Today we’d like to introduce you to Quineka Ragsdale.
Hi Quineka, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Oak Cliff can be a polarized city sometimes. I say city because 122 years ago that’s what it was. I didn’t know all of this while growing up in DISD schools, but I always knew to be proud of where I’m from. I was proud to attend Roosevelt High School (Velt Dawgz) in Oak Cliff even though they told us DISD built our school in the basement, because our 3rd floor was street level. They said DISD did that because it was the first school built in the city for Black students. We didn’t care about all of that. We knew if that was true being first and Black was something to be proud of. More than that, the school also meant legacy, because I had two generations attend Roosevelt before me and you’d be hard pressed to find another student that didn’t belong to a lineage of Velt Dawgz.
Even when an entire freeway (I-35) was built to divide North Oak Cliff from South Oak Cliff, Oak Cliff dwellers still managed to hold pride and legacy in who we were. Almost anywhere in the country you can yell, “Oak Cliff, that’s my hood,” and they’ll finish the song for you. That’s the culture I was born into. The culture I grew up in and the culture I knew I wanted assigned to my business.
The historical disinvestment in the southern sector made me want to leave the city limits. But I was building a business model that improves the area that it is in and makes space for community and community businesses. So I fought hard to put that investment in Southern Oak Cliff.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Have you heard of the city of Dallas zoning department? They make it seem like its one department but its really like four who don’t communicate well with each other. That was probably my first huge hurdle.
Opening a business is hard work. Even if you do all of the research, have all of the funding and an air tight business plan there are still hurdles and I just may have jumped over all of them. Planning for my business took over a year, finding a space another and getting the necessary permits another year. The market we’re in now isn’t the same market during planning and very well may not be the same market a year from now. Being flexible, finding the right mix, staying the course and keeping motivation high is a constant whirlwind. But if it was easy…every one would do it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ujima Socials?
Ujima Socials is an Oak Cliff event space that merges elegance with efficiency and affordability. Our space is fully draped in white, with gold Chiavari chairs, black tablecloths and plenty of free parking. We offer three table sizes and a customizable space so that each party is unique to its host.
In addition to a rental space, we’re building unity in our community. We highlight local businesses in our free monthly community events. We give people in the southern sector positive options with events such as crafting events, book clubs and artist showcases. We highlight the positivity in southern Oak Cliff.
How do you think about luck?
I think sometimes things happen for a reason and sometimes things just happen. I’ve been able to build my business because of all the time, energy and money I’ve put into it. I meet amazing people because I attract positive energy and repel negative energy. Luck is preparation meeting opportunity and I’m always prepared to meet the next one. And who knows, tomorrow I’ll probably get booked for the next two years. Let’s see how this luck works out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ujimasocials.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ujimasocials/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563942021854
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UjimaSocials
