Beneath the high ceilings of the third floor ballroom of the Minneapolis Club, about a hundred colleagues, church friends and business associates of Sheletta Brundidge mingled at her happy hour, meant to introduce them to the club where Brundidge is a member.
“People have maybe seen this place or wondered about it, but no one ever invited them in,” said Brundidge. “I thought it was about time to change that, especially for my fellow Black women business owners.”
Brundidge, a podcaster, broadcaster and founder of ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com , invited the group to join her at an evening soiree that featured a jazz trumpeter, light appetizers and her own signature cocktail; “The Sheletta” is a blend of vodka and pineapple juice and ginger beer.
“When I worked downtown I used to sit at the bus stop across the street and look at this building and wonder about it,” said Jernell Suttle, owner of Suttle Orchids Salon. “I feel like I’m in Bridgeton right now; I need my dance card filled.”
Elizabeth Peak and her husband Casey hired a babysitter for the first time since their youngest child was born nine months ago.
“I’ve always wanted to visit the Minneapolis Club to see what it’s like. I love history and architecture, so this is a treat,” Elizabeth said.
“I was curious about feeling comfortable at at this event but there are some great conversations happening,” said artist and board game developer Audrey Clausen, who attended the happy hour with her daughter Brittany.
“I felt very bougie when I walked in her. The longer I’m here, the classier I feel,” laughed Brittany, CEO of Envision Greatness. “I think it’s fabulous. I love the energy in the room.”
The Minneapolis Club was founded as a private club more than a century ago as an exclusive place where the city’s prominent men got together to socialize, entertain and do business.
Decades ago, the club changed with the times to expand who could become a member. Today, the Minneapolis Club “seeks a diverse membership with no discrimination based on gender, sex, race, religion, disability, age, marital status, or national origin,” according to its website.
“The first time I was invited here, lunch was great but I didn’t see anyone who looked like me,” Brundidge said. “Right away I asked for a tour and I could see the benefits of being a member. Now I can open the door to other Black leaders.”
Members of the elegant club at 729 2nd Ave South have access to the restaurant and bar, fitness and aquatic center, co-working and event spaces.
Club managers said that they have strategized about how to expand the diversity of the membership. They applauded Brundidge’s efforts to welcome more people of color and expand their outreach efforts.
“The Minneapolis Club is built on connection, community and networking. We are broadening and stretching and growing with Minneapolis and we want to meet everyone,” said membership director Sarah Longacre.
Many of the guests attending Brundidge’s happy hour opted to take a tour of the gracious historic building. Led by Daniel Olson, the longtime Maitre d’Hotel of the Minneapolis Club, the guests got a chance to wander into the paneled library, peek into the guest hotel rooms and see the workout facility for themselves.
“You never think that you can be in a space like this; to have this opportunity is amazing. Sometimes you feel limited to where you can be and be accepted,” said LaToya White, owner of Angel’s Delightful Creations. “By Sheletta having this event, she is showing us anything is possible.”
“Walking in here, it’s like, whoa! It feels very rich, elegant, grand,” said Monique Garza, real estate agent and Cottage Grove City Council member. “Working in real estate, my eyes have been opened to the divide in Minnesota. I would not have come here if Sheletta would not have invited me.”
Brundidge said she hoped that exposure to the benefits of the club might persuade some of the people on her guest list to consider joining her as members.
“When you ask a client to meet you at the Minneapolis Club, that’s for real,” Brundidge said. “All of this is for us and our families too.”
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