Bill Russell left his mark on more than the Boston Celtics in the city where he won an NBA-record 11 titles. He also opened and ran Slade’s Bar and Grill, a place as renowned for its soul food as its reputation as a safe haven for Black clients to stop and eat without worry as a stop listed in the “Negro Motorist Green Book,” according to a new article by Boston 25 News’ Crystal Hayes.
Sold to Russell by the Slade family who then sold it to retired Celtics assistant executive director of basketball operations Leo Papile and his daughter Britney Kyle Papile, Slades would host people of color from the neighborhood and the world over.
