The RoyalFlush

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Adventure Time Outside

By Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chief

The name Norman Bolden is known throughout the Southside and particularly in the Oakwood and Bronzeville communities where he is a major contributor to its growth and transformation as a society complete with healthy businesses that serve and meet the community’s needs. As a young man, he experienced love and wholesome family relations from his mother who was a minister, seven siblings and his father, an engineer for the Chicago Fire Department, who left that job to work at his tv repair and record shop called The Royal Flush. If you know cards, you know that ‘the royal flush’ is the hand that can never be beaten. What Norm says next brings a huge smile on his face. “It’s hilarious to me that ‘Room 43’ is the space where my father repaired TVs, sold records and where I worked every summer and spring break. But specifically, because of what I do there now, as a child I danced for dollars you, know, “Dance Norman, dance,” and I’m dancing for dollars.”

It’s important to say that I learned so much from both parents, each having influenced me uniquely.

“My mother’s faith grounded me in establishing a spiritual perception from a humanitarian perspective, while my father’s discipline, which fueled his drive, focus and pursuit of his goals and ambition impressed upon me an undefeatable attitude and strong work ethic. I think that I began officially working for my father at 14 but was always around from age 10. My parents made it clear that we were to be productive,” Norman says of his siblings, “They live all over the country, each doing their thing, and are very supportive of my endeavors.”

“I think legacy is important and I feel that the value of that has been lost in our communities.” Norman speaks passionately as he cites that too many Black owned companies in Chicago have gone by the wayside because the children fail to grasp the significance. “They see the building and think, I don’t want that raggedy building, or the business isn’t glamourous enough, or modern. What they miss is that it’s about the legacy of wealth building, starting with what you have. We must apply our vision to what we have and make it into what you want.”

“Look when my father passed, I was 28 years old, and I was where those other young people I described were. I was thinking, ‘should I sell and hope someone will buy it; or rent it, what can I do with this old unappealing building?’ Then I remembered something my father told me standing in front of the building near a green light pole, which remains there today, as a constant reminder of what he said. ‘Norm this area is going to change so don’t sell.’ In reflection, I recognize that he had the foresight to see. That was some years ago and oh, my God! So, what was worth nothing is worth a great deal today. That moment was the impetus of my going into business.”

Risky Business

Norman attended Westcott Elementary school and says with a chuckle, “I wasn’t exactly that ‘A’ student. But I was smart. I had to show up because my parents expected it of me.” In addition to his academic performance, Norm was a member of the drill team and served as class officer in 8th grade. At Calumet High School Norman found himself on the wrestling team for three consecutive years, was a member of the Honors Society, President of the Young Men Leadership Council and was Homecoming King.

Norman was set to attend Clark University in Atlanta, Georgia, but on the way the summer before he had landed a CEDA Summer internship at WGCI under the tutelage of Marv Dyson, then President of WGCI FM. CEDA‘s Summer Youth Employment Program was a big deal. It provided youth the opportunity to learn valuable skills, and exposure through hands-on work experience with professionals. Although he had worked at his father’s, business summers past, the WGCI position was his first official job at the age of 17.

In reflection Norm says that experience turned out to be the most fortunate phenomenon that became the gift that kept giving. As the program winded down and he was preparing to go off to school, Marv Dyson approached him and made an offer his parents could not refuse. “He was willing to hire me as the Mailroom Boy Messenger at the starting salary of $10,500, a company car and a gas card. Further, they would pay my college tuition at Northeastern University, in Chicago. My parents, decided that I was going to do that and that I’d do it well.”

According to Norm, Marv Dyson, and Vice President Velma Brazelton were the best mentors one could have. “How they embraced and what they bestowed upon me made it not an option to not

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Continued from page 11 succeed. Got it, not an option?” The now veteran community activist and leader who has actively worked side by side with fellow residents and stakeholders, expressed. “They treated me like family.”

Norman provides greater insight, capturing an experience which reveals their commitment to his success. “I was the driver of the WGCI Winnebago mobile home that we utilized at community events, and to which I had total access and their trust, which was amazing. At the same time, I was 18. So, I decided why not throw a party on the Winnebago? I even had one of the secretaries type up the invitation for me. I also mailed them from WCCI..

