Interview, Frank McElrath

Frank McElrath (b. 1932) was born in Caretta, West Virginia. He graduated from the State College of West Virginia with a degree in chemistry in 1953. After college, McElrath found work as an organic chemist at Kodak before being drafted into the United States Army for two years. He returned to Kodak in 1968 and then later started his own company, PA Plastics, which specialized in custom plastics thermo-forming. McElrath participated in Rochester politics, serving as Committeeman of the 7th Ward, Assistant Ward Leader, and as a member of the Non-Partisan League of Rochester.

In this interview, McElrath discusses housing discrimination in Rochester and the tension between the city’s black community and its police department. He also offers business advice to aspiring black business owners.