From Begole Street to Ford's C-Suite: An American Success Story - Hardcover

Hall, Elliott S.: - Elliott Sawyer Hall was born on May 1, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, to Ethel Burton Hall and Odis Hall, who migrated from the South in 1918. Raised on Detroit's West Side in a close-knit family of eight children, Elliott was deeply influenced by the values of Christian faith, integrity, education, and family, as well as the strong African American leaders in his community.A proud graduate of Chadsey High School, where he was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" for his commanding presence and oratorical gifts, Elliott went on to earn both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from Wayne State University.His distinguished legal and corporate career spans over six decades. In the public sector, he served as Chief Assistant Prosecutor for Wayne County and Law Director for the City of Detroit. In private practice, he was a partner at Dykema Gossett, Hall & Andary, and Hall, Stone, Allen & Archer. A champion of legal access, he co-founded Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan and served as President of both the Detroit Bar Association and the Wolverine Bar Association.In 1987, Elliott made history as the first African American officer of Ford Motor Company. As Vice President of Washington Affairs for eleven years, he directed the company's legislative strategy. He later became Vice President of Dealer Development, significantly expanding the Minority and Women Dealer Network and leaving a lasting legacy of equity in the automotive industry before retiring in 2002. Today, into his late eighties, he continues to practice law as a sole practitioner, dedicated to serving his beloved Detroit community.Throughout his life, Elliott has been deeply committed to civic, educational, and cultural institutions. In Washington, D.C., he co-founded the Committee on Public Education, served as a Trustee for D.C. Public Schools, and served on the boards of Georgetown University, Clark Atlanta University, and Howard University Hospital (as Chairman). A passionate patron of the arts, he held board positions with the Washington Performing Arts Society (Chairman), the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts (Chairman), among many others.Nationally, Elliott served as Treasurer of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Chairman of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, and President of the Detroit Branch of the NAACP. His contributions to American history are permanently preserved in The HistoryMakers, the nation's largest African American video oral history archive.Among his numerous accolades are the Detroit Urban League Distinguished Warrior Award and the Wayne State University Law School Alumni Wall of Fame Award. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Guardsmen, and The Association of Detroit.Above all, Elliott's greatest devotion is to his family, friends, and the countless people whose lives he has touched. His generosity of spirit, unwavering support for those in need, and his ability to bring warmth to every space remain unparalleled. He is married to Shirley Robinson Hall and is the father of three children-Fred Hall, Dr. Lannis Hall (married to John Antes), and Tiffany Hall, Esq. (married to John Rhea)-and grandfather to six cherished grandchildren: Erik Daniels, Ella Daniels, Camryn Hall, Dylan Hall, Logan Hall, and Theodore Hall Rhea.Elliott Sawyer Hall's life continues to stand as a testament to leadership, service, and love for his community. His legacy is not only enduring-it is living, evolving, and inspiring future generations.Atkins, Elizabeth Ann: - Elizabeth Ann Atkins is a best-selling author, an Emmy-nominated TV host, actress, and journalist who teaches how to unlock one's infinite potential to live and love in peace and purpose. Elizabeth created and hosts The Goddess Power Show with Elizabeth Ann Atkins(R), a podcast and YouTube channel exploring provocative topics to empower women to live bigger, better and bolder. Elizabeth and her sister Catherine M. Greenspan created Two Sisters Writing and Publishing(R), which has written and published 60 memoirs, novels, business books, poetry books, and journals since its creation in 2016. Elizabeth and Catherine have written and published dozens of books, including their mother's book, The Triumph of Rosemary: A Memoir, by Judge Marylin E. Atkins, which is being developed into a screenplay that will be shopped to Hollywood for a feature film. Their mother wrote the book herself, chronicling her controversial, interracial marriage to former Roman Catholic Priest Thomas Lee Atkins. Elizabeth has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Michigan. She has been a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, NPR, and many other programs. As America's Book Coach, she helps aspiring authors achieve their dreams of becoming published authors. The bestselling author of 40 books, Elizabeth also co-hosts MI Healthy Mind, a weekly, Emmy-nominated TV show aiming to shatter the stigma of mental illness, addiction, and abuse. She is also a certified meditation teacher, a certified fitness trainer and a wellness advocate.