My Story

Hello, my name is Jeion Green and as the child of a single Mom whose father figure was a drug abuser and alcoholic, growing up I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t become anything like him. However, In April of 2018 before I was about to graduate from Parsons, The New School in New York City I started drinking to help with my need for escapism. Escapism from the pressures of life, school, and graduation. After I graduated, I moved to Los Angeles where when living with a friend went south, I found myself homeless, and after I was sexually assaulted I fell into a deep depression that made me drink heavier. I was an addict but was in heavy denial until I started living in a household with an in-house landlord that was also an alcoholic. It wasn’t until I found myself passed out in the middle of the street almost dead that I finally recognized I needed a change. But I felt ashamed and scared to ask for help because it felt like the world was already rooting against me as a minority. So, I suffered alone for a while on my journey to recovery. On December 1, 2018, I decided to stop drinking completely and knew that the only way I would be able to do so is through the practice of the art communities I was a part of.

Recently in 2022, I started to truly feel fully comfortable going back into bars again, however, only in groups. But every time I went, I would have this overwhelming feeling of FOMO (the fear of missing out), that I would drink again, and wondered if there was a place/bar for people like me. Or are there any in Los Angeles at all? Because…I wanted to have fun and drink too but just without the alcohol. I also just wanted to enjoy the bar space and engage without feeling both tempted and othered. Additionally, I wanted a sober bar that I could go to where I, a Trans-Non-binary POC would feel safe. Thus, I started to research. Yes, there were bars with sober options, but I would still be around alcohol. There were even exclusive drink spaces with unique drink menus that served all communities however, again nothing all-sober and inclusive enough whereas I felt like I could join in. As someone with 15 years in customer service, I felt as though this was a huge disservice to a huge community of people who are like me and to people that have alternative lifestyles. So after my research, I started talking about creating a space myself with the mindset of providing back to the communities that helped me through my tough times without even knowing it. I also wanted a space that would provide for those demographics that have the hardest time seeking help and give them resources to better their lives in a safe space. Thus, after months of research and workshopping “The Virgin Bar & Tea Lounge” was born which would be the first Black Trans-Non Binary-owned, All-Sober Bar and Tea lounge. This year will be my 5th year completely Sober. Help me build something that has the chance to help so others... (More Information Below)

What is “The Virgin Bar & Tea Lounge” aka “The Virgin”?

The Virgin Bar & Tea Lounge LLC aka “The Virgin” for short, will be a Tea Lounge and small event space during the day; serving specialty natural tea mixtures, with a plan to use locally sourced organic fruits, garden teas, plants, and herbs. By night The Virgin will be an open-to-all, all-Sober (Non-Alcoholic) bar: meaning, we will serve drinks that imitate alcohol-based beverages without any liquor and be a dance and event space as well. “The Virgin Bar and Tea Lounge LLC” under the direction of “The Virgin Sober Drinks and Lounge”, a 501c3 Non-profit Corporation, also plans to partner with community leaders, and local and small businesses to provide free additional monthly events, including but not limited to:

1. Dance ciphers, battles, and seminars

2. Non-Alcoholic Drink Mixtures/Bartending Classes.

3. LGBTQAIGNC+:

a. Screenwriting and filmmaking workshops

b. Short film festivals and seminars (led by Chessa Mehlman)

c. Addiction awareness and recovery resource fairs, and job training services for recently incarcerated adults.

d. Drag Make-up Masterclasses

e. Group Therapy Sessions

4. Open Mic Nights

5. Homeless water drive

Additionally, The Virgin plans to be fully handicap accessible and will be dedicated to having spaces catered for any ability.

Our Mission:

The Mission of The Virgin Bar and Tea Lounge is to provide a safe space for people of all kinds, races, abilities, disabilities, gender, sex, and bodies and provide locally sourced goods and services for them that can contribute to their restorative quantities and help the overall quality of its patron’s health and well-being. The Virgin plans to be a bridge for those that feel overlooked, and are discriminated against the most, and get this niche-based demographic integrated back into its community by providing them with opportunities to better themselves and build new relationships.

Our Targeted Demographic:

1. LGBTQAIGNC+ POC Identifying individuals.

2. LGBTQAIGNC individuals.

3. Artists of all kinds.

4. Those that have an allergy to Alcohol.

5. Pregnant Individuals.

6. Health-conscious individuals.

7. Recovering Alcoholics.

8. Recently incarcerated (for programming and reintegration).

9. And everyone/anyone interested in being a part of the All-Sober bar and tea lounge from the community.

Our Initial Support Goal: 100k

The Virgin plans to use this small goal as minor capital that will go right back into the community, teach them about our product and services, and help us gain start-up capital through in-person fundraising. (See Below for further details)

What our Goal will initially support:

1. A Pop-Up Event(s) and fundraiser – 50% (which includes):

a. Labor fees

b. Supply fees

c. Venue Fees

d. Insurance & Contingency Fees

2. Additional Small Start-up support – 50% (which includes):

a. Additional Labor fees

b. Additional Supply fees

c. Office Space Fees

d. Insurance Fees & Miscellaneous fees

(All Additional Support will allow us to continue fundraising and make this business dream a reality)

Help us make this a possibility by supporting now and see you at our Pop-up event (more details coming soon)

Special thanks to (My team):

Lola Tan - Business consultant

Chessa Mehlman

Niketa Reed - Business Producer

And to everyone who encouraged this to happen!