Marcia Chatelain

Dr. Marcia Chatelain, Pulitzer-prize winning historian and fast food detective, explores the mysteries of three American franchises that disappeared without a trace. She investigates the rivalry between White Castle and White Tower, the rise and fall of Arthur Treachers fish and chips, and the intriguing story behind the disappearance of Mahalia Jackson's Glory Fried Chicken and Mini Pearl's Chicken.

Dr. Marcia Chatelain, an Africana Studies professor and Pulitzer Prize winner, shares her insights on the complex relationship between McDonald's and Black America. She recounts how the chain served as a community hub in her Chicago childhood and a pathway for Black entrepreneurship. The discussion delves into McDonald's role in desegregation, its strategic shift to invest in Black neighborhoods, and the challenges faced by Black franchisees, including allegations of redlining and ongoing legal battles. Chatelain's reflections highlight McDonald's dual legacy in promoting both opportunity and inequality.

Marcia Chatelain, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Professor of History and African American Studies at Georgetown University, dives deep into the intricate relationship between fast food and African American communities. She discusses how fast food chains have become both economic opportunities and sources of health disparities. The conversation also illuminates the historical ties between fast food and the civil rights movement, critiquing the challenges of addressing systemic issues through capitalism. Chatelain advocates for community empowerment and rethinking food justice in the face of corporate influence.