doi:10.7916/52fq-7e51Oral history interview with Angella M. Reid, 2021Reid, Angellaoral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesHospitality industry--ManagementVisits of state--United StatesReid, AngellaObama, BarackUnited States. Executive Office of the PresidentWhite House (Washington, D.C.)White House Gardens (Washington, D.C.)Angella Reid discusses her service as director of the executive residence and chief usher from 2011 to 2017 during the presidency of Barack Obama. Reid recounts her upbringing in Jamaica and career in hospitality management, and remembers the serendipitous circumstances by which she learned of the possibility of working in the White House, and interviewed for the position. She describes Barack and Michelle Obama's vision for the residence, outlines the responsibilities and activities of the White House usher's office, and reflects on the work required to ensure that the White House acts as a comfortable residence for the first family, a public monument open to the public, and an event space for West Wing functions and events. Reid provides details about the coordination between the range of government departments and agencies involved in the management of the White House, major events held in the residence, the planning of state visits, and relations between the White House's West Wing and residence. Also discussed are the planting of the White House Kitchen Garden, the design and manufacture of the Obama presidential china, the first family's relationships with residence staff, changes to the residence made by the Obama family, and planning for the 2017 presidential transition, when the Obama family left the White House