Oral history interview with John W. Rogers Jr., 2022
Abstract
John Rogers reflects on his career in financial services and public affairs in Chicago, and discusses his relationships with Barack and Michelle Obama. Rogers speaks widely about the community in which he was raised, his personal and professional mentors and influences, and the significance of his experience on the Princeton basketball team, on which he was teammates for one season with Craig Robin son. He recounts the founding of Ariel Investments (formerly Ariel Capital Management), considers the importance of minority-controlled firms, and describes his efforts in Chicago's African American communities to improve financial literacy and increase stock market participation. Rogers also shares memories of his relationships with Barack and Michelle Obama, and provides details about his role as a fundraiser for Obama's political campaigns; Obama's development as a political candidate; and the networks and communities that formed the basis of Obama's political support. Rogers also emphasizes his long-time support for African American business, and explains the historical significance of major community institutions working with African American firms and professionals. Also discussed are Rogers' service on Obama's first inaugural committee, Rogers' family history, the importance of basketball in Rogers' life and professional networks, and certain of Obama's legislative initiatives in the Illinois Senate
Presidents--United States; Fund raising--Political aspects--United States; Presidential campaigns--United States; African American business enterprises--United States; African American businesspeople; Financial literacy--Study and teaching--United States; Rogers, John W., Jr., 1958-; Obama, Barack; Obama, Michelle, 1964-; Ariel Investments
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2022
Physical Description
47 pages
Note (Biographical)
John Rogers is an American businessman and community leader in Chicago, Illinois. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Ariel Investments (previously Ariel Capital Management), the largest minority-owned investment firm. Rogers played college basket ball at Princeton University, where he was a teammate of Craig Robinson, the older brother of Michelle Obama (née Robinson), for the 1979-80 season. Rogers is a longtime friend of Barack and Michelle Obama, and he served as a fundraiser and volunteer for multiple of Obama's political campaigns, and on Obama's first inaugural committee
Note
Interviewed by Jacqueline Stewart on March 4, 2022. This interview is part of the University of Chicago: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
John W. Rogers Jr., Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023