Overview

Gen. Larry Spencer, USAF (Ret.) was born and raised on the Horseshoe--a tough inner-city street in southeast Washington D.C. The Horseshoe was a hard neighborhood where fights were common, and the school systems were second-rate. The expectations of living in an all-Black neighborhood were to be good at sports while shunning academic prowess. That environment resulted in poor self-esteem and a bleak outlook for the future. Quite by chance, Spencer enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he continued to struggle with the racial turmoil of the 1970s. As a very young first lieutenant, he was assigned to a tough job in the Pentagon, but Spencer earned an early reputation as a fast burner. Spencer went on to serve at the White House, and then successfully commanded a Group and a Wing before being assigned as the chief financial officer (comptroller) for Air Combat Command. During that assignment, Spencer was promoted to brigadier general and was tasked to set up a new Directorate at Air Force Materiel Command. Spencer later returned to the Pentagon where he led Air Force Budget. He ultimately became the Air Force's thirty-seventh vice chief of staff, making him one of only nine African Americans promoted to four stars. Spencer concludes his historic climb with life lessons learned on his journey from the inner city to the Pentagon.

Full Product Details

9798212263887

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Gen. Larry O. Spencer, USAF (Ret.), was born and raised in Washington D.C. Spencer enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1971, completed his bachelor of science degree, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1980. Spencer quickly climbed the ranks, culminating as the thirty-seventh vice chief of staff of the Air Force. He then became president of the Air Force Association and he is now president of the Armed Forces Benefit Association/5Star Life Insurance Company. Born in Chicago, Calvin Robinson always had a fondness for reading and public speaking. Joining the US Army at the age of eighteen, he traveled the world learning from and with diverse cultures. That experience shapes his worldview that above all things people desire to be understood. Calvin has worked in the religious field in various roles: radio personality, conference director, public speaker, and finally pastor of a small church less than three miles from the place he was bred in Chicago. Besides this work, he is energized by serving people with special needs. Curious by nature, over the years Calvin has flourished into a generalist, knowledgeable in a wide array of subjects, most of which informs his present work as a pastor. Calvin's approachable style, soothing voice, and command of many subjects gives listeners the confidence to journey with him as he communicates, informs, and entertains.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available