Authors Note: Back to my Roots was written for my multimedia news gathering class. This story was made for readers who value small minority businesses to shed light on a small boutique located in OKC. This story was published on April 25, 2022. I used the Rode Microphones and my Sony camera for this story. I also used Final Cut Pro to edit a video interview I conducted. I learned more about small businesses and how important exposure is for them.
All About back to my roots
A tiny 200-square-foot boutique in Del City has a dual mission: sell graphic t-shirts to embrace African American culture and be a referral agency for other minority-owned stores in the neighborhood.
On one shelf, Lekeytha Dukes, owner of Back to My Roots, features business cards with the information of other nearby black-owned businesses.
“She came to my first pop-up; she was one of the vendors and it developed from there.” Raia Blackmon, owner of Love on a Plate said, “I reached out to her once I saw she had openings for other vendors to come in and now we transitioned to having a fridge here at the store.”
Not only does she promote other black-owned businesses, but she is also set to host a children’s fashion show on May 29.
Community is what drew longtime customer Darlene Cole back to the store to purchase a scarlet dress on the highest rack. Community is what prompted her to suddenly invite Dukes to her Easter Party.
“I have been shopping here ever since she has been in this spot and probably before she even had this spot,” Cole said
It is clear the relationship between Back to My Roots and its owner Lekeytha Dukes in the community is deeper than business.
Back To My Roots is a minority-owned clothing store in Del City, Oklahoma. It was established in 2013 and encourages people to become in touch with their cultural heritage.
The 13×15 office building is transformed into a bright boutique filled with an array of products such as clothing, beauty products, and accessories. All of which embrace African American heritage and culture.
“I started when I cut off my relaxer.” Dukes said, “I was excited about going back to my roots because I chopped off my hair. I put it on a shirt and from there it went from being a natural hair t-shirt line to an empowering movement.”
Their logo, which is showcased on most of the products, is a graphic of a man’s or woman’s face with half of their hairline and facial structure defined by the lines of Africa as seen on a map filled with red, gold, and green colors.
“Red is for the blood that was shed, gold is for our riches and green is for our land,” Dukes said.
Lekeytha Dukes is described by the supervisor of Back to My Roots, William Scott, as giving, loving, honest, dependable, and “a great person all around.”
Blackmon describes what she thinks of Dukes.
“I look up to her. I really do.”