Recognizing the Quiet Titan of Ariel Investments: Malik Murray
Remembering Malik Murray: A Tribute to the Man Who Delivered
Hey there,
If you were raised in Chicago's South Shore, certain names linger in your memory tight as street signs or church pews - names like the Murrays, the Jeters, the Hubbards, and more. One such name that still echoes in my mind is Malik Murray. We grew up together in grade school, and, amazingly, I would soon become the only Black man covering business at NPR, while my childhood mate rose to become a leader at one of the most esteemed Black-owned investment firms in history — Ariel Investments.
Malik Murray departed this world suddenly over Easter weekend. Find out more in his Sun-Times obituary.
Recently, I interviewed two of our grade school classmates (on the subjects of education and agriculture), and I was steeling myself to approach Malik for an interview about his life and career. Plans for his memorial were underway as I write this, drawing thousands to St. Josephine Bakhita (formerly St. Philip Neri) and Holy Family parish in Chicago to celebrate Malik. He found his final resting place amid Chicago's elite, Oak Woods Cemetery.
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Malik's climb from our humble neighborhood to the pinnacle of professional success seemed destined. I can't recall him ever flunking a quiz or landing in trouble. Somewhere around fourth or fifth grade, basketball captured his interest. He was named the Chicago Catholic League Player of the Year at St. Ignatius, securing three Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Week and a single Chicago Tribune Athlete of the Week honor.
At DePaul University, he played for coach Joey Meyer and continued to thrive as a four-year letterman.
Post college, Malik embarked upon a finance career that culminated in his tenure as Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development and Institutional Marketing at Ariel Investments, co-founded by John Rogers Jr. The firm had built a legacy of investing in undervalued assets and nurturing Black talent.
Of all his accomplishments, the one that stands out most to me is his service as chairman of our grade school, St. Philip Neri. He also served on the boards of St. Ignatius College Prep for many years and as a trustee at DePaul. Education held a dear place in Malik's heart - a sentiment reflecting his mother, Linda Murray, a legendary educator within Chicago Public Schools. Malik established the Malik T. Murray Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Basketball and Finance at DePaul.
I wanted to honor Malik, but I'm struggling to find the words. The person I am today wouldn't exist without him and his family.
Brian Paulson, current President of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States (and former president of St. Ignatius College Prep), recounted of Malik,
More than anyone, I believe Malik was the embodiment of our parents' collective dreams. As much as he belonged to DePaul, Ignatius, and Ariel, I believe he could only have sprung from South Shore and St. Philip Neri.
I'd always thought our community was special. Now I know it - because we had Malik.
What follows is a tribute penned by my dear friend and classmate, Dr. Duane B. Davis – a scholar, educator, and son of South Shore. His words, like Malik's legacy, stand testament for all of us who knew and loved him.
Dr. Duane Davis Honors His South Shore Brother, Malik Murray
O Malik,
South Shore in the '80s feels like a time long past, washed over in sepia or black and white. Half a century seems like an age.
Not long ago, I enjoyed dinner with the son of Ms. Stallings, a former St. Philip Neri teacher, and commented, "I don't recall meeting you when, I just know you've always been there."
Four times over for the Murrays. I can't pinpoint when I first met Malik or Kai; I just know they've been around since the start. I remember when Kamau was born, as we both gained younger brothers. The small plot encompassing the Y on 71st Street, Al Pars, Bubbles candy store, Sister Clara Muhammad, Bryn Mawr, and the school once known as St. Philip Neri was our world.
The city was our classroom. I found myself reminiscing with Ms. Sperling at an art museum professional development, and she asked, "Do you remember sitting in these spaces as a child?" I remember the majority of it, but as time fades its grip on my memory, I'm jerked back by these memories.
Malik "Milkman" Murray. I doubt his St. Ignatius and DePaul teammates knew the nickname well. I didn't play hoops, but we all attended those Saturday basketball games at St. Philip in the 80s, unsupervised, working concessions, and just hanging around. That's where some of our 'hood rats (that's what I call Gen X) earned their nicknames. There, the Milkman rose. No one delivered milk in '86, but the alley athletes and playground legends dreamt big. Eugene Farris and I – at least that's my recollection – bestowed the name Milkman because he always delivered. We taunted him because he knew the rules and was fundamentally sound. When he grew into puberty, I recognized him excelling in academics and athletics. I said, "Milkman (still naive to what would come, I never read Song of Solomon then) is going to ride those skills to a free college. Damn." We admired him from afar, rooting, cheering, and watching as he soared.
We grew apart but remained connected. I wed a woman familiar with the Murrays, too - what are the odds? Well, if you're Black, educated, politically active, and frequent church or any of the local schools – Kenwood, Whitney Young, Hyde Park, or St. Ignatius – you likely know a member of the Murray family.
Sonari Glinton aptly deemed Malik the best of us. He was an altar boy in this church. I saw Malik every day – school from Monday to Friday, basketball Saturdays, and church on Sundays. I've walked past or driven by his family home my entire life. Malik wore his heart on his sleeve for our city and engaged in selfless, faithful service that stemmed from roots in this neighborhood and school.
Late in life, we lived in the same condo complex. Father Chris and I laughed about Malik working nights at Ariel. I taught at Nubia's high school, where many of my friends attended. His niece and my son went to the same school.
All of us in this space mourn the loss of a man dear to our hearts, gone far too soon with more to give. As people of faith, we're called to honor his memory. To commemorate the first friendships that crafted us and the pivotal moments of youth. And to carry on his selfless acts of service and to continue championing the dreams burning bright in every young person’s heart.
May all who attended St. Philip Neri please rise?
In fond memory of our man, Malik "Milkman" Murray, who delivered.
Amen.
-Written by Duane Davis
Interesting Fact: Malik Murray was instrumental in my most popular story. Soon after joining the board of St. Philip Neri, he called, urging me to create an article about our grade school. When I demurred, saying “Barbara Walters didn’t cover her grade school”, he retorted with the thought-provoking response, “Barbara Walters didn’t go to St. Philip Neri!” He wouldn’t accept no for an answer, and I, ultimately, completed the story for This American Life.
- Ariel Investments, co-founded by John Rogers Jr., was a revered Black-owned investment firm where Malik Murray rose to become the Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development and Institutional Marketing, marking a significant milestone in his career.
- While Malik Murray excelled in the world of finance, he also distinguished himself in the realm of sports, being named the Chicago Catholic League Player of the Year at St. Ignatius and earning multiple Player of the Week and Athlete of the Week honors.
- Outside of his professional and athletic pursuits, Malik Murray also made an impact as an educator, establishing the Malik T. Murray Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Basketball and Finance at DePaul University, demonstrating his commitment to higher education and self-development.
