Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shakirah DeMesier. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shakirah, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

We opened the café/cocktail bar to support Black entrepreneurs in overcoming the unique barriers faced when building sustainable businesses. From finding new clientele, getting distribution, testing out new products, we help Black entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry by using their products in our shop. 95% of the alcohol we carry at the bar is Black-owned. Our fresh pressed juices are locally sourced from a Black-owned farm. We get our banana bread from a local baker and our coffee from Panama.

As a writer, director and actor I’ve been dedicated to social impact within and for the Black diaspora. As a Haitian-American it’s important for me to showcase my culture and the culture of other marginalized people.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Haitian-American storyteller with a degree in marketing from Hofstra University. I worked in marketing for about half a decade after college. After realizing I had no desire to climb the corporate ladder, I became a full-time actor and writer; touring all over the US with a theatre company, After realizing how unsustainable the entertainment market was, I went back to corporate …but in a different capacity. I worked as a marketing strategist and general business consultant for small businesses. Then eventually just a consultant for small Black-owned businesses. Then eventually, simultaneously, an actor, writer, director, consultant and business owner.

The Upper Room is a café and cocktail bar in Atlanta, GA that I’m honored to co-own. We dedicate the space to allowing entrepreneurs in the food and beverage space to thrive by providing a jumping board. We provide the next step to the next step. Our customers are able to enjoy a well crafted cocktail and locally made snacks in a welcoming environment and our partners have the opportunity to have new customers try their goods.

My purpose in my business and in my art is to tell and help people tell marginalized stories and to make cultures and people feel important again.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I moved to Atlanta with no furniture and enough money for two months rent and a goal: to act in tv and film and I did it. I was 30 years old and sometimes couldn’t afford a meal. It was bad for a few months and then I got back to myself and began to thrive.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

We pride ourselves in understanding what people want: a third space. A space that has craft latte’s, quiet enough to work, nice enough for a date, serves food, has music but isn’t a club with an option for a craft cocktail. People want to commune. We’ve created a space for that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.upperroomatl.com
• Instagram: @pleasedontcallmeshak

Image Credits

Nathan C. @littlecoachtmbtc

Sara Keith