2021 LIVING LEGEND
Harry L. Smith is a restaurant owner/operator of 17 restaurants in the Central Division/Indianapolis region. Harry is an OPNAD national marketing representative on behalf of the National NBMOA, OPNAD by-law/process team member, past national value council representative, past Central Division place team lead, past DLC member, past NLC place team (member of LTRS sub-team), chaired a team that developed a white paper that led to better opportunities for operators, past NIO co-op president, past NIO co-op ad committee chair, past Indianapolis region RLC chair, past Indianapolis region profit team lead, past 2-term OPNAD representative for the Indianapolis region, past Houston co-op president and past BMOA president Houston Chapter, and he has held several other positions during his restaurant career.
Harry began his career in the restaurant business on November 1, 1971, at the age of 16 as a crew member in Dallas, Texas.
In 1973, Harry moved to Houston, Texas, to attend Texas Southern University where he continued his career. He went through the ranks as a swing manager, assistant restaurant manager, restaurant manager, supervisor, and director of operations. He became a restaurant manager at the age of 19 and was recognized 6 straight years as “Outstanding Restaurant Manager” by the Houston region and managed the first million dollar restaurant of this brand in Houston.
In 1991, he became a restaurant owner/operator in the Houston region; until he sold his 7 restaurants to move to Elkhart, Indiana, purchasing 5 restaurants on September 14, 2001.
Harry has been recognized with many awards throughout his restaurant career, including:
- Rookie Owner/Operator of the Year
- Houston Business Journal’s Entrepreneur of the Year
- Indianapolis Street Fighter Award (2004, 2005, 2007-2009)
- Sales Milestone Award (2004, 2006, 2008-2013)
- Outstanding Operation Award (2005, 2009-2013)
- NBMOA Warrior Award
- Indianapolis Region 2009 & 2012 People Award
- Ronald Award Winner (2013)
- Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee’s Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
- State Representative Ron Reynolds’ Community Service Award
- Houston Humanitarian Award
- CORE Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Blacks Today
These awards are just to name a few. In addition, he is also a lifetime member of the NAACP.
Harry started custom home building in Houston in 1994, later founding Hearthstone Homes in 1998. Harry builds homes ranging from $300,000 to over $3 million, achieving great success in the real estate business.
Harry is the founder of the Smith Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established in 2016 to reach, uplift, support, enhance the lives, and empower all people to reach their full potential. This foundation has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to 27 deserving students, provided school supplies, and equipment for music programs in underprivileged communities. In addition, the organization also provides Christmas toys for children in underprivileged communities, food for those in need, funding for little league teams, also having financed a multi-service center serving families in low-income areas.
If you ask Harry what he is most proud of, he will answer with the birth of his 8 children:
| Myasha Smith | McDonald’s Owner/Operator Indianapolis RegionBachelor of Business Administration in Accounting/Certified Public AccountantHonors Graduate University of Houston/Magna Cum Laude |
| Lauren Smith | Graduate University of Houston/Bachelor of Science |
| April Smith | Attended Texas Southern University/Graduated from The Art Institute |
| Angel Smith | Graduate Prairie View University/Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy |
| Harry Smith III | Graduate Texas Southern University/Bachelor of Science |
| Mary Smith | Graduate Emory University/Bachelor of AnthropologyJohns Hopkins University/Master of Public Health and Doctorate of Medicine |
| Martha Smith | Graduate Purdue University/Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication |
| Destiny Smith | Graduate Michigan State University/Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Capital |
Harry has only 1 hobby, and anyone who knows Harry, knows that it is the Dallas Cowboys!
Harry L. Smith
Owner/Operator
McDonald’s
Founder & Owner
Hearthstone Homes
www.hearthstonehomes.net
