Formal Statement

I'd like to address the false accusations that have recently been discussed online. It's sad for me that I have to make this statement at all, but I've watched an intentionally false narrative spread online and important context has intentionally been left out. 

And because of the serious accusations that have been made against me, my son, and my business, my hand was forced. 

As a QUEER Black woman, being accused of homophobia is particularly painful. 

My goal here is to provide full transparency, add the missing context that has been intentionally left out, and give you the full version of events. 

The issue between Kal and my family’s business initially began on April 17, 2026. That day, Kal was vending in front of my storefront. I asked the landlord to ask him not to sell in front of my store. Shortly afterwards, he proceeded to speak to me in the most vile, aggressive manner. 

I am 5'1". Kal is approximately over six feet and much bigger than I am. He stood over me, looming above me while yelling at me outside my business. My 73-year-old mother was there. Customers and members of the public were there. He said some of the most vile things anyone has ever said to me. He repeatedly called me a bitch. He repeatedly called me a cunt. He repeatedly yelled, "Are you fucking dumb?" and "Are you fucking stupid?" 

I felt threatened. I felt unsafe. My mother felt unsafe. One of my neighbours later came to me and told me how unsafe she felt after witnessing what happened. 

His behaviour became so aggressive that a complete stranger felt compelled to step in to defend me, stayed with me, and came back to make sure we were safe. 

The impact of that incident did not end that day. 

I live with mental health challenges and after what happened, I did not feel safe returning to my workspace for two weeks because I could not bring myself to come down to my own store. That part doesn't show up in a video. The anxiety doesn't show up in a video. The fear doesn't show up in a video. The impact doesn't show up in a video. 

After learning what had happened, I called my son and told him what happened. He came down immediately. He told Kal that he was being disrespectful and threatening to his mother, told him to stay away from the business, and to stop harassing his family. 

Kal responded: "Yeah, because she deserved it." 

My son attempted to tell him to stay away from his mother, grandmother, and our business. Instead of having that conversation, Kal immediately ran across the street yelling: "He assaulted me! He assaulted me!" That was the context of the first video he posted to create this false narrative. The following day, my son again attempted to speak with him. No physical altercation occurred. Instead, Kal again claimed he had been assaulted and directed the F-slur at my son. 

Months later on June 19, the third incident took place and some of what happened that day is in the video that circulated this weekend.

Earlier that day, Kal was walking down the street. My son was standing there. My son did not move out of his way, and Kal had to walk around him. Kal later claimed that this was intimidation. After that, Kal once again came directly into my place of business. 

He entered a store where my 73-year-old mother and customers were present and began yelling at my son. Once again, he initiated the interaction, he chose to come directly into my business, and he chose to create a scene in the place where I earn my livelihood. When my son thought the harassment was about to become physical against his grandmother, he defended her. 

The video being circulated online clearly shows him again directing the F-slur at my son and that was the first time any physical altercation happened between them. We do not choose violence in our family, but when pushed, we will push back. 

What the video being shared online does not show is everything that happened before that moment. The video posted does not show what even fully happened that day.

And most importantly, what the video does not show is homophobia. 

BECAUSE THERE WAS NONE. 

This was never about anyone’s sexuality. It was never about hatred toward anyone because of who they are. You may not agree with how my son defended my mother and the women who were in our space at that moment, but his actions were not motivated by hate.

It was a personal conflict that has been reframed as something it was not. The police determined that my son was not the aggressor, and no charges were laid. 

It is also worth noting that Kal has since been evicted from the premises. 210 Augusta is a collective space occupied by multiple small businesses. In a relatively short period of time, repeated disturbances led to him being asked to leave. That is also part of the story. 

What I find most disturbing is the attempt to weaponize sexuality and turn a personal conflict into an accusation of homophobia. 

I find that deeply manipulative. I also find the irony impossible to ignore. 

I created Blaque & Co. to be a place where women feel supported. A place where women feel seen. A place where women feel safe. 

Yet this entire conflict began with a man making me feel threatened and unsafe inside my own business. 

To then watch that same situation be reframed into a false narrative of homophobia is something I find deeply manipulative. 

That is exactly why I felt compelled to provide the missing context. 

As a Queer Black woman, I know firsthand what discrimination feels like. I know what it feels like to be judged, dismissed, excluded, treated differently, or threatened because of who you are. 

That is why these accusations are so painful. 

They are not only inconsistent with what happened. They are inconsistent with my family’s values and the values of this business. 

At its core, Blaque & Co. was built on inclusivity. I created this business to support people. To make people feel seen. To serve people who often feel overlooked, underserved, or forgotten. Blaque & Co. has always welcomed people of every background, identity, and sexuality. 

That has not changed. That will not change.

This was not homophobia.

The facts remain the facts. This has now become a police matter and we will continue to work with the police to resolve it. 

Thank you for reading.

Cici, Jaden, and Nannie,
Blaque & Co. Wellness 

Contact: R. Roberts | info@waitheavenue.com | 647-931-5779