In Loving Memory of
Adolf Dulan
SUNRISE: JUNE 18, 1934 – SUNSET: MAY 1, 2017
The Early Years
Order of Celebration THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017 AT 2:00 PM
West Angeles Church of God In Christ 3045 Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90016 Processional of Ministers and Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vessels Choir Moderator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Rezine King Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chris Dulan Scriptures Old Testament: Psalm 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arthur Williams New Testament: John 14:1-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kira Harrell Selection “How I Got Over” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vessels Choir Expressions of Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .West Angeles Church, Evangelist Jonni Crear Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rosa Dancy Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Murrell, Gloria Jean Dulan, Hanniyah Kindred Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Miracle Holloway Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dulan Family: Greg, Jeff, Terry, Danielle, and Tiffany Video Tribute Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Evangelist Deloris Stephens Adolf’s Journey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grandchildren: Brett, Alexis and Kenneth Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vessels Choir Words of Encouragement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pastor Lawrence Black, Sr. Family Greeting Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Tonya Lewis
Acknowledgement Because you cared, you came to share, beautiful flowers and words of prayers. Because you cared, enough to do, words of comfort and cards came too. Because you cared, we were not alone, calls and visits reached our homes. Because you cared, we’re grateful indeed, you’ve been a comfort and a friend indeed. Because you cared, we’re able to bear, the grief and sorrow, there is no despair. Because you cared, we’re praying too, for God’s richest blessing for each one of you. The Dulan Family
Adolf ’s Journey Adolf Dulan, was born on June 18, 1934, in Luther, Oklahoma, in a rustic log cabin that was built by his grandfather, Benjamin Dulan in 1889, on land that was acquired after participating in the Oklahoma Land Rush. Adolf was the youngest of five children born to Silas and Zady Dulan. Living in rural Oklahoma, they did not have hot or cold running water, indoor plumbing or electricity; and you couldn’t go to the store to purchase food and other necessities. So, the Dulan’s grew their own vegetables - including corn, black-eyed peas and crowder peas, peanuts, cabbage, tomatoes, okra, collard greens, spinach, onions, and squash. As a little kid, in addition to his other chores, his mom, Zady, who was one of the best cooks in Jones County, made him help her in the kitchen. He hated it! She’d say, “Adolf, you’d better get in here and learn to do everything I teach you, because you never know how you’ll make your living someday.” He’d say, “I bet it won’t be selling fried chicken, collard greens, or black-eye peas.” But, through helping his mother, he learned to prepare soul food the simple Oklahoma country way. He later would say, “One thing about knowing how to cook, you’ll never starve, and people always have to eat, no matter what they do, or where they come from.” Growing up Dulan meant getting an education. Because his father Silas only had an eighth-grade education, he was determined for his children to have a better future. There was no way anyone who was a Dulan could escape getting an education. College was mandatory. Adolf graduated from Langston University, in Langston, Oklahoma (one of the original all-Black Oklahoma towns) in 1956. He was also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Incorporated. After college he joined the army briefly before entering the workforce. Upon returning from the service, he initially worked for the U.S. Postal Service, but later found a better opportunity as a social worker for Los Angeles County, where he began helping people solve their problems – helping others remained one of his first loves. By 1975, now a father, his love for his children, and the realization that he would have three in college at the same time, motivated him to leave social work, and follow his aspiration of being his own boss. To quote Adolf, “You’ll never get rich working for somebody else. You’ll never make more money than your boss.” A firm believer in the power of positive thinking, perseverance, and living the “Good Life,” he worked diligently, determined to achieve his goals. With his business partner and wife Mary, he initially purchased a nursery school, and eventually an Orange Julius franchise in South LA. Later realizing that the food they produced was more popular than the franchise they changed the name to Hamburger City and went on to open four additional locations, and thus was the beginning of Adolf’s rise to fame as a restauranteur. Arsenio Hall used to mention Hamburger City frequently on his TV show back in the day – he loved those burgers!
