High Finance Goes Uptown

About the Book

The book attempts to present the perils of the business of banking, particular for minority banks, even in the midst of success. The jealousy and internal strife that prevents not only the institution from achieving its ultimate success but also any business or institution, especially in light of those whose careers are immeasurably linked to that success or failure. The old saying that “a rising tide lifts other boats” is also true in business, with its employees. This book is intended to help others, especially those in other professions, to envision the whole picture and not just see things through their own lenses. To support your staff and encourage them in their performance of their duties proves to be a vital source and determines the quality of its management, its style, and its effectiveness. Any corporate entity needs all of its staff or employees to be on the same page or know the goal of the operation once it is defined. Accordingly, any rewards or attributes for that success must be administered fairly and equally. An ongoing concern should be the primary interest of all parties, especially those in the position of senior officials. I rest my case.

About the Author

Roger L. Smith, a native of South Carolina, the second of five siblings born to Willie and Fredie Smith. He attended Booker T Washington High School in Columbia; S C. and Benjamin E. Mays High in Pacolet, S C. He is a graduate of Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia and the first of his family to attend college. He continued his education with further study at New York University, Farleigh Dickinson University and at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), in Atlanta, Georgia. He was an Explorer Scout and an early activist as he and several friends attempted lunch counter sit-ins at Woolworths’ Department Store in Spartanburg during the formative years of the Civil Rights Movement. His career path led him professionally to positions as Bank President of First Bank, at the tender age of 35 and other key positions in other major banking institutions in major financial centers of the Nation. He has been self-employed since retiring from Banking in 1986 and involved in a number of business ventures and has served as a consultant for Municipalities and private enterprises. He is 33rd degree Prince Hall Mason from St. James Lodge # 4 in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been featured in Black Enterprise and Jet Magazine. He has contributed to a number of articles in other print media publications. Presently as an Ordained Baptist Minister, he has been very active in community affairs forming his own Outreach Ministry, the R L Smith Ministry which serves programs of Mentorship in the Atlanta Elementary Schools and sponsors a reading (A Read N’ Ride) Program and a gardening (A Seed N’ Feed) Program as a teaching tool for 2nd through 5th graders. In addition to that the Ministry is engaged in Prison Ministry, Food and shelter Outreach, Scholarship Programs, Chess Ministry (competition), and Nursing Home programs. These activities are funded by donations to The Foundation of H O P E (Helping Ordinary People Excel), a 501c3 tax exempt non-profit Foundation. His “Calling” to the ministry has enabled him to focus on Kingdom Building and helping others improve their life’s condition through the knowledge of God and to realize God’s plan for them to move beyond the boundaries and periphery of life…to serve this present age.