More than his ad “More Parks Sausage Mom!” “Please” Henry G. Parks was a man before his time. Pioneering the American free enterprise system he embarked on a journey leading to a multimillion dollar industry. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia to domestic parents and a maternal grandmother who instilled and taught him the bible. A few month after his birth, Park's Sr. relocated his family to Dayton, Ohio, the first state across the Mason-Dixon Line, seeking better job opportunities. During the depression and two more children, times were hard and Parks, Sr.'s wife joined him in the workforce. Together they were able to hold the family together.
Henry and his sisters attended segregated primary schools and integrated high schools. Henry read profusely and studied hard graduating Roosevelt High School with honors but to the resentment of his Dad. The family had no idea Henry Jr. had plans to attend college. He worked a year at several jobs, one the hotel his father was a bartender, washing dishes and taking out the trash. He saved his money to entered Ohio State University College of Commerce. Never knowing at matriculation that the money he worked so hard, and was sending home for his parents to save for him was being spent to support the family household. Without money to pay tuition he pursued scholarships and more work he matriculated one year later in 1935.
After many endeavors inbusiness, a number runner in Baltimore forwards the capital and becomes a silent partner. Henry, Jr's idea for a pork sausage manufacturing plant became a reality in 1951. Henry opened the H.G. Parks, Inc. trading as Parks Sausage. With strong, aggressive leadership, brilliant marketing and advertising, Henry Jr. built a business that never had a losing year.
Henry's success caught the attention of some of the leading corporate boards inthis country along with nation organizations, city, state, and federal leaders. They sought to bring him aboard to share his knowledge, leadership skill, and ability with other leading American business, government and non-profit leaders.
In 1969 the company became the first black-owned company to trade on Wall Street. This publicity made him a highly visible businessman who was African American. Directors from major corporations invited him to serve on their board of directors, and the city of Baltimore urged him to run city council and he became a communications bridge to white America. He accepted civic responsibility but always said “I am a businessman first”.
