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00:00I am Tanika Griggs, Director of External Affairs for the Michigan Black Business Alliance.
00:05Uh-uh. You're an attorney, too.
00:07And I'm also an attorney.
00:08That's right.
00:09There we go. You see what I'm saying?
00:12That's what's up.
00:13And very details-oriented.
00:15If I ever get in trouble, I'm calling you.
00:18I don't care what it is.
00:19I don't care what category.
00:20I'm calling you.
00:21Give me a call.
00:22Give me a call.
00:23Yeah, Griggs.
00:24You don't miss a beat, girl.
00:26No kidding.
00:27And beautiful.
00:28That's just the perfect combination.
00:30Yes.
00:31Very beautiful.
00:33We have a long-time friend.
00:37Yes.
00:38We got separated over the years, but we have a friend with us.
00:43Beautiful, too, and charming.
00:45Angie kept saying, well, what about that kid that you met?
00:49I know, I know.
00:50I said, Angie, and she run the whole thing.
00:53Introduce yourself to everyone.
00:54So, what's up, Detroit?
00:56My name is Angela Wright.
00:57I'm the founder of Wright Hospitality.
00:58That includes Mixed Bricktown, Sandbox Lounge, Locker Room Lounge, and me and you, Kitchener Cocktails.
01:05Angie, listen.
01:07Dang.
01:07Yes.
01:08I stopped in Locker Room.
01:09I did it.
01:11Because she...
01:12See, Angie, you were made for the time.
01:15Yes.
01:16You were the right age at the right time to get all that old school experience so that you
01:22can run this new school platform.
01:26You were just, I mean, you were just right for it.
01:30And here we go.
01:32Again, tell them what you run again.
01:35So, I opened Mixed Bricktown in 2011.
01:37And tell them, explain it.
01:39Yeah.
01:39Where is it?
01:40Oh, that's in downtown Detroit.
01:41Bowlby in between Fort and Congress.
01:44So, it's been open since 2011.
01:45And then in 2018, I purchased Locker Room Lounge.
01:49And then during...
01:50What?
01:51She didn't say I worked for them.
01:52She said I purchased it.
01:56That's what she said.
01:57She said she purchased it.
01:59I don't work for them.
02:00She said I purchased it.
02:01I purchased it.
02:02Go ahead, girl.
02:03So, at that time, it was 32 years old in the city already.
02:06So, it was a turnkey business, you know, full of great regulars, great customers that,
02:11you know, we've just been able to build off of over the years.
02:14So, during COVID, we closed.
02:16Perfect time to close, honestly, to remodel the whole space and to rebrand the imaging
02:22of the brand.
02:23And then to launch again in 2022.
02:27And to great success.
02:29Thank you to the city of Detroit.
02:30And thank you to the long-term residents and regulars that come out to Locker Room Lounge
02:35all the time.
02:36We just celebrated our 40th anniversary.
02:38And, yeah, great time.
02:40It's a locker room all the time.
02:41If I hire security, she could never get in.
02:44They'd be like, we don't do, kids.
02:4630 and up.
02:47Got to be 30 and up to enter.
02:48See, look at that.
02:49Yeah.
02:50I have to raise my hand on this.
02:51Because Locker Room is in my neighborhood.
02:54And it was my birthday.
02:55And I think I was doing a Learn How to Walk in Heels party and a twerk, how you could
03:00twerk.
03:01That was my party.
03:02But my girl hit me up.
03:04She's like, girl, let me get you a drink.
03:05I said, let's just go around the block.
03:06We can go to the locker room right quick.
03:08Yeah.
03:09We get into the locker room.
03:10Now, this is, I guess, a tradition or something.
03:13So, it was my birthday.
03:15So, I want to say the bartender came over to me and said, it's your birthday.
03:19We have a special drink for you.
03:21And I was like, what?
03:23You know what I'm talking about?
03:24That was probably Cleo with the 9,000.
03:28I had to walk into my party explaining to them women.
03:31I'm sorry, y'all.
03:32I know I'm an hour late.
03:34Let me just start there.
03:36And then I was drunk.
03:37Because I had, what was the name of that thing?
03:39It's called a 9,000.
03:41Tell them about it.
03:42So, basically, it's a locker room staple.
03:46So, it's a 16-ounce glass of beer.
03:49We light the 151 on fire, drop it in the glass, and you have to shoot it down.
03:54Yes.
03:55So, now you understand.
03:57I was walking on my heels and just sitting when it was time to twerk.
04:01But I tried.
04:03But, no, I bring that up because I still remember that.
