from Mitti Hicks
22 August 2024
This is the second property Norland and Dr. Amina James have purchased in the South.
Norland and Dr. Amina James, the black couple who made history by purchasing the Quality Inn in northeast Memphis, have just secured another property in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
As Black company As previously reported, the pair purchased the 70-room Memphis property in 2022 for $3.85 million with the help of a group of first-time African-American hotel investors. They then raised $2.8 million to purchase Wyndham Lake Charles, a 120-room full-service hotel.
According to Development Wyndham, less than two percent of hotel owners nationwide identify as black.
While the hotel is currently accepting reservations, renovations are underway to transform the property into an upscale Wyndham resort with a restaurant, bar and meeting space by 2025.
“We are creating a space that is suitable for everyone,” says Dr. Amina. “It will be the perfect accommodation for vacations, family reunions and business trips alike.”
Black Business reports that the hotel project is majority-backed by black investors and managed by the black management company Synergy Hospitality Group.
Inside the hotel, guests will immediately notice what the owners describe as “affordable luxury.” The hotel features a two-story lobby with charming black and white tiled floors, abundant natural light, and the hotel’s newly branded restaurant, Renaissance Bar & Grill, which offers Southern comfort food with a Creole flair.
Located three hours from Louisiana’s bustling city of New Orleans, Lake Charles is considered the state’s playground with its beautiful blend of Cajun, Creole and Native American influences.
There’s no shortage of fun in Lake Charles. The city hosts about 70 festivals annually, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
“Lake Charles is a great place to visit with family and friends,” Norland said in a statement. “From the casinos to sports and festivals, there is so much to do. It’s ideal for a long weekend or a quiet getaway.”
