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Lester McKeever (Finding Aid)
1934 -
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Chicken
Favorite Time of Year: Summer
Favorite Vacation Spot: Europe and Africa
Interview Length: 105 minutes
Interview Date(s): May 19, 2000
Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois, Chicago, IL
Abstract
As one of Chicago's first black CPA's, Lester McKeever describes his hardscrabble life in 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He discusses his parents divorce and its effect upon the quality of life of his family. McKeever also reveals how a benevolent couple, the Beasley's ensured a college education would be available to him when his own family was unable to send him to school. One of Chicago's first black CPAs, Lester McKeever describes his efforts to combat racism in the accounting field as he sought to attain his CPA certification. He also discusses life in the Army, his marriage and his fellow black CPAs in Chicago in the 1950s and 1960s. As one of Chicago's first black CPA's Former chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Chicago and CPA, Lester McKeever details his rise to managing partner at his firm and later at the Board of the Federal Reserve. McKeever also discusses his mentors and friends and thier achievements.
37 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)
- Slating of Lester McKeever interview
- Lester McKeever's favorites, part 1
- Lester McKeever's favorites, part 2
- Lester McKeever describes his family background
- Lester McKeever remembers his parents
- Lester McKeever recalls his childhood home on Chicago's South Side
- Lester McKeever remembers his early school life
- Lester McKeever describes his childhood behavior
- Lester McKeever details his early support network
- Lester McKeever remembers influential classmates
- Lester McKeever remembers his mentors, the Beasleys
- Lester McKeever recalls his college experience
- Lester McKeever remembers his years at the University of Illinois
- Lester McKeever recalls his post-college pursuits
- Lester McKeever reviews his years in the military
- Lester McKeever discusses his wife
- Lester McKeever recalls his military duty in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Lester McKeever recalls his beginnings in accounting
- Lester McKeever discusses the history of accounting
- Lester McKeever discusses African American art
- Lester McKeever discusses his family
- Lester McKeever expresses his hopes and concerns for the African American community
- Lester McKeever wants to be remembered as someone who contributed
- Lester McKeever reflects on community involvement
- Lester McKeever discusses his involvement in the racing industry
- Lester McKeever reflects on his family's history
- Lester McKeever talks about starting his accounting practice
- Lester McKeever talks about his growing responsibilites at Smith Washington
- Lester McKeever describes the impetus behind African American businesses becoming successful on a larger scale
- Lester McKeever addresses a question about his qualifications for becoming managing partner
- Lester McKeever recalls hisrise to managing partner at his firm
- Lester McKeever discusses how he helped his firm through Chicago United and other community building activities
- Lester Mckeever reflects on his career and the firm he has helped to build
- Lester McKeever talks about the future for black in accounting and business
- Lester McKeever compares the work ethic and education of the younger generation to his generation
- Lester McKeever describes his mentors
- Lester McKeever details his tenure on the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank