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Store Accused of Racism After Closing During Homecoming

The CEO of Love's Country Stores apologized for any misunderstanding.

By Da'Janai Woods
Black College Wire

A Oklahoma-based convenience store chain and Langston University met to resolve differences after one of the stores closed its doors to people heading home from Langston's late-night homecoming activities.

"On behalf of Langston University, I accept the company's apology and look forward to building a long-term partnership with Love's Country Stores," JoAnn Haysbert, president of the school, said in a statement. "Love's has already shown a positive interest in Langston by employing our students through the years and supporting campus events with in-kind donations. I believe the recent events will only aid in solidifying what has the potential to be a great alliance between Love's and Langston University."

However, Jenny Love, the company spokeswoman, said her father, Tom Love, the chairman and CEO, "apologized for any miscommunication that may have occurred. That's what the apology is. We do not regret that we closed the store," which she said the store did on the advice of police.

The spokeswoman agreed that the chain, Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores, will create internship programs for Langston students and see how it can fit in with Langston's 10-year strategic plan.

During homecoming weekend at the Langston, Okla., school, the Love's store in nearby Guthrie, normally open 24 hours, closed for three hours. According to Victor Faucett, the store manager, the business was closed Oct. 28 to prevent possible acts of theft, vandalism and unruly behavior by participants in the homecoming activities.

Andrea Bennett, a Langston alumna and Guthrie resident, said she tried to buy gasoline from Love's at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday. She said the lights were off, but she saw people in the parking lot and decided to see what was going on.

She said she asked a Love's employee, a white man who was smoking outside, whether the store was closed, and he replied yes. When she asked him why that was, he said, "Because of the Langston University party. We don't want 'those people' here," according to Bennett. Bennett alerted a number of people by e-mail.

Victoria Thomas, another Langston alumna, was one of those who e-mailed a complaint to Love's' corporate office.

A representative from Love's returned her e-mail and said the store closed because of an increase in theft and unruly behavior the preceding Thursday and Friday nights, as well as two years ago during Langston's homecoming weekend.

At that time, according to Faucett and Love's public relations officials, a large number of people came into the store, intimidated the store associates and stole thousands of dollars in merchandise.

Faucett said he and his staff, which includes Langston students, did not want to take the chance of having the store vandalized again, or employees getting hurt.

Kevin Saffold, a junior organizational management major from Los Angeles, said when he arrived at the store on that Saturday its sign said "open," but the door was locked. He said when he asked why the door was locked, an employee standing outside changed the sign from "open" to "closed." He says he felt disrespected, and said the employee was rude to him and his friends. Saffold said he submitted a formal complaint to Love's and will no longer support the store with his business.

"I felt discriminated against all the way around," Saffold said.

Bennett was eventually contacted by Jenny Love, the company's director of public relations. Bennett said Love was very empathetic, apologetic, and attempted to take responsibility.

Bennett said she recommended creating a team and devising a plan of attack on how to prevent future incidents, while keeping the store open.

Guthrie Police Chief Damon Deveraux had a similar suggestion. He said he hoped that the manager at Love's and people coordinating Langston's homecoming would create a plan to alleviate potential problems. He added that he did not think the incident was racially motivated, and that it was unfortunate that people had to suffer because of past events.

After the uproar, a meeting between Langston and Love's officials took place Nov. 6.

Attending were Ashley Gibson, the university's public relations director, Gibson; Brent Goodman, a spokesman for Love's; Tom Love, founder, chairman and CEO; Haysbert; Roderick Smothers, Langston vice president for the office of institutional advancement and development; and Melvin Hall, a Langston alumnus.

David Stephens, president of the Langston National Alumni Association, said in a statement afterward:

"I respect the Love[']s Management for assuming responsibility for this situation and engaging Langston University Administration in a dialogue focused on a resolution. I am also confident that the planned modifications to their employee training programs will promote greater cultural sensitivity and awareness throughout their organization.

"As President of the Langston University National Alumni Association, I am satisfied that the actions Love's Management Team has taken and the improved relationship with the Langston University Family should significantly reduce the possibility of this type of event being repeated."

Da'Janai Woods, a student at Langston University, writes for the Langston Gazette.

Posted Nov. 10, 2006