To twerk or not to twerk? That is the question. A video went viral showing Black business owner Kevin Kelley reprimanding a group of Black customers for twerking in his establishment.
Several videos show Kelley requesting that the customers stop twerking on his furniture and glass walls. Although Kelley approached the table of women respectfully the first couple of times, his final warning was more stern.
“I invested a lot of money into buying this building — into developing this concept — so Black people can have somewhere nice to go to okay?” Kelley said to the twerking customers before he asked the music to be turned off. “Somewhere where our people can feel good about ourselves as a culture, okay. No, no, real talk. So all this twerking and sh–, take it to Prime, take it to Pink, don’t bring it here because we’re a restaurant.”
A frustrated Kelley continued, “Beyond that, 75% of my customers are ladies and I want men to show respect for themselves by how they carry themselves here. So how can I tell the men to respect themselves and you guys are twerking on glass here? If you want to do it, get the f— out of my restaurant.”
The patrons gasped in awe after he used a curse word when addressing the ladies.
Kelley continued, “I did it for our people and I did it for our culture. So, don’t do it again. I don’t want to hear it. If you don’t like it get out, because I don’t need your money. I need to provide something for my people. Don’t do it again. Thank you.”
As Kelley walks away, patrons begin to laugh.
Located at 1933 Elm Street in Dallas, Kelley’s establishment opened during the pandemic in August 2020. He envisioned his business as an “elevated comfort food restaurant” that serves southern cuisines with an edge. The menu includes jerk lamb chops, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles and traditional southern sides, such as macaroni and cheese, candied yams, and collard greens.
There’s also two open bars and one VIP section for private parties. Kelley, who also owns the law firm that sits one level above the 5,000 square foot restaurant, prides himself on being a black owner in Texas.
“I hope this inspires other minority or female entrepreneurs that they can [open a restaurant], too,” Kelley told the Dallas News back in August.
Business has been booming since Texas opened the state up a few months ago. In response, True Kitchen + Kocktails has taken necessary precautions to reduce the spread of the virus by using floor rugs that sanitizes customers’ feet as they enter the restaurant and germ killing wands to clean tables. Temperatures are checked at the door. Customers are required to wear face masks until they are seated.
“As crazy as it sounds, it’s been great to open during a pandemic,” Kevin Kelley said. “We have had to be the best we can be as a business. We put safety measures in place that wouldn’t have been in place prior to COVID-19.”
After the videos went viral, Kelley issued a statement online to explain the entire situation.
“…A customer stood on her seat, placed her hands against the glass windows and began to twerk. My immediate reaction was this woman could fall through this window and we could be the target of a lawsuit if she is injured. My second reaction was enough is enough. After already addressing this behavior twice, these customers no longer deserved the courtesy of kindness I expressed in the earlier encounters as it was met with disrespect and intentionally ignored. This is why they were told to leave.”
The online debates raged on as some people applauded Kelley, while others felt like he was disrespectful.
Kelley and his establishment seems to understand the demographic he serves and has a history of showing appreciation toward black women and customers in general via the restaurant’s social media.
What do you think, should the customers be allowed to twerk on demand in a place like True Kitchen + Kocktails or any public place or does Mr. Kevin Kelley need to take a chill pill?
