Ulysses Dearing, Cleveland’s first African-American restaurateur, was born in 1903 in Washington, PA, and raised by his uncle in poverty.
With very little education, he left home when he was just a young boy to work so he could help support his family.
At the age of 15, he worked in the Carnegie Steel mills. When he turned 19, Dearing became a chef in Wilkinsburg, PA.
By 21, Dearing had saved enough money to open a restaurant and hotel. But he could not enjoy the benefits of his hard work because he saw it destroyed by a flood.
