An African-American-owned business based in Las Vegas plans to move into a historic building on Route 66 in Bristow, Oklahoma, later this year.
Articulate Communication Publications SLLC describes itself as a Christian-based company that seeks to move into the Root’s Furniture building along Route 66 in Bristow and foster the careers of other creatives and entrepreneurs.
According to a news release posted Lee Bailey’s Eurweb site:
As small business owners, they wish to boost the economy by enhancing the artistic goals of authors, musicians, entrepreneurs, and performers, curb delinquency in the area and augment the historic value of Route 66. […]
Articulate Communication Publications will accomplish these goals, by restoring the historic Root Furniture store building in Bristow, Oklahoma and extend their services to all authors, comedians, musicians, and performers in a wide radius, even internationally. Placing Bristow on the International map is a realistic goal using the “Main Street” Route 66 project concept. A soft opening July 2018 and a grand opening by August 2018 are anticipated. By faith and the use of crowdfunding, grassroots funding and good old-fashioned hard work, a mini Wall Street will emerge in Bristow, Oklahoma. Earnestly becoming the of hub which links Tulsa, Oklahoma and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Route 66 is more than a possibility.
Their plans are to house 9 separate businesses in that space; and they are projecting 28-35 professional and semi-professional positions will emerge, from this endeavor.
Articulate Communication Publications has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $275,000 for the project. As of Friday afternoon, $267 had been raised, with 37 days left in the campaign.
The news release also quoted the owner of the Root’s Furniture building:
“We are in discussions with a very innovative and progressive company about the furniture store building. Please pray that things will work out for all involved. If this materializes, Bristow will have something that will draw customers and visitors from all over the United States. This is all I can say for now, but I will post more as things develop,” says Rick Root, Owner of Root Furniture Store, Bristow, OK.
The Bristow Area Chamber of Commerce, contacted by email, said it had no knowledge about Articulate Communication Publications moving to its city.
“We were not aware of this; but are looking into it,” the email said.
Contacted by email, Euniece Dunning, CEO and chairwoman of the company, said if the Kickstarter campaign fails, “we will fire up another. In addition, we are using other methods to raise funding, loans, grants, and angel investors to complete this project.”
“Yes, the move is in progress as we speak,” Dunning added. “It started in December when we purchased Oklahoma tags. We hope to pull the remainder of our household goods in early April after the last snowstorm of the winter.”
Asked what prompted Dunning to pull up stakes from Nevada and move to small-town Oklahoma, she said: “After my father passed, my mother met and married a gentleman who was born in Bristow, OK, therefore, my heart is constantly with her.”
The phrase “a mini Wall Street will emerge in Bristow, Oklahoma” was striking, given the Greenwood District in nearby Tulsa was known as the “Black Wall Street” about 100 years ago. The now-infamous Tulsa race riot in 1921 destroyed much of that district. Dunning acknowledged the wording in the news release wasn’t a coincidence.
I took creative liberties with the terminology ‘mini-Wall Street’ as we know a direct descendant of one of those related to the all that transpired during those perilous times,” Dunning wrote. “Her grandmother has her picture in the Greenwood Center in Tulsa. So yes, there is a direct correlation.”
(Excerpted image of the Root Furniture building in Bristow, Oklahoma, via Google Street View)
In all the Route 66 items I have read here since first coming upon the website, this is the only one that has mentioned anyone’s race.
Apparently you’re not reading very closely.
I’ve had stories over the last few months about the Negro Motorist Green Books from the 1930s to the 1960s. In the past year, I’ve also written about Asian-American motel owners and American Indians on Route 66.
Over the years, I’ve also written about Lebanese-American restaurant owners in Oklahoma, multi-generation Latinos in the Southwest and Vietnamese restaurant owners in Oklahoma City.
And the prospective owners of the Bristow building identified themselves that way in the news release. They apparently saw it was a key part of the business’ identity and their heritage.
Eric,
This press release was picked up from an African American News Service and therefore very apropos to mention. If this was offensive to you we apologize it was not our intent. We will go one step further to correct an item regarding the location. As of February 3, 2018 we have not signed a contract.
The negotiations regarding the Root Property have stalled, unfortunately that is all I am able to state; on advice of counsel.
Eric, the next time you find yourself in or near our new location we offer you a warm welcome.
Respectfully,
#TeamACPSLLC