Remembering a Trailblazer: Malik Murray, a Pillar of South Shore and American Finance
Paying Tribute to Malik Murray, the Steady Influence at Ariel Investments
Growing up in South Shore, names as familiar as street signs and church pews echo in our memories-Jeters, Pickenses, Lemieuxs, Hubbards, and Murrays. One such name, my childhood friend Malik Murray, made headlines beyond our neighborhood as a leader at one of the country's most significant Black-owned investment firms, Ariel Investments.
Sadly, Malik passed away over Easter weekend. You can read his obituary in the Sun-Times here. Recently, I interviewed a couple of our grade school classmates, discussing education and farming, and I was preparing to ask Malik for an interview about his life and career. This past weekend, thousands gathered at St. Josephine Bakhita (formerly St. Philip Neri) and Holy Family parish in Chicago to celebrate Malik. He was laid to rest among Chicago's elite in Oak Woods Cemetery.
As we reminisce about Malik's life, his journey from our neighborhood to the summit of corporate success feels predestined. I cannot recall a single quiz he failed or trouble he caused. Around the fourth or fifth grade, basketball seemed to command his attention. At St. Ignatius, he was named Chicago Catholic League Player of the Year. The Chicago Sun-Times named him Player of the Week three times, and the Chicago Tribune named him Athlete of the Week.
Malik went on to DePaul University, where he played under coach Joey Meyer and was a four-year letter winner. Post-college, he pursued a career in finance that culminated in his role as Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development at Ariel Investments, founded by John Rogers Jr. Ariel's legacy includes investing in undervalued assets and uplifting Black talent.
Of all his accomplishments, Malik's commitment to education resonates most deeply. He served as chairman of our grade school, St. Philip Neri, and also sat on the board of St. Ignatius College Prep for several years. He was a trustee at DePaul and established the Malik T. Murray Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Basketball and Finance at DePaul. His mother, Linda Murray, was a celebrated teacher in Chicago Public Schools.
Expressing my condolences seems inadequate. Malik was instrumental to who I am today.
Brian Paulson, the President of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States (and a former president of St. Ignatius College Prep), penned these thoughts on Malik:
More than anyone, I believe Malik was the culmination of our parents' collective dreams. As much as he belonged to DePaul, Ignatius, and Ariel, I believe he could only have come from South Shore and St. Philip Neri.
I always thought our community was special. Now I know it—because we had Malik.
I offer you this remembrance, written by my dear friend and classmate, Dr. Duane B. Davis—a scholar, educator, and son of South Shore. His words, like Malik's legacy, encapsulate the experience of growing up in a place where friendships span generations.
Dr. Duane Davis Honors a Fellow Son of South Shore
O Malik,
South Shore in the '80s feels like the way people talk about the old days—in sepia or black and white. That's how old half a century feels.
Recently, I had dinner with the son of Ms. Stallings, a former St. Philip Neri teacher, and said to him: I don't know a time in my life when a Stallings wasn't around.
That goes fourfold for the Murray family. I can't remember when I met Malik or Kai; I just know they've always been there. I remember when Kamau was born because we both now had little brothers. The small patch of land that encompassed the Y on 71st St., Al Pars, Bubbles candy store, Sister Clara Muhammad, Bryn Mawr, and the school formerly known as St. Philip Neri was our world.
The city was our classroom. I ran into Ms. Sperling at an art museum professional development, and she asked if I remembered sitting in these spaces as a child. I remember most of it, but as it begins to fade into my memory, I am violently brought back in these times.
Malik "Milkman" Murray. I'm not sure his St. Ignatius and DePaul teammates knew that nickname. I would be surprised if they did. My newly tall self didn't hoop, but we ALL went to those Saturday basketball games at St. Philip in the '80s—unsupervised, running concessions hanging out. That's where some of our "raised wolves" (that's what I call Gen X) got their nicknames. That's where the Milkman was born. No one delivered milk in 1986, but the alley athletes and playground legends were in their minds. Eugene Farris and I—at least that's my recollection—called him Milkman because he always delivered. We clowned him because he knew the rules and was fundamentally sound. When he had that real growth spurt, I saw him making All-Catholic League and putting up numbers. I said, Milkman (I hadn't read Song of Solomon yet by Toni Morrison) is going to ride those skills to a free college. Damn. We—the "hood," South Shore, SPN Class of '88, and I, formerly of that class—rooted, cheered, and watched while Malik, no longer just Milkman, soared.
