MS HR41

John T. Grant, Jr. serves as Executive Director of the Cricket Celebration Bowl and MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff, positions he has held since joining ESPN Events in August 2015

The Cricket Celebration Bowl features MEAC and SWAC conference champions competing at Mercedes Benz Stadium each December in a nationally televised ABC broadcast for the unofficial Black college football national championship

Sports Illustrated named Grant one of the 20 Most Influential Black Figures in College Football in 2023

Grant served as CEO of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, became the organization's youngest member at age 30 in 1992, and was voted Man of the Year in 1989

Recognition includes Atlanta Business Chronicle's 100 Most Influential Atlantans, 2015 Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame inductee, and 2022 Visionary Award recipient