O’Neal Manufacturing Services, Louisville
Tell us about your current role?
I am a welder here at O’Neal. I came intending to learn as much as possible and look to advance into bigger roles.
Tell us about a moment in Black History that influenced or shaped your career/life.
Stories of my grandfather, Oscar Calhoun, has always inspired me. He was a Head Chef at several places here in Louisville such as L& N railroad chef, Embassy Supper Club, Louisville Country Club, and Kunz Hurstbourne to name a few at a time when many blacks didn’t get prominent jobs. Also at establishments that catered mainly at the time to wealthy white people. So throughout my life, in the spirit of my granddad, I’ve always been one to want to break down barriers and do things that people say can’t be done.
What motivates you to come to work each day?
I’m motivated to come to work by my children, nieces, nephews and any others from younger generations that look up to me. I look to be a role model to them like my father was to me. For them to see positive black men doing things right and showing them that hard work pays off at any level. That role models are not just entertainers and athletes, but anyone they can gain positive knowledge from.
What are you most proud of in your life/career?
I’m most proud of my children, who are another thing that motivates me to come to work. I am proud of the people they have become. The parents that they are to their children. My daughter is a great mom and hard worker. My son for obtaining his degree, which in my family has been rare, but something we look forward to changing with every generation going forward. The people they have become is a reward for the work that me and their mom put in.