Speaking of Business

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  Interview with Don Idahosa

  Don Idahosa

  This interview was recorded as a part of the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society’s Speaking of Business Oral History Project with the Western Michigan University Haworth School of Business. During the interview Don Idahosa, the narrator, discussed the following topics:

  • Background information of his career;

  • His experience as a person of color at a company during the 1980s;

  • Starting his own firm;

  • Advice for those starting out a new business;

  • Cultural differences between Nigeria and Kalamazoo;

  • Personal weaknesses;

  • Technological advances;

  • People that have helped him;

  • Job opportunities in Kalamazoo, then vs. now;

  • Changes in perspective after moving to America;

  • Advice to pass on to the next generation.

  Additional files include full transcription and abstract.

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  Interview with LaJune Montgomery Tabron

  LaJune Montgomery Tabron

  This interview was recorded as a part of the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society’s Speaking of Business Oral History Project with the Western Michigan University Haworth School of Business. During the interview La June Montgomery-Tabron, the narrator, discussed the following topics:

  • Childhood;

  • Early years as an accountant;

  • Work at the Kellogg Foundation;

  • How foundations operate;

  • Community Service;

  • Her responsibilities at the Kellogg Foundation;

  • Social justice programs and the community;

  • How the community can be more effective at eradicating injustices;

  • The history of the foundation;

  • Her volunteer work;

  • The music she likes;

  • The rewards of being a philanthropist.

  Additional files include full transcription and abstract.

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  Interview with Erick Stewart

  Erick Stewart

  Interview with Erick Stewart, co-founder of Stewart Industries in Battle Creek Michigan. Stewart Industries LLC provided automotive, aerospace, define, and medical device industries assembly, manufacturing, inspection and foreign trade zone services. During the interview Mr. Stewart discusses:

  • Becoming an entrepreneur;

  • His early projects and customers;

  • His feelings and mentality toward his work;

  • Working with his father;

  • His family life;

  • Being a minority business;

  • His core values;

  • Motivating his employees;

  • The biggest challenges his business has faced;

  • His goals for the future;

  • Reflecting on earlier business decisions, and;

  • Advice for entrepreneurs.

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  Interview with Judge Carolyn Williams

  Carolyn Williams

  This interview was recorded as a part of the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society’s Speaking of Business Oral History Project with the Western Michigan University Haworth School of Business. During the interview Carolyn Williams, the narrator, discussed the following topics:

  • Her childhood;

  • Her sons’ education;

  • Her college years;

  • Her experience in Law School;

  • First years as an African American female lawyer in Southwest Michigan;

  • Juggling motherhood and her career as a lawyer, then judge;

  • Community initiatives she was involved in;

  • Childhood and family life.

  Additional files include full transcription and abstract.

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  Interview with Paul Best

  Paul Best

  This interview was recorded as a part of the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society’s Speaking of Business Oral History Project with the Western Michigan University Haworth School of Business on November 16, 2011. During the interview Paul Best, the narrator, discussed the following topics:

  • His childhood;

  • College years;

  • Post-college years;

  • Starting his company;

  • Being an entrepreneur;

  • The potential of folks of color in the business sector;

  • His work ethic;

  • Future goals;

  • Advice for current entrepreneurs.

  Additional files include transcription and abstract.

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  Interview with Willie Mae Pierson

  Willie Mae Pierson

  This interview was recorded as a part of the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society’s Speaking of Business Oral History Project with the Western Michigan University Haworth School of Business on November 16, 2011. During the interview Willie Mae Pierson, the narrator, discussed the following topics:

  • How she feels about her career;

  • What has motivated her;

  • Experiences as an African American woman;

  • Her childhood;

  • Her interests;

  • What motivates her.

  Additional files include full transcription and abstract.