Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America

About This Event

Since 2004, the Minnesota Historical Society's History Forum has explored the richness, expansiveness, and complexity of American history with some of the nation’s best scholars. That tradition continues in 2024 with six lectures highlighting the diversity and excellence of today’s historical scholarship.

In her book Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America—winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in history—acclaimed historian Marcia Chatelain investigates the complex interrelationship between Black communities and America’s largest, most popular fast food chain. 

From the first McDonald’s drive-in in San Bernardino to the franchise on Florissant Avenue in Ferguson, Missouri during the summer of 2014, Chatelain shows how fast food is a source of both power—economic and political—and despair for African Americans. 

Through her innovative research and compelling storytelling, Chatelain shows how fast food is, more than ever before, a key battlefield in the fight for racial justice.

All lectures will take place in the 3M auditorium at the Minnesota History Center. Lectures are at 10 am (in-person or virtual) and 2 pm (in-person), with live captioning available at 2 pm. 

• Individual Event Tickets: $16 in-person 
• Individual Event Tickets: $12 virtual 
• Series Pricing (All 6 events): $84 in-person
• Series Pricing (All 6 events): $60 virtual