ECNETNews, New York, NY, October 4, 2024: The Black immigrant and business advocacy community is grieving the loss of esteemed Jamaican-born entrepreneur Fritz-Earle McLymont. With a groundbreaking career spanning over 50 years, McLymont was dedicated to fostering economic growth through various private, not-for-profit, and quasi-government enterprises in the United States and around the globe.
As a co-founder of the National Minority Business Council and the driving force behind McLymont, Kunda & Co., an international trade and business development firm based in New York, McLymont built a diverse clientele and engaged in impactful projects across the U.S., Africa, and the Caribbean. Known for his innovative initiatives since the 1970s, he played a pivotal role in empowering small businesses in industries such as chemicals, agriculture, transportation, energy, and media.
A dedicated advocate for minority businesses, McLymont developed award-winning education and training programs throughout the United States and the Caribbean. His extensive leadership experience included serving on various boards in both the private and nonprofit sectors, and he held a key position on a U.S. federal government commission focused on minority business development.
McLymont’s distinguished academic background includes a degree in business from Sir George Williams University, now Concordia University, in Montreal, and graduate studies in Community Economic Development at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. His contributions to the community earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Concordia University Sports Hall of Fame and the Malcolm X Unity Award in 2013. He also served as a Roving Ambassador for the Caribbean America Chamber of Commerce and Industry and advised the Paramount Chief of Amiiru Songhoy.
Among his career accomplishments, McLymont founded a chemical specialty manufacturing company in New York, achieving “favored supplier” status with the U.S. federal government. His innovative business model received attention in major publications, and he played an integral role in developing Montego Bay’s municipal bus transport system, enhancing the region’s tourism infrastructure. Additionally, he managed the Export Trading Company for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, representing over 100 regional firms in global markets and influencing the Port Authority’s business relations with South Africa.
The passing of Fritz-Earle McLymont signifies the loss of a transformative figure whose vision and leadership impacted countless lives and businesses. His legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and advocates for minority business empowerment.