04:07And I want to say that probably was like five or six birthdays ago.
04:10And that customer service, people remember that.
04:14And for her to be so young and run it like that.
04:17Because I felt home there.
04:19And I applaud you for what you did, baby.
04:23Thank you so much.
04:24So, our motto is serving you as our favorite sport.
04:26We are a sports bar with the food trucks.
04:29So, you know, we're heavy on sports days.
04:31Our Lions games, we have a lot of great traffic on our Lions games, Pistons games.
04:36And we just try to provide the best atmosphere that we can.
04:39We give our free pom-poms, free whistles to the ladies.
04:42And then we just want people to come and have a good time at the locker room all the time,
04:46seven days a week.
04:47All right.
04:47For me, you were just a cute kid who got into the business.
04:52And I would always say, if she ever goes to try to get in a bar, they ain't even going
04:55to let her in.
04:56You learned the bar business how?
05:01So, I originally started off as a DJ once I got out of college.
05:05That was my hobby.
05:07Wait a minute.
05:07You didn't say that your mother and father had a bar.
05:11No, I'm not a legacy.
05:12You said you started off as a DJ.
05:15Where did you go to college?
05:16I went to Western Michigan University for my undergrad and Wayne State for my master's.
05:21Wow.
05:22Nice.
05:23You and yourself.
05:24Western Michigan.
05:25Shout out to my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
05:29Oh, okay.
05:30That's why we wear the red.
05:32Yep.
05:34Wow.
05:35That's where Luther Vandross went to college.
05:38Western?
05:38Yes.
05:39Yes, he did.
05:40He told his roommate that lie that he knew Dionne Warwick.
05:45And he surprised him and got tickets and took him back there.
05:48That lady said, I don't know who your friend is, but he ain't my brother.
05:51Oops.
05:53So, you DJed on campus?
05:56Yep.
05:56So, I started off DJing on campus.
05:58I started off just DJing around my friends.
06:00And then I got hired and pushed and prodded into doing...
06:04I remember it was a Zeta event on campus at the beginning of the year.
06:07So, that was the first paid event that I did.
06:09And it's always just been a paid...
06:10How much did they pay you?
06:12I think back then, maybe $300.
06:14You know what?
06:15They don't pay him $300.
06:16Wait, stop.
06:17I know.
06:17You know, that's why...
06:18Honey, let me...
06:19No.
06:21Mason used to be a teacher.
06:22No, no, no, no.
06:22No, no, no.
06:23Back in his day.
06:24And it was a Christmas story.
06:25And Christmas season is almost...
06:27No, I'm not telling that.
06:27No, that's not why I brought that.
06:28No, but I'm just saying.
06:30I'm just saying.
06:31He tell a story.
06:32How much they pay you back in your day, baby?
06:34You pay me.
06:34Right, that's what happened.
06:35I did it.
06:37But that was the same.
06:39The speakers, everything.
06:40He did all that.
06:41Loaded his car.
06:43He did all that.
06:44But like you, a sorority, a black sorority, gave me my first break.
06:50Okay, that's a good...
06:51That's a good...
06:52Okay, that's cool.
06:55But the point is, it was a black sorority.
06:57Not a black fraternity.
06:59Same for you.
07:00Not a black fraternity.
07:01We love them.
07:02But the black sororities...
07:04And like you said, they let you do it.
07:06They had never heard me.
07:09And they just gave me that shot.
07:11That's good.
07:13But now you're a DJ.
07:15So what happens next?
07:17So my moniker is DJ Linda Carter.
07:20That's what I go by.
07:21I've been DJing over 20 years.
07:22And you still do it?
07:23Oh yeah, I still do it.
07:24I've got a gig coming up this Friday.
07:27And then I have Wayne State next Friday.
07:31So yeah, still, it's a hobby that I love to do, you know, like on my spare time.
07:36Or I'll make time for it.
07:38Incredible.
07:39Okay.
07:39So from there, like, you know, with me being in the clubs and in the bars and seeing...
07:45I got my real estate license, so I was kind of moving in those type of spaces, investment
07:50spaces anyway.
07:51So, you know, as a DJ, I would be in the bars and the clubs.
07:55And then I just looked on the other side like, okay, so they bought that bottle for $50.
07:59And they're selling it for $300.
08:01Then maybe I'm on the wrong side of the bar.
08:03Wow.
08:04Which brings me to the question.
08:07Because it sounds like a movie.
08:09You don't come from legacy, as you said, in the bar business.
08:14You start out as a DJ.
08:16You have a real estate license, so you understand the purchasing of businesses and that kind of
08:22thing.
