Interview with Porter G. Peeples, Sr., August 17, 1978

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

Segment Synopsis: Peeples briefly discusses his education and early professional career.

Keywords: Douglas Elementary School; Jackson agency; Junior college system; Lexington native; Special education; Urban League

Subjects: African Americans--Education.; Background information; Lexington (Ky.); Teaching; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: When was the Urban League formed in Lexington?

Segment Synopsis: Peeples covers a range of introductory details regarding the Urban League of Lexington, including time of formation, possible opposition, and the process of obtaining the charter.

Keywords: Catalyst; Charter; Formation; Funds; Opposition; Process; Start

Subjects: Communities; Finance; Initiation; Money

Partial Transcript: As director, what are your responsibilities?

Segment Synopsis: Peeples gives a run down of what it's like to be the Executive Director of the Urban League of Lexington.

Keywords: Board of directors; Cross-section; Director; Diversity; Firing; Funding; Hiring; Interracial board; Public image; United Way of the Bluegrass

Subjects: Administration; Employee selection; Employees--Dismissal of; Finance; Legislation; Program management; Reputation; Responsibility; United Way of America

Partial Transcript: How is the Urban League funded?

Segment Synopsis: Peeples specifies where most of the seed money is obtained for the Urban League and explains how the seed money will almost quadruple for the year.

Keywords: Department training; Funding; Seed money; State Humanities Council; United Way of the Bluegrass; Urban League

Subjects: Budget; Education; Finance; Labor; Money; Training

Partial Transcript: Could you give us some of the programs the Urban League has initiated here?

Segment Synopsis: Peeples describes a few of the main projects run by the Urban League, including a fully-functioning grocery store based in a mobile home trailer.

Keywords: Black unemployment; Career counselors; Employment division; Grocery stores; Overworked counselors

Subjects: Career development; Education; Grocery trade; Unemployment

Partial Transcript: Do you feel the Urban League receives the support of the black community?

Segment Synopsis: Peeples explores where various groups of the community stand on the idea of the Urban League.

Keywords: Advocacy; Black community; Blacks; Contributions; Philanthropy; Spiritual; Support; Whites

Subjects: Communities; Middle class; Poor

Partial Transcript: Has your speaking out curtailed your funding somewhat?

Segment Synopsis: Peeples considers how the Urban League can be seen negatively and how that perception can lead to adversity.

Keywords: Advise; Appointments; Backlash; Disapproval; Essential; Mayors; Receptive

Subjects: Communities; Municipal government

Partial Transcript: Mr. Peeples, is there anything that I haven't asked you that you'd like to comment on?

Segment Synopsis: Peeples reflects on the Urban League's history.

Keywords: Appreciation; Effort; Reflection

Subjects: Struggle; Success