Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is facing heavy criticism over his decision to reopen the state for business on Friday, April 24.
While many in the business community applauded the governor for his courage, others in the Black community expressed contempt toward Kemp for putting Black lives at risk.
Prominent Black business owners in Atlanta say they won’t reopen their establishments until they get the green light from the CDC.
Rap producer and DJ Jermaine Dupri called Kemp’s decision “reckless and unilateral”.
And the city’s mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, is also encouraging people to use “common sense” and continue to stay at home.
But rapper/entrepreneur 2 Chainz is appreciative of Gov. Kemp’s efforts to jumpstart the local economy.
The rapper and his business partner Mychel “Snoop” Dillard (pictured above) are reopening their Atlanta restaurants for sit-down service.
Both restaurants, Escobar and Tapas, are serving dine-in meals starting Monday, according to Snoop, who tells TMZ they’re making public safety a top priority.
The co-owners are mindful of the fears expressed by many in the community, but they have a plan to keep folks safe from COVID-19.
In a recent interview, Snoop, who manages both restaurants, said the lack of business forced her to lay off 80% of her staff.
“I have seen a significant decrease in revenue by 80 percent and my income has been reduced to zero dollars,” she told The Atlanta Voice magazine.
With dine-in service resumed, Snoop says they’re planning to bring back 65% of restaurant staff — 80 people — and the hope is to have everyone back at work eventually.
According to TMZ, 2 Chainz and Snoop donated hundreds of meals to medical workers on the frontlines, and they plan to give more free meals to workers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.
