DALLAS – It’s the goal for True Kitchen + Kocktail owner Kevin Kelley to give Black people a place to thrive in Dallas. That’s why he has standards for those who enter his restaurant.
Kelley, who is also an attorney, was under major fire after a viral video surfaced of him in his restaurant. He was addressing women who were twerking in the establishment.
In the video he states,“I invested a lot of money into buying this building and into developing this concept so Black people could have somewhere nice to go to, somewhere where our people can feel good about ourselves as a culture."
Kelley says it’s important for those who attend the restaurant to uphold a standard of excellence.
“When you hear some people say 'You don’t respect Black women,’ to me, that’s not the model that I think of when I think of Black women," he said.
For Kelley, it was important to give the Black community a safe space.
“When you go to Perry’s, when you walk in there you don’t forget that you’re the minority,” Kelley said. “That’s because you don’t see people who look like you often."
The restaurant showcases Black artists’ work and displays as well as Black-owned alcohol around the bar which is used its cocktails. Kelley does this to support a group that he says is ofter overlooked.
“It gave me the power and position to make a change,” Kelley said.
Since the restaurant opened in August he’s had a packed house.
Renee Silmon, a frequent customer at the restaurant, says she respects the vision Kelley has for the community. Silmon grew up in Hamilton Park. For her having the restaurant in downtown Dallas was sentimental and she hopes people can respect Kelley’s wishes to uphold a standard of class.
“My parents taught us about culture,” Silmon said. “About being in your behavior. Twerking is Americanized. In the African culture, it’s a celebration. But it’s done in their culture and it’s done in their class and it’s understood that’s what it is. It’s also done in the proper places.”
“Our vision was never to be a strip club or have a dance hall, our vision was to have a vibrant restaurant," Kelley said. "Where you can sit down and eat.”
Kelley stands by his message and welcomes those of all ethnic backgrounds to come enjoy what he worked so hard to build.
You can book a reservation via the restaurant's website, here.