"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : THE FORMER BLACK-OWNED BARBEQUE ESTABLISHMENTS in MONROE, featuring HUEY "Lil Bob" NASH, "THE BLACK MAN FROM LOUISIANA WHO BROKE THE COLOR BARRIER AT THE TEXAS STATE FAIR IN 1964"

Oh boy, do I have a humdinger of a story to share with everyone this week! While many Black People in Monroe and the state of Louisiana know about Huey P. Newton being from Monroe, Louisiana, very few Black People in Louisiana have heard about "Huey Nash Sr." and his historical accomplishment at the 1964 Texas State Fair. For those who don't already know, Huey "Lil' Bob" Nash was born on March 21, 1935 in Mangham, Louisiana. Also, I would like to add that many descendants of the Nash Family have lived, and are currently living here in Monroe today. Well, our story takes us all the way back to the year 1964, the year when the name Huey Nash was "etched indelibly in history!" You see, it was in1964, at the Texas State Fair that Huey Nash broke the "Texas State Fair Color Barrier to become the First Black Food Vendor to be allowed to set up a food booth on the fairgrounds of the Texas State Fair!" By the way, before 1964, a period of more than 78 years, no other Black person had been granted permission to have a food concession stand at the Texas State Fair. Although it took Huey more than 2 attempts and five years are more of wading through red tape, he never gave out and he never gave up! Also, it was reported that Huey worked 2 or 3 jobs, in order to raise the money for the licenses and other fees. Furthermore, what's even more amazing is that he was able to achieve such a great feat and still feed & provide for his wife and their 4 children. Interesting enough, before he died on Tuesday September 20, 2011, from congestive heart failure, which was probably the results of poor ventilation in his barbecue smokehouse, a "Lil' Bob's Barbecue Restaurant" opened right here in Monroe at 1612 Garrett Road. In closing, here's a list of a few of the Former Black-Owned Barbeque Establishments that are a part of "Our Rich Black Heritage!" : 1. Lil' Bob's Barbecue Restaurant that was located at 1612 Garrett Road ; 2.H.H.Marbles Barbeque that was located at 1000 Breard Street ; 3.Hill's Barbeque that was located at 813 Texas Ave ; 4.Mr. T's Barbeque that was located at 3021 Renwick Street ; 5.Quick-Stop Barbeque that was located at 2400 Desiard Street ; 6.Murray's Barbeque that was located at 2710 Renwick Street ; 7. Willie's Barbecue & Catering that was located at 411 Desiard Street ; 8.Prezell's Smokehouse that was located at 1704 Powell Ave ; 9.Bo Jingles Drive Inn that was located at 2940 Renwick Street ; and 10.Bodacious Barbeque that was located on Louisville Avenue, just to name a few.