08:22But here's where most bars and clubs fall down and have to lock their doors.
08:29They cannot manage liquor and food correctly.
08:33How did you learn that craft?
08:35Well, it's definitely a learned behavior.
08:37And it's like a muscle.
08:39It's like shooting in a gym.
08:40You have to continue to practice and practice.
08:42You got to know your numbers.
08:43You got to know your margins.
08:45And you have to take it seriously, even though it can be a lot of fun to be in the
08:48bars and
08:48you may get a lot of attention or whatever the case may be.
08:51Whatever your why is that you need to figure out.
08:53But ultimately, my service has always been why.
08:55It's always been being able to provide great spaces for people to enjoy their lives and have
08:59great memories.
09:00That's my why.
09:01So that's why I work on the back end to make sure that I understand the business that my
09:05why is in.
09:06So I would say to other entrepreneurs that endeavor to be in the business to just focus
09:09on, number one, what your why is and be truthful to yourself about what that is.
09:13And then also learn the business.
09:15Take time to always do continued education, professional development programs, et cetera,
09:20et cetera, like what Michigan Black Business Association Alliance offers to be able to build
09:26to be able to build within your craft.
09:28You meet the Black Business Alliance how?
09:33So I joined several years ago when it was Detroit, was it?
09:38Yep.
09:39It was just Detroit based at the time.
09:40And then it became Michigan based.
09:42And then I've just always appreciated the programming and the resources that it's had to offer black
09:48businesses in Detroit.
09:49And most importantly, now in the state of Michigan, it's well needed.
09:53It's definitely a valuable resource that anyone can take an advantage of on any level.
09:57And so I've just chosen to do the most I can to be associated with it as it continues
10:02to grow.
10:02Wow.
10:03Incredible story.
10:04A movie.
10:06A motivational movie.
10:07I mean, your whole package is just phenomenal.
10:10I mean, you just, you, you the deal.
10:14Period.
10:15I mean, I'm taking my coffee and enjoying this baby.
10:18Listen, and the next time, because it happens to me so often.
10:21What?
10:22Next time somebody says, hey man, you ever been to the locker room?
10:25Man, I know the damn old say that.
10:28Are you kidding?
10:29Period.
10:29I know when she was a kid.
10:31She still looked like a kid, don't she?
10:33Can I get a locker room?
10:35A locker room.
10:36A locker room.
10:37Go room, baby.
10:43You know we're going to get it for you.
10:45The West Side is my hood.
10:47So I grew up, you know, patronizing the stores back in the day.
10:51The two most authentic historical bars, go ahead.
10:59Go ahead.
11:00Because I was going to go there.
11:01You was taking my idea.
11:02Because I was, I grew up going, I grew up, I grew up going to the stores on Livermore.
11:08He threw off my train of thought.
11:10But I went, now, what I see, and what he was getting ready to say, the hottest bars, Baker's.
11:16No, no, the most historic.
11:19Historic.
11:19Bars in Detroit.
11:21Detroit.
11:21Okay, well, I'm just saying hot because I see cars lined up and it look like a party going up.
11:26Locker room.
11:27And, uh.
11:28Baker's and Teresa's Place.
11:30Baker's.
11:31Teresa's Place is on 6th, my dog.
11:32No, no, no.
11:33See?
11:34I'm talking about in Detroit.
11:36These are historical spots where people's parents, and like your story.
11:40Yeah.
11:41Those is where those stories live and come from.
11:43And when people come here, these are places they want to go to.
11:48Right.
11:48Yeah.
11:49That's real.
11:50These are places people want to go to.
11:51But I just, I just see your club.
11:53They be bragging.
11:54Your club be consistently packed.
11:55They be bragging.
11:57And it don't be, it's not good.
11:59The little crazy parking guy that they used to, that was his thing.
12:03Mace, you got to come up to me.
12:04I remember.
12:06Like, Mace, you got to go with me to the locker room, man.
12:09And I just want to take a second to, like, give, like, much respect and kudos to the team of
12:14Locker Room, Mixed Brick Town, Sandbox, and me and you.
12:17You know, we work hard together on the back end, but there's no me without you.
12:22There's no I in team.
12:23So we all just work together to continue to build for the city of Detroit.
12:26We're really passionate about what we do, and I just want to just tell them I appreciate them.
12:30So, Angie, you were good in school, though, huh?
12:32You were a good student?
12:33I got through.
12:34I got through.
12:35You like numbers, though, huh?
12:37No.
12:37Never really been a numbers girl.
12:39What did you like about school?
