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Rooted in 38126: Owner of Poor Man’s store rich with friends and neighbors

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “The Poor Man’s Store was built in 1947,” said Matthews. “I kept the original name of the store, and it became ‘Matthews Poor Man’s Store.’ I could have lived anywhere I wanted, but I chose to stay in this community. I felt it was God’s purpose for me to stay and do whatever I could to be a blessing to young people and their families.”

Published

7 years ago

March 30, 2019

Oakland Post

“Rooted in 38126” is a part of an extended look at life inside one of America’s poorest ZIP codes, just south of downtown Memphis, Tenn. From this perspective we tell stories of hope in the midst of hardship and poverty perched next to progress.

By Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell, Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Defying the odds, Dave Matthews has operated his thriving business, Matthews Poor Man’s Store, in the heart of 38126 since 1978, serving as a beacon of light and achievement for the community’s impoverished children.

Earlier this month, longtime neighbors and friends joined the Matthews family in marking his 71st birthday with a luncheon at the historic Four Way Grill Restaurant.

March 9 is a day Matthews will always remember as those closest to the businessman showered him with words of appreciation for making a difference in his community.

“It was great being around all my loved ones and many friends who helped me celebrate my birthday,” said Matthews. “It’s always good when others recognize you for the good you have tried to do.

“The Lord has blessed me, and my business is still open after 40 years. But what is more important than that, I have tried to invest in young people’s lives. That is what I am most proud of and will continue to do as long as God allows me.”

The secret to Matthews’ success is his willingness to evolve with the times. Matthews came to Memphis, like so many others, from Mississippi.

“Well, everybody knows that the capitol of Mississippi is Memphis and Chicago,” he said. “We left Mississippi in search of a better life, and I believed that God would give me greater opportunities to provide for my family. He did just that.”

Matthews came to live in the South Memphis community in 1966. In 1968, he bought a home less than a block from Ballistroni’s Poor Man’s Store, 428 South Orleans. Ten years after purchasing his home, Matthews bought the Poor Man’s Store.

“The Poor Man’s Store was built in 1947,” said Matthews. “I kept the original name of the store, and it became ‘Matthews Poor Man’s Store.’ I could have lived anywhere I wanted, but I chose to stay in this community. I felt it was God’s purpose for me to stay and do whatever I could to be a blessing to young people and their families.”

Matthews’ middle daughter, Debra Ann, watched her father take a stand in those early years to help children and teens of the Foote Homes community turn their lives around.

“He would hire young boys and girls to work in the store, giving them their first paid job. Many were as young as 12 years old. My father wanted them to feel the dignity and pride of doing an honest day’s work and getting paid for that work. So many were headed for a life of crime because there were so few good examples for them to follow. Dad wanted to change all that,” she said.

Although Matthews received no formal training in business administration, he learned some tried-and-true business principles that have kept the Poor Man’s Store a continuously profitable business.

“When I first took over the store, it was a full-fledged grocery store with a meat market and full deli bar,” he said. “But you have to offer what sells. So I closed the meat market years ago and started selling beepers, cell phones, computer repair services, installed and sold satellites, income tax services, and opened a barbershop. I had to change with the times. If you want to stay in business, you have to identify the needs and then address those needs.”

Matthews paid the tuition to barber school for many young boys and allowed them to work in the barbershop he built. He has also counseled young married couples and aspiring ministers of the gospel. As a community store, Matthews’ store has employed former prostitutes, taking them off the corner and giving them gainful employment, all as part of his ministry, he said.

He sings a little song for customers who visit the store:

“God woke me up this morning and started me on my way,
He’s been doing it for 71 years, and that’s all I got to say.”

“Mr. Dave,” as he is known to some, will even challenge visitors to a game of checkers. But be forewarned, he hardly loses a game.

“These young fellows come in, and they think they can beat me in a checkers game,” said Matthews. “I let them know they can’t beat me, and then I show them. But the game is just a way for me to talk with these young men and give them the guidance they need.”
Matthews and his wife, Shirley, have nine children and eight grandchildren.

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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

By Jana Lang Propel Youth Reporter

Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.

Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).

Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.

According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”

Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.

EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”

Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.

An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”

The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.

The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”

The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”

Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.

Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.

Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.

The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts

Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ

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The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts

Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY

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The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.