The celebration was a hit, without a hitch. As fate would have it the Vice President did the mail that day because I was at a remote event. When I returned, the secretary asked, Norman, did you have a party on the mobile home?” Apparently, an invitation had come back. She continued, “Mr. Dyson wants to see you.” So, I just knew that I was fired --that it was over for me.”

But to Norman’s chagrin, Marv asked him directly, “Norman, did you have a party?” As Norman tells it, he had a brain freeze and all he managed to get out was ‘Uhhhhhh?’ Then the miraculous happened. A beautiful moment unfolded. He says, “Norman, I don’t care what you do. I was 18 once, but you must let me know, so that I can protect you.“ And then something hit me, that this was a man who cared about my future. I just broke down in disbelief that he was parenting me rather than firing me.”

In retrospect Norman realized that it was his “Risky Business,” moment and fortunately he hadn’t caused any damage, thank goodness except for the risk of damaging the relationships with two people who had put him front and center to succeed. Norman says, “But even now, I still can’t believe I walked out of there, with my job in tact.” He left Marv’s office and went to the mailroom where he came face to face with Ms. Brazelton and there was more chastisement. They both spent their emotions and tears were shed,” explains Norman, “Today we remain friends and still laugh about that very pivotal moment in my life.” The good news is that his mentors can say that they made a great investment.

Back to The Future

When the opportunity arose to work with Riley Davis, the station’s marketing manager, as a junior sales representative Norman made his move. He was promoted to senior sales representative, and he was soaring. Acknowledgements were bestowed upon him. He was nominated and awarded the distinction of ‘Account Executive of the Year of Gannett Media’ throughout the country. Following that, the accolades kept coming. One that stands out is a call from Monica Haslip, ED of Little Black Pearl Work and Experimental Lounge and asked if he would sit for an artist. Not sure what that entailed. Norman agreed and the rest is history. A beautiful bust of his likeness by Jeff Thompson can be seen at the studio.

Nearing his targeted goal to return to 43rd Street and to develop it and live his dream by the age of thirty-five, but 35 came and went. He smiles, “Then I said ‘40’ is my hard stop,” Suddenly 40 was upon him. Norman says, “I knew that I had to put a plan in motion. In October, two months before his birthday, he committed to work his plan.

And with that the entrepreneurial phase of Norman’s life was activated with the opening of Room 43 which became the community venue for parties, receptions, weddings, and Wednesday’s, Chi- cago’s Rat Pack night -- a standing social evening of entertainment. Room 43 has clout—hosted a debate between senator Barack Obama and a veteran senator on his way to making history as the first Black president of the United States.

A few years after Room 43’s debut, Norman established Norman’s Bistro, in 2010, at the opposite corner holding down the block owning the 1001-1013 East 43rd St property in between. He’s quick to make clear that it was not all smooth sailing on calm seas. He sought money from banks and in particular government development money established for businesses like his. It’s important for the young business owner who is excited about his or her endeavor to understand that other people are not always on board with your dream because they have agendas that your vision doesn’t fit into. He urges, the visionary, to not take it personal, but rather, find another way, and manifest your dream. Just be clear about what you want to do. The right assistance will show up.”

As the community continued to grow Norman saw the fruit of the transformation which his father advised would happen. His businesses were flourishing. In 2018, businessman that he is with the mindset of setting intentional outcome goal-oriented businesses, he opened the Haven Entertainment Center at 932 East 43rd diagonally across from Norman’s Bistro. Its ‘next level vibe’ as a full-service concert venue, has an occupancy of 300 and currently holds a 5-star rating-- featuring a great bar. And while it’s still gaining notoriety, it offers top notch entertainment and rental opportunity.

As such, auspicious doors to change continue to come his way. Consequently, Norman was recently offered the opportunity to be an exclusive concessionaire at Chicago’s Rainbow Beach— Norman’s Bistro on the Beach which he had plans to open this summer, however, “I want to assure that when people come to our place on the beach that it’s going to be pleasant, the parking lot is going to be what it needs to be, the beach is going to be clean as it should be, and the experience is going to be very positive. They should have the same amenities residents have on the north side because that’s what our community deserves.”

In Conclusion

“I am committed that we stay in our communities for the greater good and for the legacy of our parents, and our future generations; and that requires a community effort. Legacy building includes ownership and making sure that we are stakeholders, . . . A Royal Flush!” ends Norman.

by Jeff Thompson