Cover Story
kind·ness noun
Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are words that are associated with kindness. Being kind often requires courage and strength.
TREMAINE BROWN STANDS OUTSIDE OF SHI LEE’S, THE RESTAURANT THAT HE OWNS AND OPERATES WITH HIS MOTHER, CHARLOTTE BROWN.
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AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM • JANUARY 2021
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A Thousand Blessings By Jason Boyett
“I
feel really blessed to be someone else’s blessing,” says Tremaine Brown during a rare day off from Shi Lee’s Barbecue and Soul Food Cafe. He describes himself in humble terms. He’s just a single dad being a good example for his daughter. Just a man out there doing his best. Just “a vessel” trying to do God’s work. What he doesn’t always mention is how extensive that work really is. Tremaine is just one man – a heavily recruited, linebackersized man who played for the University of Texas – but he has been a blessing to literally thousands of Amarillo schoolchildren and families this year. And the year before that. And the year before that. And so on. Thousands. Describing his leadership and community impact as the result of “kindness” doesn’t quite do it justice. Kindness is buying lunch for a stranger. Buying lunch for a thousand strangers requires a bigger word. A better word. An article filled with words. Along with his mother, Charlotte Brown, Tremaine owns and operates Shi Lee’s, a now-legendary restaurant in a tiny building on Southwest Third in a heavily industrial section of Amarillo. Among hungry office workers and the blue-collar set alike, Shi Lee’s has been known for its delicious lunch menu, highlighted by chicken-fried chicken, brisket nachos, catfish and more since it opened in 2010. But for an even larger segment of Amarillo, Shi Lee’s is known for a multi-year streak of incredible generosity. October saw Shi Lee’s Fifth Annual “Trunk or Treat” celebration at Bones Hooks Park, during which Tremaine and his family handed out candy to neighborhood children. November meant giving away 100 boxes of turkeys and sides for Thanksgiving. December brought Shi Lee’s Eighth Annual Christmas Toy Drive, which cumulatively represents more than 400,000 toys and bikes collected and given away to needy families. Beyond these recent events, Shi Lee’s is known for hosting citywide Easter egg hunts, school supply giveaways, events at the park
PHOTOS BY RALPH DUKE
