WILLARD MCCLURE JR.

Director Of Small Business At The California Black Chamber Of Commerce

Mr. Willard McClure Jr. was born on Jan 20, 1961 in Detroit, Michigan, the day President Kennedy was Inaugurated. His Grandma declared that being born on Inauguration Day was proof that he was put here to do great things. He graduated Cum Laude from Touro University International, with a BSBA and MBA.

Mr. McClure is a retired US Army First Sergeant. He served in the US Army for 22 years, as a Radio Teletype Operator, Air Defense Intelligence Specialist, and Patriot Missile Crewmember. After he retired from the Army, he has served as a Federal Investigator at the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity in San Francisco, and as Civil Rights Program Manager at the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, CA Division Office. Currently he is the Director of Small Business at the California Black Chamber of Commerce. In his role at the Chamber, he assists small and microbusinesses with understanding local, State and Federal procurement requirements, registration and certification requirements, and how to identify opportunities, bid, win and successfully complete projects. After serving in the Army and Federal government, working at the Chamber gives him the opportunity to contribute to not just the business community, but to the community as a whole, with the added bonus of assisting the Black community.

Mr. McClure has been married for 32 years to La Von, who is also a soldier and retired Federal employee. They have an English Bulldog named Lizzie

FAVORITES:

OUR CONVERSATION:

Trademark: Funny, the Army teaches us that we are three people, who we are, who we think we are, and who others think we are. I’m typically viewed as the person with the correct answer, that’s always willing to help!

Black woman you admire: My wife La Von, my Grandma, Oprah & Michelle Obama - Resilient, Accomplished, Supportive, Real!

Obstacles Are

What is SEXY about a woman and what is NOT: I think sexy equals being as pretty on the inside, as you are on the outside! By contrast, negativity, not being goal oriented, and being angry at the world are totally unsexy traits!

Best work day strategy: The day isn’t over until I’m ready for the next work or duty day! Refusing to lower the standard, even if I’m tired! When things are going wrong, find someone doing something right!

Book: Black Fortunes by Shomari Wills, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, The Forty Million Dollar Slaves by William C. Rhoden, and The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois to name a few favorites. I’m an avid reader.

Cologne: None! If you wear cologne in the field, the bugs will have you for breakfast, lunch & dinner!

On who cooks the best: My wife cooks the best EVERYTHING! She’s the Black Martha Stewart!

Greatest achievement: Being inducted to the Sergeant Morales Club in Europe - an exclusive group of the top 1% of Army Noncommissioned Officers. Winning the Ranger Challenge Competition at Cal Poly after BYU had won the title for 15 consecutive years! The Cal Poly Mustangs halted that winning streak!

Did you have a mentor and who helped shape your values in life? My Grandma and Uncle Andrew taught me to be honest, courageous, and candid! To always remember that I’m the Captain of my destiny!

Defining a Black man in leadership: I think leadership is leadership! I’m an Army First Sergeant, leadership is the ability to influence others to accomplish the mission by providing purpose, direction and motivation while accomplishing the mission, and maintaining the dignity of the soldiers! I have been led, and led people from all races and walks of life. When people are trying to kill you, no one cares what color you are!

I am COMMITTED to: Bettering our communities, businesses! Mediocrity cannot be the standard!

Slogan you live by: “Obstacles are what you see, when your eyes are off your goal!

Best advice for young black men trying to find their way to succeed in school, pursue a career, avoid gang/gun violence, overcome substance abuse or suicide/depression: Draft a plan, post it, do it, celebrate the small victories, move to the next step in the plan! Repeat and never relax!

What do you like about Sacculturalhub.com & THE HUB Magazine? The owner, content and THE HUB’s total commitment to Black people and people in general! Pleshette is among the most amazing, supportive people I’ve met since coming to Sacramento! n

On GOOD HEALTH MATTERS:

Do you see the doctor for annual exams? Yes, as much as I don’t like going, my wife ensures that I comply.

Do you exercise at least 3 days a week? I think you should move your body daily! Yes, 3 days a week is better than zero, but the key to being fit is the FITT principle; Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type of activity! If you’re running or walking and talking to your friends as you exercise, you’re not training, you’re talking! In the Army we use the “Talk Test!” If the soldiers are talking it means we’re not running fast enough! We have a gym in our house. I have a five day program that includes 30-45 minute tread climber walks and strength training sessions. I supplement them by washing the cars, and doing the lawn myself.

Do you see the need to change your diet plan and if so share with how this has helped you with maintaining and/or improving your overall health? I’m a pretty disciplined eater. At Army Master Fitness School we learned to eat like a King for breakfast, a Prince for lunch, and a Pauper for dinner! And not to eat within 4 hours of going to bed. I maintain those principles today. I can still fit my Army Dress Blues!