Francis Page, Sr.
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Francis Page Sr. | |
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| Born | September 29, 1938 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | February 15, 2002 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Education | Houston College for Negroes (now Texas Southern University) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, publisher, real estate developer |
| Known for | Business leadership and contributions to Houston's African-American community |
| Spouse(s) | (first wife, name not publicly documented) |
Francis Page, Sr. (September 29, 1938 – February 15, 2002) was an American entrepreneur, publisher, real estate developer, business leader, and community advocate.[1] He was known for his pioneering business ventures and significant contributions to Houston’s African-American community.[2]
Early Life and Education
Francis Page, Sr. was born in the Houston Acres Homes neighborhood to Joseph Sidney Page and Mary Annabelle Myers. He was one of seven siblings: brothers Joseph Sidney Page, Jr. and Michael Vincent Page, and sisters Theresa Alexander, Mary Titus, Cynthia Randle, and Catherine Page. To help pay for his siblings’ tuition and school uniforms, Page worked as a caddy at the River Oaks Country Club—an experience that sparked his lifelong love for golf. All of the siblings attended St. Nicholas Catholic School from kindergarten through 12th grade. It was at St. Nicholas School that Francis met his first wife; they married after he graduated. He then went on to attend Houston College for Negroes, which is now known as Texas Southern University.[1]
Career
Francis Page Sr. was an American businessman and entrepreneur. He is reported to have been the first African American liquor salesman in Texas, employed by Tarrant Distributors, Incorporated. In 1968, alongside Judson Robinson Jr., he became one of the first African Americans in the United States to own a Burger King franchise. In 1972, Page opened the original Red Rooster Club in Houston, Texas, described as the city’s first African American discotheque. He also founded Page Bar Supply.
Page later established additional ventures, including The 1894 Bar, MacGregor Management, the Page Group, and the Almeda Center, and managed two shopping centers.
Publishing
In 1986, Francis Page, Sr. and his second wife, Diana Fallis, started the Houston NewsPages Publishing Company, which would become Houston's leading African American weekly newspaper.[3] Under their leadership, the publication earned six national merit awards, including the John H. Sengstacke General Excellence Award in Journalism. Page also co-founded the Texas Publisher Association, an organization composed of African American publishers from across Texas. [4] The Houston NewsPages co-sponsored many community events and started the first Women of Distinction Crystal Awards Luncheon, which provided scholarships for single mothers pursuing higher education.
Community Involvement
Page was active in community and civic initiatives, using his businesses to support local activities and organizations. He supported African American political and civic leaders in Houston and, through the Page Center—a former shopping center at the intersection of Old Spanish Trail and Martin Luther King Boulevard—he at times provided rent-free space to political campaigns and community groups. [5] In 1988, he served as chairman of the Small Business Division for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Telethon. [6] He was chairman of the 1989–1990 Ebony Fashion Fair.
As Community Division leader for the YMCA’s Partners of Youth campaign, he reportedly helped raise more than $2 million over two years, which was described as a record for the organization at the time. [7] In 1994, he founded the Women of Distinction Crystal Awards, which provide scholarships for single mothers. [8] Through Houston NewsPages and other ventures, he sponsored events and initiatives aimed at supporting African American communities in Houston.
Affiliations
Page was a Board member of the South Central YMCA, South Central YMCA was the first YMCA in Houston, Texas built for the Black community. It served the Houston community for 50 years. As member of the Marketing Committee of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, a board member of the Houston Grand Opera, a member of the Houston Executive Board of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and a member of the Advisory Board for Texas Southern University Weekend College. [1]
Awards and Recognition
Page received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to business and the African-American community. Houston NewsPages was honored with over six national merit awards, including the John H. Sengstacke General Excellence Award in Journalism. In 2015, the National Newspaper Publisher Association (NNPA) enshrined the late Francis Page, Sr. publisher of Houston NewsPages in the Gallery of Distinguished Black Publishers at Howard University.[9]
Personal life
Francis Page, Sr was first married was to Patricia Jean Howard, with whom he had three children: Tina Page Stepter, Lynn C. Page, and Francis Page, Jr. After divorce, he later married Diana Fallis in 1986. [1]
Legacy
Francis Page, Sr. is remembered as a trailblazer in Houston’s business and African-American communities. His entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to community service, and lasting impact continue to be recognized and celebrated. The Francis Page Sr. Collection, the Francis Page, Sr. Papers at Houston Public Library, and items in the Digital Public Library of America document his life and contributions. Notable items from the collection, such as this archival photograph, provide a glimpse into his legacy.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Francis Page Obituary (2002) - Houston, TX - Houston Chronicle". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ↑ "CONTENTdm". cdm17006.contentdm.oclc.org. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ↑ Francis Page, Sr. and Diana Fallis Sitting at a Table, retrieved 2025-08-07
- ↑ "ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Global". about.proquest.com. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ↑ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ↑ "UNCF", Wikipedia, 2025-07-28, retrieved 2025-08-12
- ↑ South Central YMCA was the first YMCA in Houston, Texas built for Blacks. It served the Houston community for 50 years. Retrieved 2025-08-12 – via www.facebook.com.
- ↑ "Houston's Women of Distinction honored in $400,000 virtual Winter Ball - CultureMap Houston". houston.culturemap.com. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ↑ Informer, Washington (2015-03-31). "Ben Crump: NNPA Newsmaker of the Year". The Washington Informer. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ↑ "Congressional Record, Volume 144 Issue 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)". www.govinfo.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
External links
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