Interview with Leonard C. Hale, July 12, 1978

Partial Transcript: My name is Edward Owens. I'm working with the Urban League on the Oral Black History Project.

Segment Synopsis: Hale speaks on his immediate family history, personal background, and education.

Keywords: Family history

Subjects: African American families; Background information; Lexington (Ky.); Winchester (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: How long have you owned a business in Lexington?

Segment Synopsis: Hale discusses the start of his entrepreneurial career in the cleaning business.

Keywords: Cleaning company; Entrepreneurs; Quality; Starting a business

Subjects: African American business enterprises; African American businesspeople; Businesspeople, Black; Entrepreneurship

Partial Transcript: At that time, were there any other black cleaners in Lexington?

Segment Synopsis: Owens and Hale address how few blacks will use African American-owned businesses. The two discuss how many black business owners there were when Hale started and what the business community looked like in the 1970s.

Keywords: African American business owners; Community support; Customers

Subjects: African American business enterprises; African American businesspeople

Partial Transcript: Why are you one of only a handful of blacks that own a business today?

Segment Synopsis: Hale asserts that it is difficult for African Americans to start businesses due to financial reasons, and highlights the other various necessities to run a business applying them as the reason blacks don't get started in entrepreneurship.

Keywords: African American businesses; Banks; Black business; Business owners; Financing; Loans; Minority; Prejudice

Subjects: African American business enterprises; African Americans--Economic conditions.; African american businesspeople; Businesspeople, Black; Finance

Partial Transcript: Do you feel that the black church could help promote black business?

Segment Synopsis: Hale explores his reasoning for expecting black community members to help support black businesses.

Keywords: Community; Encouragement; Promotion

Subjects: African American business enterprises; African American churches; Communities

Partial Transcript: You can see a change in the fact that there hasn't been a lot of business in Lexington, do you think that there will be in the next 10-15 years?

Segment Synopsis: Hale comments on the necessity of black community support for youth and businesses.

Keywords: Expectations; Forward thinking

Subjects: African American business enterprises; African American businesspeople