Being Black in Corporate America

This book offers the perspectives of 3 African American men and describes their unique experiences working for 3 separate  companies as they share their stories and their climb up the corporate ladder. Being Black in Corporate America connects the current racial tensions our country faces today and how they often spill into the workforce. This book shares anecdotal scenarios that can prove helpful to any employer/employee relationship in any working environment. It offers suggestions and tips for minorities on how to ascend the corporate ladder. It also provides helpful solutions to companies on building positive and trusting working relationships with all employees.

This book offers the perspectives of 3 African American men and describes their unique experiences working for 3 separate  companies as they share their stories and their climb up the corporate ladder. Being Black in Corporate America connects the current racial tensions our country faces today and how they often spill into the workforce. This book shares anecdotal scenarios that can prove helpful to any employer/employee relationship in any working environment. It offers suggestions and tips for minorities on how to ascend the corporate ladder. It also provides helpful solutions to companies on building positive and trusting working relationships with all employees. This book identifies many of the racial tensions in our world and shares how they sometimes spill into the work place. Some of the topics included are The Main Ingredients for companies to own. Corporate Credibility, Character Intention and Straight Talk. It talks about the choices we make and how they can sometimes have an impact on our career pathing. This book describes what progress looks like for minorities in the work force. It describes the 8 IF's that lead to the best employer employee relationship. It describes the components for effective communication that includes thinking before you speak and how to best prepare yourself to approach a conversation with your employer. These components are applicable in any communicational relationship. This book allows us to see career pathing through the lens of 3 African American men within Corporate America and what challenges as well as support impacted their climb of the corporate ladder.

OJ Smith is a retired sales director with The Hershey Company. "I spent nearly 30 years selling a product that was fun, sweet and consumed by everyone". Today, OJ is a 3 time published author, motivational speaker, musician, stand up comedian and stay at home parent. ​ OJ is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Rhetoric and Communications from Kent State University. OJ and wife Lisa met in college and have been married for 33 years. "We are proud parents of two children, Brandon and Candace.