>> back in the day, d.c. was like detroit, los angeles, major cities with large populations of black folks where segregation led to enterpriseship. since black people couldn't go downtown to shop and see shows, they had their own. >> there were tentists and doctors and jewelry stores and all kinds of black businesses here: this was the main drag. here i am. >> look at you! >> how does a business stay open for more than 70 years? >> my grandparents decorated the white house. there were not a lot of black people in the picture -- >> this could be a current white house photo. >> number two, you change with the times. i never have seen a florist shop with so many computers. they were working the phones and it's like a telethon. this is our patriarch.