A graduate from Morgan State University, Tanya Hill-Holliday, has been making history in the restaurant industry. Starting as a part-time employee at McDonald's while studying management, Hill-Holliday quickly climbed the corporate ladder. After graduation, she joined the McDonald's management training program, which provided her with extensive experience in various positions within the company.

Hill-Holliday's career took a significant turn when she became the first African American woman to own and operate a McDonald's franchise in Philadelphia. This milestone achievement occurred approximately 20 years ago. Today, she is the proud owner of 12 McDonald's restaurants, including three on the Main Line and one in Allentown.

While McDonald's provides certain prototypes for franchisees, Hill-Holliday takes pride in adding her personal touch to each of her locations. She acknowledges the importance of her team in her success and describes them as her pride and joy. Hill-Holliday believes that without her dedicated employees, she would not have achieved the level of success she enjoys today.

Despite her longstanding loyalty to McDonald's, Hill-Holliday has no plans of slowing down. She genuinely loves what she does and has a piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: never let roadblocks deter you from pursuing your goals. Her own experiences have taught her to be persistent and resilient, finding alternative ways to navigate obstacles and keep moving forward.

Tanya Hill-Holliday's remarkable journey from a part-time McDonald's employee to a trailblazing franchise owner exemplifies the endless possibilities that await determined individuals. Her success highlights the importance of perseverance and the vital role HBCU alumni play in breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings across various industries.