Helping Hands: African-American Millionaire Gives Money to Houston Flood Victims

This past August, the historic flood in Houston devastated many of its citizens.
During this time of tragedy many people helped out in different ways. Whether it was rescuing trapped citizens, or giving to victims who lost everything, the outpour of support for the flood victims was extraordinary.
On October 29, Dr. Willie Wilson made a special presentation to flood victims, at Forest Lawn Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.
According to his official website, Dr. Wilson was born in Gilbert, Louisiana on June 16, 1948. He was raised through poverty, but worked extremely hard and founded multiple successful businesses.
Dr. Wilson was one of the first African American owners of a McDonald’s restaurant. He started out as a custodian at a McDonald’s in Chicago, Illinois in 1970. Although he only worked for $2 an hour, he progressed through the business ranks and eventually purchased a struggling McDonald’s restaurant and turned it around within a year.
After Dr. Wilson found success in the fast food industry, he decided to venture into the entertainment industry.
Eventually, Wilson sold his McDonald’s restaurants and dedicated his life to creating Gospel music.
Simultaneously, he began singing in church and performing with the Norfleet Brothers.
In 1989, Wilson created Singsation, which is a half-hour weekly program of Gospel music and news. He won an Emmy in 2012, for one of his performances on the show.
Dr. Wilson has had many political ventures. He ran for president in 2016 as a Democrat, but dropped out of the race in June of that year.
Southern University Spring 2017 alumna, Patrice Lazard, said, “It is amazing to hear Dr. Wilson’s story. It is not common to hear about African American success stories like his and it is great to hear him giving back.”
According to Chicago News Station, WGN9, Wilson made the announcement to give $100,000 to those affected by Hurricane Harvey on September 2, 2017 at a press conference at The Chicago Baptist Institute.
On every fifth Sunday, a combined service is held between four churches in the Houston area. As a friend of one of the Pastors, Wilson decided to make his donation during this service.
Wilson had previously instructed each pastor to list 30 people who they knew who were affected by the flood. At the time of service, he called each member whose name had been written down and presented them with envelopes, each containing $500.
In addition he gave $10,000 to each pastor to help others in need, as well as $10,000 to a nearby school, and monetary gifts to members of the congregation
Veronica Mickey is a native of Houston, and faithfully attends service every Sunday.
On this day her church was one of the four to participate in the combined services. She stated, “Hearing his story was an absolute miracle. The man was a custodian and working for $2 an hour, and now he is a multi-millionaire. I cried with joy seeing these people be helped after all they had been through.”
Southern University student, Chyanna McGee shared her thoughts on Dr. Wilson’s giving. “A little over a year ago I was considered homeless, due to the historic floods in Baton Rouge. I lost everything. However one of the things that kept me going was my church family and kind people who were able to help in the community. It is amazing to hear that Dr. Wilson, who once had nothing, was able to help so many in their time of need.”
Wilson left the church with no money, but changed the lives of hundreds of struggling citizens, who now have a little help in the process of regaining their lives.