Don Cravins Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Donald R. Cravins Jr.
Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development
In office August 15, 2022 – January 12, 2024
President	Joe Biden
Preceded by	Henry Childs II
Member of the Louisiana State Senate from the 24th district
In office December 2006 – January 2009
Preceded by	Donald R. Cravins, Sr.
Succeeded by	Elbert Guillory
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 40th district
In office January 2004 – December 2006
Preceded by	Charles Hudson
Succeeded by	Elbert Guillory
Personal details
Born	Donald R. Cravins Jr. (1972-07-31) July 31, 1972 (age 52) 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. was born on July 31, 1972. He is an American lawyer and politician. From 2022 to 2024, he served as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. Before that, he was a member of the Louisiana State Legislature from 2004 to 2009. He also worked as an executive for the National Urban League.

Early Life and Education

Cravins was born in Houston, Texas. He grew up in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. In 1994, he earned a degree in political science from Louisiana State University. He then studied law at the Southern University Law Center. He received his law degree in 1998.

Donald Cravins Jr.'s Career

Serving in the Louisiana Legislature

Cravins first ran for public office in 2004. On November 2, 2004, he was elected as a state representative for District 40. He won with 54% of the votes. When he was elected, he and his father, Don 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. He became the mayor of Opelousas. Cravins Jr. ran for his father's old Senate seat and won without anyone running against him. In 2007, he was re-elected to the Louisiana State Senate. He won with 74 percent of the votes.

He represented Senate District 24 from December 2006 to January 2009. While in the Senate, Cravins led the Insurance Committee. He was also vice chair of the Retirement Committee. He was an active member of the Juvenile Justice Commission of Louisiana.

Running for Congress in 2008

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 the Republican, Charles Boustany. He did not win this election.

Other Important Roles

On January 4, 2009, Cravins left his state senator job. He took a new position in Washington, D.C. He became the Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. From 2013 to 2015, Cravins also worked as the chief of staff for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu.

In 2015, Cravins joined the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. He was named their deputy national political director. Later that year, he became a senior vice president for policy at the National Urban League. He also led their Washington Bureau. In these roles, he helped create the League's plans for policy and advocacy. He worked to empower 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 U.S.

Cravins returned to the National Urban League in 2021. He became their Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He led new projects and helped with their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. He also taught at George Washington University.

Under Secretary of Commerce for 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 on August 4, 2022.

In this job, he led the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). This agency helps minority-owned businesses in the U.S. In 2021, President Biden signed a law that made the MBDA a permanent federal agency. Cravins left this position in January 2024.

Military Service

Cravins 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. This means he is a military lawyer. He has received several awards for his service, including two Meritorious Service Medals.

Current Role

Currently, Cravins works for Williams. This is a large energy company. He is the Head of Government Affairs and Outreach. The company focuses on natural gas across the United States.

Memberships and Honors

In 2024, ForbesBLK named Cravins to its first "50" list. This list highlights successful Black Americans. It includes leaders in business and other fields. Cravins has also served on the board of the Energy Foundation. He was on the advisory board of Poder Latinx.

He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 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 for the Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival.

Cravins has received many honors. 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

Cravins is married to Yvette Puckett Cravins. They have three children. They live in Maryland. He is Catholic.

See also

• United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana, 2008