But, apparently, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I’d always assumed that it was just a matter of two DJs each battling to win over a crowd by playing better records than each other, with a heavy emphasis on dubplates (specially recorded tracks with vocals that mention the DJ by name). He is doing it with breathless enthusiasm, but it is still taking quite a long time because, as it turns out, the rules of a reggae soundclash are a thing of byzantine complexity. “It’s not only important that we continue to support Black businesses during these times, but I feel it’s vital.D avid Rodigan is explaining the rules of a reggae soundclash to me. “Black businesses already have a tough enough time getting small business loans and other essential equipment so we as Black people, I feel, have a responsibility to support, patronize and uplift our own,” Shumlai said.

Shumlai often posts pictures of restaurants he’s enjoyed, particularly ones he considers to be hidden gems, encouraging fellow Sacramentans to give them a try as well. Local diner Gary Shumlai is among the many who have taken to social media to urge others to support small Black restaurants during the coronavirus crisis. The campaign seeks to raise $100,000 to “support the survival and reopening of our locally owned and operated independent restaurants and bars.” The effort has garnered more than $25,000 to date, with individual donations ranging from $5 to $2,000. Joshua Wood, co-founder and CEO of The Sacramento Region Business Association (Region Business), is leading a fundraising campaign through GoFundMe. Arize promotes diversity and inclusion in business, culture and community, by connecting “people to local businesses, professionals, community resources and important issues and events.”

The list included Dubplate Kitchen, Colo’s Soul Food and Seafood, Queen Sheba, Fixins, Flowers Fish Market, Tori’s Place, Stage Coach, and MacQues. Michael Blair of posted a list of Black restaurants and their phone numbers on Facebook. Armstead also placed other Black-owned establishments - House of Chicken and Ribs and South - on his list of personal favorites. Armstead is offering 49ers tickets and memorabilia for those who share comments and photos of their favorite restaurants with him through Instagram. Armstead, 26, is lending his celebrity to efforts to support area restaurants. San Francisco 49er and Sacramento native Arik Armstead lists Archie’s Urban Roots and Bawk restaurants among his top places to eat out. In showing that they care and want to help, long time diners, he says, have been “extremely generous to members of his staff and to the business.” People are, in a sense, voting with their dollars, so we treat everyone as if we appreciate their vote.” I learned that when I opened Pangea in 2008, and that’s always been a part of our core values. That’s why it’s all the more important to appreciate our guests that come through. The unexpected crisis, Archie says, has taught him to value impermanence. “Right now it’s about taking care of the fundamentals of everyone as a business, for our team.” “We’re day by day, just like every other industry and every other person,” he said. Management staff was retained and all his employees will keep their health benefits. Hourly employees, Archie said, are furloughed and receiving unemployment. The majority of orders are coming in directly to the restaurants and they also get orders through Uber Eats. “We’re doing a decent amount of orders from what we thought it would be.” He has limited Pangea and Urban Roots locations to a to-go format. Archie and his partners decided to close Bawk during the COVID-19 crisis.

Rob Archie owns three local restaurants, Pangea on Franklin Boulevard, Urban Roots and Bawk in Midtown. “Of course it’s slowed down, but I’m a woman of faith,” she said. “With the hoarding at the stores, sometimes I have to make a few rounds (to different stores) to see who has the items I need,” Ms. While they haven’t had to cut back on their offerings, daily shopping trips are becoming a challenge. There are also signs outside, informing people of the change and of the day’s menu. Miller comes out wearing a mask and gloves and hands over the order. Service at Momo’s is now strictly at-the-door only. The compliments are delivered at the door, as is the food.

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