Black History Salute: Herman Petty

Don Thompson, left, President McDonald's USA, shares a laugh with Herman Petty, McDonald's first African-American franchisee, at the grand reopening of McDonald's first African-American owned restaurant Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 on Chicago's south side. The newly remodeled restaurant was opened by Petty in 1968, and is reopening under the leadership of the Black McDonald's Operators Association of Chicago operator Yolanda Travis.

A goal I set for everyday is to learn something new everyday. Today I had the pleasure of learning something truly amazing and inspiring. While having a very in=depth conversation about wealth with my Grandmother, she taught me about a man by the name of Herman Petty. Considering his significance in not only Chicago but the world all Black people who enjoy anything at McDonalds should know about Mr. Petty.

After the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr major cities like Chicago, Detroit, LA etc, all were victim of Arson and looting. It appeared Blacks everywhere had reached their peak with the injustice in this Country. Recognizing the need to address this problem, the Mcdonalds corporation offered a Franchise to a black man. The recipient of opportunity Herman Petty. Opening his first restaurant December 21st, 1968 on 67th and Stony Island on the Southside of Chicago. Mr. Petty went on to own numerous other McDonalds locations and was a founding member of the NBMOA (National Black McDonald's Operators Association).

Learn something New everyday.

NBMOA.org

aaregistry.com

Comments

Salute 2 The Real: Helen Hawkins

Helen Hawkins is a well respected educator in Chicago. She not only is the founder of Olive Harvey Middle College (A school designed to help Chicago Public high school dropouts earn a Diploma and not a GED) but she also started the Grammar school that I graduated from. Triumphant Charter School used to be located at 4935 S. Seeley in the Back of The Yards neighborhood on Chicago's southside. It modeled the makeup and philosophy of Olive Harvey Middle College, with it's mixed classes of 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders. Instead of being called a "Student" every child was referred to as a "Scholar", and treated as such. The atmosphere of the school was more like a family re-uniting everyday than attending school. And just like every family has a "Mother", Ms. Hawkins was ours. Ms. Hawkins was Sweet, but tough and she always let you know she was In-Charge. Last week I was invited to a Group on Facebook "Ms. Helen Hawkins Saved MY LIFE. What about you?...