You can’t talk about his success as a restaurateur without talking about the legendary Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch. The groundbreaking restaurant, created by Mary and Adolf, was modeled after their humble southern beginnings, of lemonade served in mason jars, fresh vegetables picked from the garden, and old wood burning stoves. Southern hospitality and plates piled high with “homestyle,” made “from scratch” food based on family recipes put Adolf on the map, and revolutionized Soul Food in LA for all times. At the height of Aunt Kizzy’s success they were featured on the cover of Black Enterprise and in Essence magazine. The restaurant gained national recognition for its mouthwatering, delicious cuisine. Even the widely-used Lawry’s Seasoned Salt wanted to be associated with Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch. Adolf went on to star in a national commercial for the brand, and his face became highly recognizable. For years Adolf had admired how other cultures owned family run businesses and passed wealth to their future generations. He still dreamed of building the Dulan franchise. During a 1999 visit to see his son, Terry, in New York City, Adolf, the ever-observant businessman, noticed the proliferation of cafeteria-style restaurants. To quote Adolf “People no longer have time to eat at sit down restaurants, that’s why the fast-food restaurants are making so much money.” He returned to Los Angeles with an idea and a mission. That idea became a reality when he opened Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen later that same year – this is at age 65! By his side for this new adventure was his dearest Dorothy, providing him with love, peace, and calm while he continued to grow his empire. Now, there are two Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen locations currently managed by Terry, and the affiliated Dulan’s on Crenshaw, owned by his son Gregory. The Inglewood eateries are known for their generous portions, good service, and food that reminds one of being at grandma’s for Sunday dinner. And, just like at grandma’s house, there is plenty of laughter and joy thanks to the down-home hospitality inspired by Adolf’s southern roots. There are lines out the door of customers waiting for that sumptuous mac and cheese, candied yams, black-eyed peas, cornbread, collard greens - you name it. Those who have eaten there are spoiled for any place else. Adolf’s humble beginnings made him a very generous and conscientious man. He was a widely-respected businessman who consistently and continuously reinvested in the community. Well known throughout LA for his contributions and participation in the many programs and activities, he unstintingly supported local schools, churches, and community organizations. He often spoke to young children and teens, as well as hosted fundraising events to help them expand their capacities. He never hesitated to do his part to serve. He is most recognized for providing jobs to African-American and minority employees over his 42-year span as an entrepreneur. He treated his employees like family. His vision was for the community to prosper and have opportunities like he did. Adolf was a verifiable one man PR machine. He always had a stack of business cards that he literally handed out all over the globe. It was Adolf’s charm, charisma and his down to earth manner that everybody loved. He was always smiling; and like his father, he could spin a yarn that would have you mesmerized. He wanted everyone to have a good time, and he would talk to absolutely everyone - from young kids (while slipping them some money), to the winos that would gather to sneak drinks behind Hamburger City. He knew how to share enough of himself that he invited you in and made you feel right at home. Once you met him you’d never forget him. In an effort to provide support and guidance to other local restaurant owners, he founded the Restaurant Owners Networking Group to discuss issues effecting the basic challenges of the restaurant industry. As Adolf put it, “There are 9 million potential customers in LA County and enough business to go around.” He would often pop into newly opened Black owned restaurants to offer help and advice. His other professional association memberships include: Inglewood Chamber of Commerce, Consortium for Belizean Development, Inc., and the Downtown Inglewood Marketplace Management District Feasibility Study. Adolf received many awards over his lifetime. He was feted by the Honorable Congresswoman, Diane Watson, as well as other members of the United States Congress, and the Honorable Yvonne Braithwaite-Burke, of the California State Assembly. Named Businessman of the Year by Howard University, Distinguished Alumnus of the year 2010 from Langston University and most recently in 2014 Adolf received the Man of valor Award from the Los Angeles NAACP Youth Chapter, California Small Business of the Year recipient for State Assembly Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, the community based Business of the Year Award from the Black Business Association, GLAAACC, Procurement Exchange Summit from the cities of L.A. and Inglewood. However, as wonderful as his success and accomplishments were, nothing was as special as his deep abiding love for his five children, who were the original impetus for launching his family empire. As the beloved patriarch of the Dulan family, his reign was loving, gentle, benign, wise and a lot of fun. And though the mantle is being passed on to the next generation, rest assured, Adolf Dulan will always be loved and revered as the “The King of Soul Food” and the monarch of the “First Family of Los Angeles Soul Food Empire.” Adolf leaves to celebrate his life his five children: Greg, Jeff, Terry, Danielle and Tiffany; his grandchildren Brett, Alexis and Kenneth; his sweetheart of many years Dorothy Williams; and extended family and friends. Rest in Power Adolf – You will always be loved and never be forgotten. Long live the King!
Program by: LINDA G. WASHINGTON
323.290.3524
I
I EAZ Design msgisverygraphic@yahoo.com