ON OPENING URBAN HANG SUITE

I remember being asked to speak at CreativeMornings and the topic was Mystery I had just left Mama J’s brand and was stepping out to create my own thing When we think of mystery, we think of the unknown We question things I kept envisioning a big question mark and then I led with that question mark. I knew I wanted to create a coffee place that fueled connections and was a hub of culture, but I led with WHY I was creating this space

My why has stayed the same I wanted to connect the people who were doing dope things in this city with more opportunities I am still committed to living my passions for food, sports, arts, and education out loud. Passion drives this space and it can help us make space

People come in here to “ear-hustle,” to hear what’s going on in the streets Our location is central We’re connected to politics, higher education, arts and culture, and to your everyday human who doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from or what sleeping arrangements will be available That all happens right here in this neighborhood, on this corner

"The pandemic made talking to each other HARD. It made connecting hard. We had to rethink how we checked in on each other and how we GATHERED. It had to be quick. Now we can have deeper conversations again "

"When I walk into a room, I lead with Black. I know some women wonder why I don’t lead with being a woman, but some women have had access to places that I haven’t as a Black woman. I have to start with Black. l think there is space for everybody to be involved "

When we own the spaces we operate in, we build a foundation. Some people don’t think that it’s even an opportunity to own their space and be able to pass it down That’s what creates generational wealth That’s what lessens the struggle Having locally-owned longterm investments supports the city and its people It goes back to having a seat at the table If we’re not at the table when development is discussed, we don’t have a voice When we own the space, we do have a voice

This area was once highly Black- and Brown-owned and throughout our history, people have been displaced. How can we create a seat at the table and make space to ensure that everyone has a voice? We have to be at the table before the next opportunity even arises And, when we don’t have a seat at the table, we build another table That’s what we’ve done

UHS is a space of transition and evolution Every great space changes We’re changing right now We’re looking at how to continue to show what Richmond is all about and what it means to “Live Richmond ”

I think every local place in Richmond, especially in the hospitality field, is looking carefully at the experiences we provide. Notice I didn’t say “service,” I said experience. I believe it’s our job to know what’s happening in the city and connect people to relevant experiences And not just locals I want to know who’s at the convention center or staying up the road at the Marriott and the Hilton and help them see what’s happening locally I want to offer them suggestions on other places to check out and pay it forward

Richmond is known as the birthplace of Black entrepreneurship and the work we’re doing in this space is rooted in leveraging our collective networks, resources, and information to build sustainable Blackowned businesses

The Jackson Ward Collective® (JWC) is a group of Black business owners that receives coaching, access to resources, and support of the community to help make their businesses thrive

The JWC Foundation exists to help Black business owners learn, grow, and have the support to own their businesses.

Owning a business is more than putting a name on the door and registering a website It’s about owning all aspects of the business to make it viable, scalable, and profitable It’s about owning the physical space in addition to owning the work that is being done