 2015, Cravins worked as chief of staff for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu. She was a Democrat from New Orleans.
Leadership Roles in Organizations
In 2015, Cravins became a deputy national political director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Later that year, he joined the National Urban League. He became their senior vice president for policy. He also led the National Urban League Washington Bureau. In these roles, he helped create the League's policies. He worked to expand their influence in government. He also focused on the League's goal to help communities through education and economic growth.
In 2019, Cravins moved to Charter Communications, Inc. He became the Vice President of Policy and External Affairs. He worked to build partnerships with other groups. Charter Communications is a large cable and TV company in the United States.
In May 2021, Cravins returned to the National Urban League. He became the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He led new projects for the organization. He also guided their programs for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Cravins also taught as a professor at George Washington University. He taught about political management.
Leading Minority Business Development
In May 2022, President Joe Biden chose Cravins for a new role. He was nominated to be the first Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. The United States Senate approved his nomination in August 2022.
As Under Secretary, he led the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). This agency helps minority-owned businesses across the country. In 2021, President Biden signed a law that made the MBDA a permanent federal agency. Cravins left this position in January 2024.
Military Service
Donald Cravins Jr. also serves in the military. He is a lieutenant colonel in the District of Columbia Army National Guard. He works in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, which provides legal services. He has received several awards for his military service. These include two Meritorious Service Medals and three Army Commendation Medals.
Current Role
Currently, Cravins is the Head of Government Affairs and Outreach for Williams. This is a large energy company based in Oklahoma. It works with natural gas across the United States.
Awards and Memberships
In 2024, ForbesBLK named Cravins to its first "ForbesBLK 50" list. This list highlights successful Black Americans. It includes leaders in business, finance, and other fields.
Cravins has served on the board of the Energy Foundation. He was also on the advisory board of Poder Latinx. He is a life member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He is also a member of The Rocks, Inc., and the 100 Black Men of Prince George's County.
In 2006, he was chosen as King Toussaint L'Ouverture, XLVIII, for the Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival. He has received other honors too. In 2020, the National Bar Association named him "Advocate of the Year." He was inducted into the Southern University Law School Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2015, he was named a distinguished alumnus of Louisiana State University.
Personal Life
Donald Cravins Jr. is married to Yvette Puckett Cravins. They have three children. The family lives in Maryland. He is Catholic.
See also
- United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana, 2008
