Robert Lee Ingram, Jr. was born on January 7th, 1955, the second of five sons in his family, and would grow into a shining example of ambition, education, and excellence. A legend in his own right, ROBERT - affectionately known as Bobby, Bob, Uncle Bob, or The Rainmaker - entered the world with droplets of possibility coursing through his veins. From an early age, it was clear he was destined to transform industries and touch countless lives with his extraordinary capacity to love deeply, live boldly, and make an unforgettable impact by bringing people together and dreaming big.
The Ingram household was more than a home - it was an incubator of excellence where Bobby's potential was nurtured and education deeply valued.
Bobby's mother, Dorothy Strickland Ingram, was a trailblazer whose extraordinary achievements set a powerful example. From her valedictorian honors at Baltimore's Dunbar High School to earning an Alpha Kappa Alpha scholarship to Morgan State College, she broke barriers at every turn. Under the same roof, excellence multiplied as Dorothy earned three degrees while raising five (5) sons, and their father achieved the highest rating as a marine engineer - creating a tidal wave of ambition that would shape Bobby and his brothers' approach to life and learning.
At Freeport High School (Long Island, NY), Bob was more than just a student - he was a multi-sport athlete who excelled in baseball, football, basketball, and lacrosse, forming lifelong friendships along the way. Shuttling between Baltimore and New York, he cultivated the quintessential urban alchemist's toolkit - razor-sharp persuasion, the diplomatic finesse of navigating complex landscapes, and the rare art of turning potential conflicts into conversations, while his brother stood guard, leaving Bob to weave narratives that could disarm any challenge with strategic charm. His cultural awakening began in the Afro-American Experience summer programs at Adelphi and Hofstra Universities, where African drumming, dance, and theater nurtured his transformation into a true renaissance man with a deep love for people and an unquenchable zest for life.
As a proud alumni of Lincoln University and a member of the Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.., Bob studied World History and Political Science, graduating in the class of '76 with the prophetic yearbook quote "Only the Strong Survive." His thirst for knowledge led him to earn a Master of Public Administration with a focus in Urban Planning from the University of Baltimore. This foundation in history and urban development would later inform his transformative work in diversity and media.
Bob developed a lifelong love for Lincoln University, serving multiple terms as president of the University's national and Baltimore-Metro alumni associations. Under his leadership, the Alumni Association achieved remarkable milestones: increasing membership by 50%, launching eight new local chapters, implementing a modern digital infrastructure, and raising tens of thousands in sponsorships and scholarships. He would often dismiss formality by saying he was "just an old lion," but his impact on Lincoln's legacy was profound, including the establishment of the Board of Distinguished Alumni Advisors and his role as Vice President of the Lincoln University Heritage Initiative.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bobby's personal and professional life flowed with new purpose. His marriage to Renee Glaze King brought the joy of parenthood with the births of their three (3) children. After their divorce and Bob's union with Marsha Parham-Green, a fourth child was born.
Always moving with natural grace and charm, Bobby found himself at the heart of Baltimore's Young Dems, a group of idealistic change-makers mentored by civil rights icon and former U.S. Representative Parren Mitchell. His magnetic energy and vision helped orchestrate their efforts, and while many members went on to become state delegates and business leaders, their greatest achievement was the friendships that continue to exist to this day.
Bob's 40-year career in publishing, advertising, and sales was legendary. Starting at Career Communications Group, Inc., he rose to Associate Publisher for U.S. Black Engineer and Hispanic Engineer magazines, pioneering efforts to recruit Black and Latino STEM talent. Known as "the Rainmaker," Bob brought in hundreds of millions in revenue, blending creative marketing with a global perspective. During the Clinton Administration Bob pivoted to healthcare publishing, leading the Urban Health Report and Healthcare Network 2000, spotlighting trends, careers, and top executives in healthcare. Clients included Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, and Children's National.
A diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) trailblazer, Bob served as Chief Development Officer for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), working with Fortune 500 companies like IBM, Microsoft, Exxon, and Procter & Gamble. He founded the Golden Torch Awards, NSBE's premier corporate program, and co-founded the World Diversity Leadership Summit, hosting events in Prague, Vienna, Harvard University, and the New York Stock Exchange.
From launching Honey Magazine and Savoy Professional to shaping Black Enterprise's Top Companies for the Diversity issue, Bob's influence spanned industries. Even as he traveled from Monte Carlo to the United Nations, he remained driven to address the lack of diversity in advertising and corporate leadership.
As media landscapes shifted, Bob masterfully pivoted from traditional publishing to digital advertising, keeping his edge by surrounding himself with young innovative minds who kept him current and energized.
In the wake of George Floyd's murder, when corporations made sweeping promises about diversity and equity, Bob, ever the pioneer and truth-teller, continued pushing for real change while creating tangible opportunities.
From his tropical perch, he continued serving U.S. brands and agencies, and forged partnerships with global healthcare leaders like Pfizer, Merck, Mcdonald's, and Johnson & Johnson, while hosting an endless stream of family, friends, and colleagues. Bob made it rain coast to coast, generating hundreds of millions in revenue for brands while mentoring the next generation of industry leaders who affectionately called him "Uncle Bob."
Robert Lee Ingram, Jr. moved through life with an unmistakable presence, creating space and opportunity wherever he went. His signature line, "I don't need an official invitation" wasn't just words - it was his commitment to opening doors. His Type A drive and strategic mind harmonized perfectly with his resonant laugh and genuine warmth, while Rick Ross's "Hustlin" and "I'm Living My Best Life" became his victory anthems after closing major deals.
To those who knew him best, he was a love letter in human form - complete with crossed-out phrases and coffee-stained corners. His children were his masterpiece. His final chapter was enriched by living with his daughter and spending time with his grandchildren.
Bob shared a rare bond with his brothers - one of genuine joy and authenticity. His brotherly circle expanded through his first marriage to include his brothers-in-law, connections that endured beyond marriage.
His involvement with his niece, nephew and godson embodied his gift for blending personal and professional mentorship, as he championed their dreams and collaborated on ground-breaking initiatives. His love, often expressed through the "inimitable Ingram way" of passionate discourse and reconciliation.
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