Clarence Otis Jr.

I grew up in a tough neighborhood. I was born in '56, and the riots were in '65. I can still see the National Guard, with bayonets at the end of their rifles. I remember when I was in high school being pulled over by the police, guns drawn, told to get on the ground. There were elements of a police state. But if you were bright, you had a lot of people heavily invested in making sure you had opportunity. My parents were very achievement-oriented and believed you could become whatever you wanted to be. I always believed major companies had significant leverage and that they could make profound differences. So if you had the ability to shape the direction of a major company, then you could make a social difference.