business Archives - DavidTarver.com

August 10, 2026August 10, 2026business, entrepreneurship, family, technology

Fifty Years Ago Today – A Reflection

On August 9, 1976, I began my professional career at AT&T Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, New Jersey. Bell Labs, as it was called, was probably the best place in the world for an electrical engineer to begin a career.

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025business, community, education, entrepreneurship, U-M

Livin’ for the City – Fall 2025 Edition

I couldn’t let this edition of my Innovation for Urban Impact class pass into the sunset without recapping the Urban Experience Tour of Detroit that my students and I enjoyed together.

April 24, 2025April 24, 2025business, entrepreneurship, U-M

Innovation for Urban Impact: A Milestone

Ten years after its inception, the Urban Entrepreneurship course at University of Michigan has now achieved “regular” course status. The course will henceforth be known as Innovation for Urban Impact, ENTR 419.

July 31, 2024August 1, 2024business, entrepreneurship, U-M

Seeking Urban Entrepreneur Partners for my U-M class

Here we go again! We’re gearing up for the 2024/25 academic year at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and I’m once again seeking Urban Entrepreneur Partners to work with my students.

David Tarver at reunion of Bell Labs colleagues

July 7, 2024July 8, 2024business, events, family, people, travel, U-M

June 2024 – A month of colleague reunions

The month of June, 2024 has turned out to be a time for reunion with colleagues. One of the most rewarding aspects of a professional career, in my opinion, is the relationships one is able to establish.

May 2, 2024May 2, 2024business, community, entrepreneurship, events, technology

Black Tech Saturdays Workshop – Detroit

I’m honored to be speaking to the the Black Tech Saturdays community this weekend on the subject of Urban Entrepreneurship.

May 2, 2024May 2, 2024business, entrepreneurship, people

Magic and Me

Magic Johnson was a hero to me because of the leadership attributes he displayed on the basketball court. Those attributes transcended the game of basketball, and inspired a young tech company founder – me – to follow his example. I owe the success I achieved in business, at least in part, to the inspiration I received from Magic. That is why, to me, he will always be the G.O.A.T.

April 25, 2024April 25, 2024business, community, education, entrepreneurship, U-M

U-M Urban Entrepreneurship, Winter 2024 Edition – It’s a Wrap!

Well, its that time again – another season of the University of Michigan Urban Entrepreneurship Practicum is now “in the can.” We had a small but mighty class this semester, and the students broke new ground.

April 22, 2024May 9, 2024business, entrepreneurship, technology

A tough lesson from Fred Rosenthal

Last night I learned that someone who was very important in my business life had passed. Fred M. Rosenthal, owner of the first outside marketing agency hired by my company Telecom Analysis Systems (TAS), died last November. He was 90 years old.

November 21, 2023November 21, 2023business, entrepreneurship, technology

Blacks Who Overperform

Black professionals have transformed professional sports and music entertainment. Their overperformance in these fields is amazing, and it stands in stark contrast to much less black advancement in other fields. Why have black folks excelled in sports and music? What lessons can we draw from their success?