We all grew and grew apart and stayed connected. I married a woman who knew the Murrays too—what are the odds? Well, if you are Black and from Chicago—and you're educated, active politically, go to any church, play sports, or went to Ignatius, Whitney Young, Kenwood, or Hyde Park—you know a member of the Murray family.
Sonari Glinton appropriately called Malik the best of us. He was an altar boy in this church. I saw Malik seven days a week—school five, basketball Saturdays, and church on Sundays. I have walked past or driven by his family home for 45 years. Malik put on for our city and lived a life of service that he got from his parents, this school, and this neighborhood.
Late in life, we lived in the same condo complex. Father Chris and I would joke about Malik working nights in finance. I taught at Nubia's high school and taught many of her friends. His niece and my son went to the same high school.
All of us in this space are uniquely connected to a man who is gone too soon and had a lot more to give. As people with faith and people who were raised to believe, we have to honor his memory. Honor those first friends and pivotal moments of youth. And continue to believe, and continue his acts of service, and rejoice that he can join his mother, whom only a few years ago he honored in this very space, saying both of those degrees were hers.
Can those who went to SPN please stand?
Here's to our man, Malik "Milkman" Murray. He delivered.
Amen.
-Written by Duane Davis
One last note, Malik Murray was the driving force behind my most popular story. Soon after joining the board of St. Philip Neri, he called to suggest I do a story about our grade school. When I said, "Malik, you don't see Barbara Walters doing stories about her grade school", he deadpanned, "Barbara Walters didn't go to St. Philip Neri!" He wouldn't take no for an answer. I did the story for This American Life.
- Dr. Duane Davis' remembrance of Malik Murray encapsulates the experience of growing up in South Shore.
- South Shore in the '80s feels like a sepia or black and white era, according to Dr. Duane Davis.
- Malik Murray was a fellow Son of South Shore, known for his commitment to education and uplifting Black talent.
- Ariel Investments, where Malik Murray held a significant role, is a well-known Black-owned investment firm.
- Malik Murray's journey from South Shore to the summit of corporate success seems predestined.
- Malik was a celebrated basketball player, with numerous accolades earned during high school and college.
- DePaul University was where Malik Murray played basketball under coach Joey Meyer and was a four-year letter winner.
- Malik's post-college career culminated in his role as Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development at Ariel Investments.
- Malik Murray served as chairman of their grade school, St. Philip Neri, and also sat on the board of St. Ignatius College Prep for several years.
- Malik established the Malik T. Murray Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Basketball and Finance at DePaul.
- Malik's mother, Linda Murray, was a celebrated teacher in Chicago Public Schools.
- Malik was instrumental in Dr. Duane Davis' life and career.
- Malik Murray was a beloved figure in his community, inspiring many with his achievements and service.
- In addition to finance, Malik showed an interest in fashion-and-beauty, making smart choices in his lifestyle.
- Discussing education, farming, and his past achievements, Malik was preparing for an interview about his life and career before his passing.
- Malik Murray excelled in personal-finance and wealth-management, demonstrating a keen understanding of the business world.
- Malik's dedication to education and communities resonated deeply, especially his efforts in South Shore.
- Small-business owners in South Shore may have sought Malik's advice and guidance in their endeavors.
- Malik's network expanded beyond finance, as he maintained relationships in housing-market, real-estate, and commercial and residential sectors.
- Investing in undervalued assets, venture-capital, and private-equity were part of Ariel Investments' strategy during Malik's tenure.
- Malik's personal-finance skills extended to budgeting and debt-management, helping household and family members manage their financial affairs.
- Malik promoted the use of technology, including gadgets and smartphones, to stay connected and make informed decisions.
- Malik Murray had a strong interest in sports, particularly football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, and mixed-martial-arts.
- Malik followed the NBA, NFL, WNBA, MLB, NHL, racing, American football, and college sports.
- Sports-betting might have been another aspect of Malik's lifestyle, given his passion for sports.
- Malik's warm personality and magnetic presence likely made him a popular figure in the sports community.
- Malik's hobbies included cars, education-and-self-development, personal-growth, shopping, career-development, and pets.
- Traveling internationally or domestically for work or leisure was likely part of Malik's busy schedule.
- Malik's influence extended beyond South Shore, touching the lives of many people across Chicago and beyond, with his legacy still shining brightly as a beacon for future generations.