12:40I like culture.
12:42Like, you know, I like culture.
12:43I like arts.
12:44I love music.
12:46So that's been my driving force.
12:48Like, you know, my job is curate experiences within establishments.
12:51So I hold the vision for that.
12:53So me being a DJ, me being always a lover of culture and arts, has been able to afford me
12:58the opportunity to, like, build businesses off ideas.
13:02So what's me and you before we let you go?
13:05So me and you, me and you, Kitchen and Cocktails is the newest concept that we have, myself and Courtney
13:10Sanders.
13:10So Courtney was one of my first hires at Mixed Bricktown over 15 years ago.
13:15And so, you know, it was always her dream to be able to be a part of an establishment, own
13:23an establishment, and be on her own.
13:24And so we decided to come together and create me and you, Kitchen and Cocktails.
13:28So I'm me, she's you.
13:31There's no me without you.
13:32You know, when I was in the trenches at Mixed Bricktown, you know, things were coming along, coming up the
13:37pipeline over the years.
13:38She was there for me.
13:39Sometimes we was in there watching paint dry together.
13:42Say that.
13:42You know, like, so, you know, when it comes down to it, I'm always going to invest in the people
13:46that invest in me.
13:47I'm always going to invest in my team.
13:48And so that's what me and you is all about.
13:50And where is it located?
13:51Yeah.
13:52That's on both.
13:53I mean, I'm sorry.
13:53That's on Harper and Casual.
13:56Got it.
13:56On the Detroit's east side.
13:57All right.
13:58Don't you stop.
13:59Don't change.
14:00Keep going.
14:01And thank you to MBBA, very much so.
14:05I'm a member.
14:06I'm also a black business champion for MBBA.
14:11Very, like, lent a ton of assistance for us to be a part of the NFL draft.
14:17That was a huge experience for Locker Room.
14:19That was a great branding opportunity and, you know, just a revenue generating stream to be a part of the
14:24NFL draft.
14:25And that was directly because of MBBA.
14:27And then now with me being selected as one of 20 members to be a part of the Hardy Hospitality
14:34Visit Detroit combination when it comes to being a cohort in that, being in the cohort of that, with that
14:43comes along the pipeline of the NCAA Final Four that's taking place in April.
14:48So just valuable resources that come from MBBA, priceless resources.
14:53Anybody that owns a business or starting a business or has an idea for a business should definitely tap in.
14:59Beautiful.
14:59Tony?
15:00Yeah, Tony.
15:01Give us your thoughts as we close out here.
15:04Of course, I'm always thank you guys for having us.
15:06Thank you, Angie, for believing in the work that we're doing and continuing to show up.
15:09So she is one of our black business champions.
15:11So not only is she a member, but she's a champion, which means that on the back end, she insures
15:15and makes individual donations to the organization because she believes in the work that we're doing.
15:19That's beautiful.
15:20So we really, really thank her for that.
15:21And please, we have our all-member meeting that is on Thursday.
15:25So if you are interested in becoming a member of the Michigan Black Business Alliance or just learning about more
15:31that we do, please come out 28 West Adams 6 to 8 on this Thursday.
15:35And we also have our annual fundraiser, the Black Party.
15:38The theme is Superfly.
15:39That is December 16th.
15:40Tickets are on sale.
15:41You can catch it on our website.
15:44And that's all I have to do.
15:45No, no, no, no, no.
15:47You got to talk about the meeting Thursday.
15:49I'm sorry.
15:49I'm trying to say that to the people.
15:51I'm going to be there.
15:52Yeah.
15:52Angie going to be there.
15:54The other Angie.
15:55Marketing with Angie.
15:56That's right.
15:57She will be in the building.
15:58So come on out.
15:59Yeah.
15:59She's excited, too.
16:01Yeah, I am.
16:02She's real real.
16:0328 West Adams 6 to 8 p.m.
16:056 to 8.
16:06Angie's star will appear.
16:08That's right.
16:09And what will your message be?
16:10I'm going to teach them about marketing using our social media with radio.
16:14The whole combination.
16:16How to tell the world your niche and, you know, develop your brain.
16:21That'll be Thursday between 6 and 8 p.m.
16:25So you got to show up at 6.
16:25There will be food provided as well.
16:27Oh, yeah.
16:27And this is good.
16:29It's good.
16:30It'll be on West Adams.
16:32Yes, 28 West Adams.
16:3328 West Adams.
16:35Yep.
16:35Sweet 800.
16:36Beautiful.
16:37Michigan Black Business Alliance.
16:39Business Alliance.
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