“My father said that every child ought to know how to do certain things. And on that list was music. Every child, in my father’s estimation, should learn how to play the piano, and then should learn another musical instrument.” So begins the story of Dr. Harold A. Black’s life in music. He learned piano, clarinet, and saxophone. Harold says his experience in his high school marching band, more than anything else, shaped his love of music. His extraordinary band director taught him about excellence, precision, and discipline. Harold pursued finance and higher education as a career. But he never lost his love of music. Jazz is a particular area of interest of his, as he boasts an enormous collection of classic jazz recordings. Harold is now retired from a distinguished career in economics, finance, research and teaching. He enjoys serving in civic organizations, hunting and riding his motorcycle.
Here is Dr. Black’s biography from the University of Tennessee’s website:
Harold A. Black is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Dr. Black, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the Ohio State University. He lectures, consults and publishes extensively in the areas of financial institutions and the monetary system. His articles have appeared in publications such as the American Economic Review, Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Journal of Finance, Journal of Banking and Finance, Southern Economic Journal, Journal of Financial Research and the Journal of Monetary Economics. His consulting clients include SunTrust Bank, Chrysler Financial Corporation, National Bank of Commerce, National Credit Union Administration, Branch Banking and Trust Company, and the Mortgage Bankers of America.
Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Tennessee, he served on the faculties of American University, Howard University, the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and the University of Florida. His government service includes being Deputy Director, Department of Economic Research and Analysis, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and Board Member, National Credit Union Administration. He has served as a Director and Chairman of the Nashville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Among his honors, he is recipient of the Department of Treasury’s Special Achievement Award, the National Urban League’s Outstanding Service Award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Georgia’s College of Business Administration, the National Credit Union Administration’s Exceptional Service Award, and the Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Black was awarded the 2001 John B. Ross Teaching Award for excellence in teaching and is listed in Who’s Who Among Black Americans and Who’s Who Worldwide. Dr. Black writes an occasional article for the Knoxville News Sentinel and blogs at HaroldBlack.blogspot.com.