As the proud founders of Da Kitchen, my husband and I began our journey with a pure passion for food and a deep-rooted belief in contributing to our community here in Mankato, MN. Starting from humble beginnings, we gradually shifted from cooking meals for our friends and family to establishing our restaurant. As Black business owners, our story is about more than just running a restaurant – it's about creating a space that feels like home to our community.

Unfortunately, our journey has been pitted with hardship and adversity, not for lack of effort or dedication, but as a direct result of the color of our skin. It's a heartbreaking reality that racial discrimination is prevalent, even today, and we firmly believe it is imperative we stand against this injustice.

Da Kitchen is more than just a business. It's a symbol of our dedication to the community and the embodiment of our dreams. It's a place where the taste of our food speaks of our love and commitment. Despite all the hurdles we've encountered, our spirits remain undeterred and our resolve stronger than ever.

National statistics reveal that Black business owners face significant challenges, purely based on their race. The National Bureau of Economic Research reports that "Black business owners face discrimination in terms of financial opportunities and other resources needed to grow their businesses." We, too, are subjected to this unjust treatment, but we refuse to be victimized by such inherent racial biases.

With this petition, we call for support from the community and from everyone who believes in justice and equality. Let's stand together against the racial discrimination faced by us at Da Kitchen. Let's work towards building a community that treats everyone fairly and values the contributions of all its members, regardless of their race.

Please, sign this petition and support our fight against racial discrimination. Your signature will not just be a statement against such bigotry, it will be a beacon of hope for Da Kitchen and other Black-owned businesses across the country. Let's make a change, together. Sign this petition.