NEWS RELEASE
(Huntsville, Alabama) – On, May 24, 2025, West Palm Beach, Florida, Dr. LeRoy Gradford, Jr., was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame.
Dr. LeRoy ‘Lee’ Gradford, Jr., is a native of Prichard, Alabama, and a product of the Mobile County Public School System. He is happily married to Mrs. Leatrice Gradford.
Because of his love for the community, Dr. Gradford Jr., has donated innumerable financial, and equipment resources to the First Tee of Huntsville (former), Par Excellence Youth Development (PEYD), and other youth programs. He garnered over $3,000,000 that was used to move low-income families toward self-sufficiency. Including young boys, and girls from those neighborhoods.
In 1962, Lee was deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division to assist in various military enforcement throughout the United States, and overseas. He was reassigned again in 1973, and held numerous personnel management positions. He completed his military service as a captain, receiving several awards and decorations during his military service.
Dr. Gradford received a bachelor’s degree in public administration (Magna-Cum-Laude) at Shaw University, and a master’s in business administration at Florida Institute of Technology. He earned his Doctor of Education Degree (Kappa Delta Pi) at The University of Alabama in 1988.
He has devoted considerable amount of time in volunteer service to professional community organizations, and has received many commendations for his commitment. He now serves as a gubernational appointee on the Alabama Sickle Cell Oversight, and Regulatory Commission.
I am more than honored to be inducted into the African American Golfer’s Hall of Fame in Palm Beach County, Florida. My induction for the “2025 Leadership Award” is special, and dear to my heart due to my love for the wonderful game of golf, and the positive impact the sport has on our young people of the world.
I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Par Excellence Youth Development (PEYD), an organization I helped to found in 2016. We at PEYD are committed to the development of the youth in our communities, and encourage others to donate their time, talents and treasures.
