Community activist Melannie Denise Cunningham is on a mission to bring something unique to Pierce County where people of all races and socio-economic backgrounds can come together, mingle, play and raise revenue to fund charitable and community causes. Now she needs people to come forward and help make it happen.
A student in the master’s of business administration program at Pacific Lutheran University (and also associate director of admissions there), Cunningham is working on a class project she wants to bring to fruition as an established business structured as a non-profit organization. To do so, she is in the process of writing a business plan for her project, which is to open and operate a social card room in Lakewood with the featured game being bid whist, a game popular among African Americans and soldiers in the military.
The target population, or consumer for this venture is the African American community, and by also welcoming anyone who wishes to take part in celebrating, promoting and preserving African American culture, Cunningham intends to capitalize on such community unity, which will in turn generate revenue under her plan. Her vision is to create an innovative and inclusive place, where people will have fun getting to know each other over card games, and tournaments will be held to raise money. The card room would be licensed by the state of Washington to legally hold tournaments, give out cash prizes and direct proceeds to fund community and charitable causes. In addition to the card room, the plan calls for a Wi-fi cafe with a focus on “soul vegetarian” cuisine as well as a meeting/training space and an information center.
“It’s not just for African Americans, but for everyone to grow, learn and experience African American culture,” she explained. “Around here that’s strongly in need. In order for the venture to be successful, it will have to serve a diverse population. Even though the main driver is African American culture, there are many people who care about the African American community and want to learn more about or connect better with it. This business is envisioned to be the connection point or networking center for that purpose.”
As part of drawing up her business plan, Cunningham must conduct market research by surveying a sample population of targeted consumers. She needs the community to weigh in to confirm that in fact this would be a business they would patronize, so she is firing up the grill for “Bid Whist & Barbeque” on June 6. A “B.Y.O.M.” affair (bring your own meat), Cunningham is planning a day of food, fun and fellowship for those who come by to relax, play cards and take part in her survey. “This is a way to put the card room idea into action,” she said.
Those who would like to attend “Bid Whist & Barbeque” are asked to RSVP to Cunningham by calling her at (253) 682-9264 or e-mail melannied@yahoo.com. It will be held at University House on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University, 715 121st St.
