James "Bud" Ward, born in Worcester, Massachusetts on June 4, 1925, embarked on an extraordinary life path. After graduating from North High School in 1943, he initially enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, but his ultimate service was with the U.S. Navy for four years. Ward's pursuit of higher education led him to Howard University before transferring to Cornell University, where he achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African American graduate of the school's hotel administration program in 1952.
Upon his graduation from Cornell, Ward's career took him to various roles in the hospitality and marketing industries. He managed the Book of T Motel in Miami, Florida, worked as a waiter and desk night clerk, and managed the Lord Calvert Hotel in Miami. In 1962, he founded Special-Market Resources, a consulting company specializing in African American consumerism research and marketing. His career pinnacle was his tenure at Marriott Corporation, where he not only assessed minority employment practices but also became the first African American vice president of a major hotel chain. For nearly two decades, he played a vital role in expanding the hotel division, contributing to the development of Courtyard by Marriott Hotels.
In 1986, Ward ventured into the world of technology by founding Symbiont, Inc., leaving a lasting legacy of innovation. James "Bud" Ward's profound influence extends beyond his professional achievements. In 1966, he co-published "Go-Guide to Pleasant Travel," a travel and leisure magazine catering to African Americans during the segregation era. Recognized for his contributions, Ward received the prestigious Jackie Robinson Robie Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 and a certificate of appreciation from the District of Columbia Superior Court in the same year.
Ward, alongside his wife, Eulah, was a loving parent to three children: Forrest, Charles, and Sterling, and the proud grandparent of three. His remarkable life and career were documented in an interview with The HistoryMakers on March 22, 2018.
James "Bud" Ward's journey came to a close on July 31, 2019, but his impact on history endures.
