Think Black: A Memoir of Sacrifice, Success, and Self-Loathing in Corporate America

First days -- A sacrificial pawn -- The bones of the machine -- The book of changes -- Voices of the dead -- To speak of rivers -- Honeypot traps -- Twice as hard -- The arrangement -- Doing small things in a great way -- Covert ops -- The king is dead -- Clandestine service -- A mass shooting at IBM -- The egg -- Leaving -- Long walks -- Epilogue: The words of a poet.;"In 1946, John Stanley Ford was hired as the IBM's first black software engineer. But many of the company's white employees refused to accept a black colleague and did everything in their power to humiliate, subvert, and undermine Ford. Yet Ford would not quit, recognizing that he had an obligation to his race as a "first." Instead, he comported himself with dignity and professionalism, and relied on his community to succeed. While Ford remained at IBM, it came at great emotional cost to himself and his family, especially his son, Clyde. Overlooked for promotions he deserved, the embittered Ford began blaming his fate on his skin color, which painfully divided him and Clyde, who followed him to IBM two decades later. From his first day of work, Clyde made clear he was different. Only IBM hadn't changed. As he, too, experienced the same institutional racism, Clyde began to better understand the subtle yet daring ways his father had fought back. It is a story of how a son came to appreciate his father and the sacrifices he made." --;"The story of America's first Black engineer, his revolutionary son, and the corporation that destroyed their relationship"-- "Powerful memoir. . .Ford's thought-provoking narrative tells the story of African-American pride and perseverance." #8211;Publisher's Weekly (Starred) "A masterful storyteller, Ford interweaves his personal story with the backdrop of the social movements unfolding at that time, providing a revealing insider's view of the tech industry. . . simultaneously informative and entertaining. . . A powerful, engrossing look at race and technology." #8211;Kirkus Review (Starred) In this thought-provoking and heartbreaking memoir, an award-winning writer tells the story of his father, John Stanley Ford, the first black software engineer at IBM, revealing how racism insidiously affected his father's view of himself and their relationship. In 1947, Thomas J. Watson set out to find the best and brightest minds for IBM. At City College he met young accounting student John Stanley Ford and hired him to become IBM's first black software engineer. But not all of the company's white employees refused to accept a black colleague and did everything in their power to humiliate, subvert, and undermine Ford. Yet Ford would not quit. Viewing the job as the opportunity of a lifetime, he comported himself with dignity and professionalism, and relied on his community and his "street smarts" to succeed. He did not know that his hiring was meant to distract from IBM's dubious business practices, including its involvement in the Holocaust, eugenics, and apartheid. While Ford remained at IBM, it came at great emotional cost to himself and his family, especially his son Clyde. Overlooked for promotions he deserved, the embittered Ford began blaming his fate on his skin color and the notion that darker-skinned people like him were less intelligent and less capable#8212;beliefs that painfully divided him and Clyde, who followed him to IBM two decades later. From his first day of work#8212;with his wide-lapelled suit, bright red turtleneck, and huge afro#8212;Clyde made clear he was different. Only IBM hadn't changed. As he, too, experienced the same institutional racism, Clyde began to better understand the subtle yet daring ways his father had fought back In This Thought-provoking And Heartbreaking Memoir, An Award-winning Writer Tells The Story Of His Father, John Stanley Ford, The First Black Software Engineer At Ibm, Revealing How Racism Insidiously Affected His Father’s View Of Himself And Their Relationship. In 1947, Thomas J. Watson Set Out To Find The Best And Brightest Minds For Ibm. At City College He Met Young Accounting Student John Stanley Ford And Hired Him To Become Ibm’s First Black Software Engineer. But Not All Of The Company’s White Employees Refused To Accept A Black Colleague And Did Everything In Their Power To Humiliate, Subvert, And Undermine Ford. Yet Ford Would Not Quit. Viewing The Job As The Opportunity Of A Lifetime, He Comported Himself With Dignity And Professionalism, And Relied On His Community And His “street Smarts” To Succeed. He Did Not Know That His Hiring Was Meant To Distract From Ibm’s Dubious Business Practices, Including Its Involvement In The Holocaust, Eugenics, And Apartheid. While Ford Remained At Ibm, It Came At Great Emotional Cost To Himself And His Family, Especially His Son Clyde. Overlooked For Promotions He Deserved, The Embittered Ford Began Blaming His Fate On His Skin Color And The Notion That Darker-skinned People Like Him Were Less Intelligent And Less Capable—beliefs That Painfully Divided Him And Clyde, Who Followed Him To Ibm Two Decades Later. From His First Day Of Work—with His Wide-lapelled Suit, Bright Red Turtleneck, And Huge Afro—clyde Made Clear He Was Different. Only Ibm Hadn’t Changed. As He, Too, Experienced The Same Institutional Racism, Clyde Began To Better Understand The Subtle Yet Daring Ways His Father Had Fought Back. Think Black Includes 10-20 Black-and-white Photos. "In 1946, John Stanley Ford was hired as the IBM's first black software engineer. But many of the company's white employees refused to accept a black colleague and did everything in their power to humiliate, subvert, and undermine Ford. Yet Ford would not quit, recognizing that he had an obligation to his race as a "first." Instead, he comported himself with dignity and professionalism, and relied on his community to succeed. While Ford remained at IBM, it came at great emotional cost to himself and his family, especially his son, Clyde. Overlooked for promotions he deserved, the embittered Ford began blaming his fate on his skin color, which painfully divided him and Clyde, who followed him to IBM two decades later. From his first day of work, Clyde made clear he was different. Only IBM hadn't changed. As he, too, experienced the same institutional racism, Clyde began to better understand the subtle yet daring ways his father had fought back. It is a story of how a son came to appreciate his father and the sacrifices he made."-- publisher's description First days -- A sacrificial pawn -- The bones of the machine -- The book of changes -- Voices of the dead -- To speak of rivers -- Honey pot traps -- Twice as hard -- The arrangement -- Doing small things in a great way -- Covert ops -- The king is dead -- Clandestine service -- A mass shooting at IBM -- The egg -- Leaving -- Long walks -- Epilogue: The words of a poet "The story of America's first Black engineer, his revolutionary son, and the corporation that destroyed their relationship"-- Provided by publisher