Evern Cooper Epps (Finding Aid)

Evern Cooper Epps

Favorite Color: Brown

Favorite Food: Turkey Burgers

Favorite Time of Year: Fall

Favorite Vacation Spot: Annuli, St. Lucia

Interview Length: 97 minutes

Interview Date(s): March 25, 2004, March 25, 2005

Interview Location(s): UPS Headquarters, Atlanta, Georgia

Abstract

Evern Cooper describes her parents' backgrounds, detailing their living conditions while growing up in Arkansas, and recalling stories about her ancestors. Cooper remembers growing up in a strong, nurturing family environment with her parents and three siblings, whom she also describes. She describes her childhood neighborhood in southwest Detroit, where she recalls growing up as a tomboy. Cooper also discusses the values her family held, as well as the positive contribution of the church to her childhood. Evern Cooper continues to describe her childhood growing up in Detroit. She recalls favorite activities and hobbies as a child, which included a love of reading and writing, and an interest in athletics. Cooper discusses her childhood education and describes some influential teachers from junior high and high school. She also provides a detailed description of her childhood neighborhood, and discusses the social and political climate of Detroit during the time she lived there. Cooper then discusses her experience at Michigan State University, which was mostly positive, except for an incident with a racist professor. Cooper describes her time as an exchange student in Toronto while in college, which she says improved her communication skills. She then discusses her first job upon graduation, teaching English classes in Detroit high schools. Evern Cooper describes in detail her period of employment with UPS, which began as a part-time employee. Cooper discusses her rise through the corporate ranks, which included time spent as a truck driver, a position which helped her to learn about every aspect of the company. She then describes her time on UPS's business development team, which eventually led to her appointment as President of the UPS Foundation, a philanthropic division in charge of the company's charitable donations both domestically and abroad. Cooper explains why her current position is so gratifying, and discusses the impact of UPS's service. She also describes her trip to Israel as part of a volunteer exchange program as a momentous occasion in her life. Cooper then considers her legacy, and the role of leadership. Evern Cooper explains why the UPS Foundation has expanded its charity work to focus on international service as well as domestic service, emphasizing a need to improve the conditions of women in developing nations. She then shares her advice about the corporate world to young people, and discusses the importance of preserving the oral history of African Americans. Cooper then describes several photos she has brought to the interview, which depict her life, family, and career.

54 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)