Bill Campbell (Finding Aid)

Bill Campbell

1950 -

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Good food

Favorite Time of Year: October

Favorite Vacation Spot: Paris

Interview Length: 114 minutes

Interview Date(s): May 3, 2001

Interview Location(s): The HistoryMakers, Chicago, Illinois, HistoryMakers, Chicago, Illinois, The HistoryMakers Studio, Chicago, Illinois, Historymakers Studio, Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

This segment opens with 20+ photos of Bill Campbell, spanning his birth to adulthood. He also shares his favorite things and some of his family history. His maternal grandfather was an active supporter of Wilberforce University of Ohio. He discusses his father's background as a scientist, educated at the University of Chicago, who could only find a position as a lab technician even though he held a master's degree. Campbell closes with a recollection of his first encounter with being on television, a harbinger of things to come. Bill Campbell has a wonderful time recounting his childhood and a once in a lifetime chance to interview Bill Cosby for his high school paper. He remebers the kindness of Daddy-O Dailey in securing the interview and Daddy-O's impact on his future career. Campbell also offers his perspective on segregation and racism he observed and experienced in Chicago as a youth. Growing up in the Roseland neighborhood, Campbell details how the construction of the Dan Ryan Expressway symbolized the schism between races and how it even impacts him today. Bill Campbell recounts a great story of how he ended up attending Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and talks about Carleton's enduring imprint on his life. Campbell tells the story of how he and some fellow classmates lobbied for the inclusion of Africa in Carleton's study abroad program, of which he was part of the first group of students to travel there. After a harrowing medical crisis in France, Campbell recalls his near-death experience and its impact on dealing with his mother's death and his personal philosophy. Finally, Campbell talks about transitioning from college to the working world and how he moved from working for the Urban League to Mayor Richard J. Daley's administration to WLS-Channel 7 in Chicago. Bill Campbell recalls his first jobs during and immediately after graduating from Carleton College and returning to Chicago. President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society programs provided a multitude of opportunities for young African Americans. Bill Campbell was one of those young graduates who joined the "Model Cities" program, which placed him on the path to his future sucess. He recounts his desire to work in broadcast television and how he siezed the opportunity. After more than 23 years in broadcast journalism, Campbell reflects on the state of African Americans in and on the media. He also discusses the importance of spirituality in guiding his life and hopes his legacy will be one of love and service.

65 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)