Naa Oyo A. Kwate, an associate professor in the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Minnesota, has published a thought-provoking new book, White Burgers, Black Cash: Fast Food from Black Exclusion to Exploitation. The book dives into the fast food industry’s evolution, charting its path from a period of deliberate exclusion of Black communities to a modern-day reality where fast food chains are a fixture in urban Black neighborhoods, heavily marketed and commercially embraced.

A Deep Dive into Historical and Present-Day Impacts

Kwate’s work is more than just an analysis of the fast food sector; it is a compelling examination of how systemic racism and economic interests intersect with urban planning and public health. The book explores how brands like White Castle, KFC, McDonald’s, and Burger King shifted their strategies to target predominantly Black spaces in cities like Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C., moving from a history of exclusion to one of strategic inclusion.

By dissecting this complex trajectory, Kwate reveals the underlying structures of economic exploitation, highlighting how fast food has come to represent not only a staple of convenience and comfort but also a symbol of racial and economic inequities. The story Kwate tells is both historical and urgently relevant, exposing the way the industry has shaped the environments and health of Black communities across generations.

Celebrated and Recognized for Her Work

Kwate’s scholarship has earned her notable accolades, including the 2024 Urban Affairs Association’s Best Book in the Field of Urban Affairs Award and the 2023 Betty and Alfred McClung Lee Book Award from the Association for Humanist Sociology. Her groundbreaking work is interdisciplinary, weaving together history, sociology, public health, and urban studies to illustrate how racism and capitalism drive decision-making in urban settings.

A former clinical psychologist, Kwate’s early career exposed her to the heavy burden of chronic illness among her patients, which inspired her shift to research on the social determinants of African American health. Her continued focus on urban built environments and racial inequality has shaped a body of work funded by prominent institutions like the National Institutes of Health and the Smithsonian Institution.

The Relevance to Minnesota and Beyond

Kwate’s position at the University of Minnesota adds an important local dimension to her work, fostering discussions that resonate within the state and across the country. Her book shines a light on how even local communities can trace their urban experiences back to the broader forces at play in the industry’s history. For Minnesotans, Kwate’s research is a call to reflect on the ways systemic disparities persist in everyday life and public spaces.

Her research serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding the intersections of race, economics, and urban life. White Burgers, Black Cash is not just a story about fast food—it is a history of racialized economic practices and their impact on health, neighborhoods, and the larger fight for equity.

You can visit the White Burgers, Black Cash website for more details.