Michael A. Battle (Finding Aid)

Michael A. Battle

1950 -

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Salmon

Favorite Time of Year: Autumn

Favorite Vacation Spot: Gambia and Senegal

Interview Length: 111 minutes

Interview Date(s): March 22, 2004

Interview Location(s): Interdenominational Theological Center; Atlanta, Georgia

Abstract

Interdenominational Theological Center president Michael A. Battle talks about his parents' background in Mississippi and shares his own childhood memories of growing up in St. Louis, Missouri in the 1950s. Dr. Michael A. Battle, president of Interdenominational Theological Center, talks about growing up in a nurturing, close-knit African American neighborhood in St. Louis Missouri, in the 1950s and 1960s. He discussses the destructive myths about black neighborhoods and the segregated black schools at that time, and examines the deterioration of black communities in the years since his own youth. He recalls his experiences at school and church and mentions some individual church folks who had a positive influence on him and other youth. Interdenominational Theological Center president Michael A. Battle talks about his adolescence including influential teachers and experiences at Soledad High School in St. Louis, Missouri and at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut . He also talks about extracurricular activities including his volunteer work with the African American community in Hartford. Dr. Michael A. Battle talks about his career--twenty years as chaplain at Hampton University, followed by vice-president jobs at Virginia State and Chicago State, and then the presidency of Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He also discusses his family and reflects on his accomplishments and his personal philosophy.

25 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)