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How a Chicago Father Inspired His Daughter to Build a Business Legacy

For Father’s Day weekend, the Chicago Defender highlights distinguished Black men from our city who are outstanding dads. How’s this for an early lesson on entrepreneurship that one Chicago dad passed on to his daughter? Jamee Denman was around seven years old when her father, James, started a business and named it after her. It […]
The post How a Chicago Father Inspired His Daughter to Build a Business Legacy first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 year ago

June 18, 2023

Chicago Defender Staff

For Father’s Day weekend, the Chicago Defender highlights distinguished Black men from our city who are outstanding dads.

How’s this for an early lesson on entrepreneurship that one Chicago dad passed on to his daughter?

Jamee Denman was around seven years old when her father, James, started a business and named it after her. It was called Jamee’s Italian Beef & Pizza.

“I remember being in school, and my dad used to bring the flyers to school to advertise, and it was named after me,” said the now 26-year-old Jamee in the back office of a shoe store she co-owns. “The kids used to ask questions like, ‘So this is your restaurant?’ and I’m just like, ‘Yeah.’”

“But I don’t think I fully understood how important it was or how big of a deal it was,” she said.

For Jamee, however, that early lesson would eventually take root and become a compelling example of how a father can model positive behaviors for his child to follow.

“I was always trying to do something to represent my daughter and to bring some generational wealth,” James said.

Putting her name on Jamee’s Italian Beef & Pizza was to “inspire her to want to be an entrepreneur one day.”

It worked.

Fulfilling the Legacy

James knew early on that he wanted to model business ownership for Jamee just like his parents and grandparents did for him.

He credits his success to being raised in a two-parent household where both parents worked for the United States Postal Service. But they were also business owners, as were his grandparents.

“My grandfather and my grandma owned restaurants throughout the Chicago area,” said James. “Then my dad had restaurants and grocery stores throughout the Chicago area.”

“So it was just like generation to generation, and then here I come just fulfilling the legacy.”

As is Jamee.

The current iteration of that legacy is Jamee and James owning four businesses jointly — two Harold’s Chicken locations and two Sneakerville 88 stores. They opened the second Sneakerville 88 location in Hyde Park in May.

In case you didn’t know, Harold’s Chicken is a Chicago staple like deep dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches and Garrett’s Popcorn. It’s a known quantity. Plus, there are over 40 Harold’s locations in seven states with different franchisees.

But the Denmans’ Sneakerville 88, which sells rare and collectible sneakers, is their unique venture. It’s a business they want to benefit not only their family but other minority business owners. The goal is to franchise out or do license agreements with those who want to get into the sneaker business.

“I know within our community there are a lot of people interested in opening a shoe store, so if we can give them the blueprint and give them a head start on what to do and how to do it, we can have more entrepreneurs in our community,” said Jamee.

“So with me being able to crack the code, I want to be able to share it with other people,” James added.

Another Vital Lesson Learned

As for James’s first business, the one he named after his daughter, he closed that a while ago. But its closure served as another vital lesson Jamee learned — entrepreneurship’s good and challenging aspects.

“I just know that things might not work on the first go-round,” Jamee said. “And that’s why I’m not afraid to start businesses, and end them, and then start something else and try again because it’s just not set in stone that everything will work.

“But something will work eventually, whatever you’re trying to do if you can stay consistent with it.”

The post How a Chicago Father Inspired His Daughter to Build a Business Legacy appeared first on Chicago Defender.

The post How a Chicago Father Inspired His Daughter to Build a Business Legacy first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org