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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF WALTER LEE BROOKS
WHEREAS, Walter Lee Brooks was born June 2, 1941 in Greenville, Mississippi to Amelia and Donald Brooks, and like many blacks at that time, they migrated to the westside of Chicago, where he attended Bryant Elementary school and eventually graduated from Harrison High School in 1960; and
WHEREAS, Walter was baptized at New Jerusalem MB Church under the late Rev. Lloyd Johnson, where he sang in the church choir and later served as a Deacon; and
WHEREAS, after graduating high school, Walter enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia; During his time in the Army, Walter served as the head cook, and provided security detail during the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, after leaving the Army, Walter returned to Chicago, and began work at the Black Giant. Over the next few years, he would use his leadership skills to become the first black chef kitchen manager of Jewel, and eventually the first black general manager of Jack in the Box; and
WHEREAS always striving to further himself and other people of color, Walter opened his first grocery store, The Mad Butcher, in the early 70's on the west side of Chicago. His visionary and pioneering spirit eventually led to opening Eat & Run restaurant next to his grocery store, and in the early 80's he relocated to the Southside of Chicago, where he was able to place both businesses under one roof; and
WHEREAS, Walter always focused on training, teaching, and uplifting the black community. He had a statement that said "No One Will Help Us, But Us, the answer is Black Businesses means Black Jobs." This moto served as a driving force in his constant desire to expand and grow his business, while training the youth and hiring many of those who were considered unemployable; and
WHEREAS, in the early 90's, Walter was selling more chicken than "The Colonel," so he self-proclaimed himself "The General." The General would go on to successfully open Ea...
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