How McDonald’s empowered black America (but it’s complicated) with Dr. Marcia Chatelain

“It’s a lot easier to give someone the opportunity to run a business… than to say we’re going to invest in this idea of justice.” – Dr. Marcia Chatelain, Author of Franchise: The Golden Arches In Black America

Overview:

In the season 3 premiere of Innovation for All, Dr. Marcia Chatelain, author of Franchise: The Golden Arches In Black America and professor of History and African American Studies at Georgetown University, explains the complex history of McDonald’s in black America. She explains how the civil rights movement impacted black business ownership and how franchises, like McDonald’s, can be both an economic win and financially limiting for low-income communities.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How the civil rights movement impacted the growth of McDonald’s in black America
  • How McDonald’s utilized black-centered marketing strategies to fuel advertisements
  • The pros and cons to working in a franchise
  • How the fast food industry was seen as a win for low-income communities initially
  • How black-run McDonald’s franchises pooled resources to benefit the community
  • The differences of how white and black America viewed McDonald’s and its impact on advertising
  • How racist systems use black entrepreneurship as a way to avoid addressing racism
  • COVID-19: Challenges to the food justice movement and what environmental racism is
  • What are the limits of the private sector in COVID-19?
  • Experience and complexities of black franchise owners
  • How to reframe historical storytelling to highlight the community rather than the business

Links and mentions:

Connect with Marcia:

Take a seat: Helping women of color advance their careers with Minda Harts

“The statistics show that women of color are the most educated group in the United States right now, but yet we are not reflected in senior roles in Fortune 500 companies or some of the top nonprofit organizations.”
– Minda Harts, Founder of The Memo LLC

Minda Harts is the author of The Memo: What Women Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table. In this episode of the Innovation For All podcast, Minda describes why “Lean In” didn’t resonate with her workplace experience. Learn how women of color can break through workplace barriers and have a more active voice in their careers.

In this episode you’ll learn

  • What career growth for women of color means
  • Minda’s take on the book Lean In
  • Things that women of color need to be doing to advance their careers
  • Should women of color practice self-advocacy more? 
  • How to obtain and secure a seat at the table
  • What the experience for women of color is in the workplace 
  • Leading Diverse Talent course: Talent Development
  • Networking and career advice from Minda

Links and Mentions

More about Minda

Minda Harts, the founder of The Memo LLC, a digital career education platform dedicated helping women of color climb the corporate ladder. She  is also an assistant professor at NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Minda was also chosen by the General Assembly to serve as one of their Dream Mentors, alongside women like Cindy Gallop. Secure The Seat is her weekly career podcast for women of color.