Hezekiah Griggs facts for kids

Hezekiah Griggs III (October 27, 1988 – December 22, 2016) was an American entrepreneur, a person who starts new businesses. He was also a philanthropist, meaning he helped others through generous donations. He was an investor too, putting money into businesses to help them grow.

Griggs founded H360Capital, a company that invested in new businesses. This made him the youngest African-American venture capitalist at that time. A venture capitalist invests in companies that are just starting. Hezekiah Griggs III also taught at colleges and gave inspiring speeches.

In 2011, the White House recognized him for his charity work. They also praised his partnerships with city communities. He was called a 'Legend in the Making' at the 55th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Griggs passed away at age 28 in a car accident.

Early Life and Business Ideas

Hezekiah Griggs III was born and grew up in Passaic, New Jersey. He went to Passaic High School and played sports there. He grew up in a single-parent home and faced challenges from poverty. He often said that his humble beginnings helped him become an entrepreneur.

By the age of twelve, Griggs had already started several small businesses. Before high school, he began publishing magazines. People called him "America's Youngest Media Mogul." This was because he created HG3media, a company that published free magazines for teens.

Even though Griggs had success as a teenager, he also had businesses that didn't work out. He once told Black Enterprise magazine that "Failure is valuable." He kept creating businesses until his early twenties.

H360 Capital: Helping New Businesses

Griggs started H360capital because he saw that many minority entrepreneurs, especially African-Americans, struggled to find money for their businesses. As the managing partner, he guided the company's investments.

His firm planned to raise $100 million when it officially launched. Griggs also led a big project with cities and public groups. This project involved millions of dollars from both public and private sources.

Other Important Projects

Griggs was the main leader for Ambassadors for Leadership. He founded this group to help train and guide young people. The organization worked with youth in cities. Griggs also took part in efforts to stop violence and attended public events.

Hezekiah Griggs III was one of twenty entrepreneurs in a documentary called The Y.E.S. Movie. As a well-known African-American businessman, he was often linked to many big projects in the African-American community.

Griggs strongly believed in mentorship, which is when experienced people guide others. He actively mentored athletes, celebrities, and young people. He also joined a discussion panel with famous people like Ralph Nader and Cornel West. In 2012, Griggs was a judge at the NYC Pitchfest, an event where people present their business ideas.

Passing Away

Hezekiah Griggs III died on Thursday, December 22, 2016. He was in a car accident early in the morning in Jacksonville, Florida.