d-mars.com Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs of Texas
Harry L. Smith 2021 LIVING LEGEND
In 1991, he became a restaurant owner/ operator in the Houston region; until he sold his 7 restaurants to move to Elkhart, Indiana, purchasing 5 restaurants on September 14, 2001.
also provides Christmas toys for children in underprivileged communities, food for those in need, funding for little league teams, also having financed a multiservice center serving families in lowHarry has been recognized with many income areas. awards throughout his restaurant career, If you ask Harry what he is most proud of, he including: will answer with the birth of his 8 children: ● Rookie Owner/Operator of the Year Myasha Smith
H
arry L. Smith is a restaurant owner/operator of 17 restaurants in the Central Division/Indianapolis region. Harry is an OPNAD national marketing representative on behalf of the National NBMOA, OPNAD by-law/process team member, past national value council representative, past Central Division place team lead, past DLC member, past NLC place team (member of LTRS sub-team), chaired a team that developed a white paper that led to better opportunities for operators, past NIO co-op president, past NIO coop ad committee chair, past Indianapolis region RLC chair, past Indianapolis region profit team lead, past 2-term OPNAD representative for the Indianapolis region, past Houston co-op president and past BMOA president Houston Chapter, and he has held several other positions during his restaurant career. Harry began his career in the restaurant business on November 1, 1971, at the age of 16 as a crew member in Dallas, Texas. In 1973, Harry moved to Houston, Texas, to attend Texas Southern University where he continued his career. He went through the ranks as a swing manager, assistant restaurant manager, restaurant manager, supervisor, and director of operations. He became a restaurant manager at the age of 19 and was recognized 6 straight years as “Outstanding Restaurant Manager” by the Houston region and managed the first million dollar restaurant of this brand in Houston.
22
TOP 50 BLACK P&E 2021
● Houston Business Journal’s Entrepreneur of the Year
• McDonald’s Owner/ Operator Indianapolis Region
● Indianapolis Street Fighter Award (2004, 2005, 2007-2009)
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting/Certified Public Accountant
● Sales Milestone Award (2004, 2006, 2008-2013)
• Honors Graduate University of Houston/ Magna Cum Laude Lauren Smith
● Outstanding Operation Award (2005, 2009-2013)
• Graduate University of Houston/ Bachelor of Science
● NBMOA Warrior Award
April Smith
● Indianapolis Region 2009 & 2012 People Award ● Ronald Award Winner (2013)
• Attended Texas Southern University/ Graduated from The Art Institute Angel Smith • Graduate Prairie View University/Bachelor
● Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee’s of Science Degree in Physical Therapy Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Harry Smith III ● State Representative Ron Reynolds’ Community Service Award
• Graduate Texas Southern University/ Bachelor of Science
● Houston Humanitarian Award
Mary Smith
● CORE Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Blacks Today
• Graduate Emory University/ Bachelor of Anthropology • Johns Hopkins University/Master of Public
These awards are just to name a few. In Health and Doctorate of Medicine addition, he is also a lifetime member of Martha Smith the NAACP. Harry started custom home building in Houston in 1994, later founding Hearthstone Homes in 1998. Harry builds homes ranging from $300,000 to over $3 million, achieving great success in the real estate business.
• Graduate Purdue University/ Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Destiny Smith • Graduate Michigan State University/ Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Capital
Harry has only 1 hobby, and anyone who Harry is the founder of the Smith knows Harry, knows that it is the Dallas Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Cowboys! organization that was established in Harry L. Smith 2016 to reach, uplift, support, enhance Owner/Operator the lives, and empower all people to McDonald’s reach their full potential. This foundation Founder & Owner has awarded over $100,000 in Hearthstone Homes scholarships to 27 deserving students, www.hearthstonehomes.net provided school supplies, and equipment Founder for music programs in underprivileged The Smith Foundation, Inc. communities. In addition, the organization www.SmithFoundationInc.com
