08/29/2026
What’s so alarming to me about everything happening with Texas Roadhouse—whether the reports are true or fake news—is the larger conversation we seem unwilling to have as a people.
When are we going to wake up?
We are often quick to spend our hard-earned money at establishments where we may not be welcomed, respected, or valued, while overlooking African American-owned businesses that are literally fighting to survive.
There are scores of Black-owned, full-service restaurants across this country. Yet I continue to see us proudly posting pictures from The LocBar, Bygones, Atlas Group restaurants, Cracker Barrel, Texas Roadhouse, and countless other establishments.
But when it comes to supporting an African American-owned establishment, suddenly we have every reason in the world not to spend our money there.
That is what bothers me.
We cannot constantly talk about economic empowerment, building generational wealth, supporting Black businesses, and creating opportunities within our communities—and then turn around and financially support businesses whose practices or attitudes we claim to oppose.
Our dollars are powerful.
Every dollar we spend is a vote for the businesses, communities, and economic systems we want to see succeed. We don't have to support anyone simply because they're successful, but we should be intentional about where we choose to spend our money.
And let's be honest: Black-owned businesses don't get unlimited chances to succeed. Many are operating with fewer resources, smaller margins, and far less room for error.
So before we criticize a Black-owned establishment for having one bad experience, ask yourself how many chances you've given large corporations and establishments that have disappointed you repeatedly.
This isn't about telling anyone where they can or cannot eat.
It's about asking a much bigger question:
When are we going to recognize the economic power we have—and start using it to build our own communities instead of continually contributing financially to systems that don't always value us?
We have to do better. Not just with our words, but with our dollars.
