What do Nicki Minaj, Chris Rock, and Jonathan Majors all have in common? Here’s a hint - Let’s just say they weren’t always swimming in it.
These celebrities all worked at the iconic Red Lobster. From the irresistible Cheddar Bay Biscuits and popcorn shrimp, to the seafood feasts that allowed us to eat to our hearts’ content, Red Lobster gave us timeless memories. To truly understand this magical allure, we must travel back in time, long before Red Lobster even existed.
Saturday night fish fries were a cherished tradition on Southern slave plantations. This custom spread across the country during the Great Migration, eventually moving to Friday nights when discounted fish prices made the fresh catch even harder to resist.
The first Red Lobster location opened in Lakeland, Florida in 1968 - perfect timing as many restaurants still discriminated against us. But Beverly Boatwright, the leader of the local NAACP, noticed something different.
The establishment was “always very open and receptive to us,” Boatwright recalled. “We never had a problem at Red Lobster..” Its welcoming atmosphere contributed to us being comfortable enough to make this part of our Friday night family tradition, and we helped Red Lobster grow to over 700 locations nationwide at its peak.
While the seafood chain has had to close many of its locations this year, Red Lobster brought us cherished moments and we helped fuel its decades of success. Where we channel our power and money, we reap the benefits, allowing us to all eat at the table of liberation with its endless possibilities.