The story of Clarence Otis Jr. - Darden CEO leads Red Lobster and Olive Garden
Categories: African-American, Business, Featured
Written By: Shawn Williams
Chalk this one up to the infinite list of things I didn’t know. Thanks to Rose for the heads up.
The Higher Education of the Nation’s Top African-American Restaurateur
Each week tens of thousands of diners eat at an Olive Garden or Red Lobster restaurant. Few of these diners know that the CEO heading these large restaurant chains is a black man.
Clarence Otis Jr. is the CEO of Darden Restaurants Inc., the largest casual dining operator in the nation. The firm operates nearly 1,400 company-owned restaurants coast to coast serving 300 million meals annually. Darden employs 150,000 workers and has annual revenues of $6 billion.
Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Otis moved to Los Angeles when he was 6 years old. His father was a high school dropout who worked as a janitor.
The family lived in Watts at the time of the 1965 riots. In the post-Watts period, Otis recalls being stopped and questioned by police several times a year because of the color of his skin.
A high school guidance counselor recommended him for a scholarship at Williams College, the highly selective liberal arts institution in Massachusetts. Otis graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Williams and went on to earn a law degree at Stanford.
Otis landed on Wall Street as a merger and acquisitions attorney for J.P. Morgan Securities. He joined Darden Restaurants in 1995 as corporate treasurer. He became CEO in 2004.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Great post. More articles like these must be pushed to the front of the black blogoshpere. We have to make sure our youth know that a bright future can await them.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:27 am
what a great post. i had absolutely NO idea that this man existed. never so much as glimpsed anything on him in any of our magazines.
of course, this makes me wonder about who else is out there that we’ve overlooked…
January 12th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
WOW - now I do not feel so bad about how much I have eaten at Olive Garden! LOL.
Anyway, thanks for the info. I am the assistant editor at North Dallas Gazette, covering the African American community in North Dallas, Plano, Garland and other cities. Lionel, we try to encourage youth and aspiring black folk about the success leaders are enjoying everyday in the African American community. We feature three individuals, local and national, who are leaders in their field. I will certain include Mr. Otis in our upcoming issue.
If anyone knows of others to consider, please email me at editor@northdallasgazette.com.
Mr. Williams, any chance you can include our paper among your Dallas Links - NorthDallasGazette.com?
January 31st, 2008 at 11:52 am
Congratulation! Never heard of this man, and I was greatful to receive this email. Now this is really “Little Known Black History” I am a Red Lobster Fan, and I never seen this mans picture on the wall. I am one of our church secretary and I would like to include your picture on our church bullintin. Is that permissiable?
January 31st, 2008 at 9:36 pm
This is truly an ispiration to our black male youth. I am a mother of 3 teenage boys and am honored to share this story with them. I would like to see him featured in our publications: Jet, Ebony, Essence, Vibe, Urban Sunday School Booklets, etc.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I am right with the rest of you. I had NEVER heard of this brother either. What a pleasant surprise, while at the same time a bitter disappointment. As usual, the accomplishments, success and achievements of African American men are scantly heralded, rarely - if EVER - widely disseminated. What a great post. Thank you!
February 8th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Very Proud to be an African American and hear of Mr. Otis as CEO of such a large Company.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Pride is what I feel!
February 11th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I’m 67 years old and am so happy to see this. I can remember when we couldn’t even sit and eat in a decent restaurant much less manage one.
March 2nd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
For the first time in my life in church today I heard about a man named Mr. Clarence Otis Jr. I heard about all the great things he have done in his life and it was encouragement for me. Life wasn’t as hard for me as it was for him but I’ve had my share of ups and downs and I have begun to think if he can pick himself up and succeed so can I.Thank you Mr. Otis for being a black childs hero. May GOD continue to bless and keep up in all that you do.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
He graduated Phi Beta Kappa? I wasn’t aware of that particular distinction. I did read that he graduated -Magna Cum Laude.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:39 am
There is a great site with positive news everyday. TodaysDrum.com. Check it out