Julie Morris

My journey with mahjong began not in a quiet hall, but on a sunny beach. In 2012, I learned to play American mahjong at my auntie’s house in the Bahamas, with my toes in the sand and a piña colada in my hand and the glorious “clack-clack-clack” of tiles mixing with the sound of the ocean. It was more than just a game; it was laughter, connection, and a cherished memory in the making. That feeling of warmth and community endured through the years, becoming the foundation upon which I built this club. Now, as a parent in my mid-40s here in Ann Arbor, my life looks a little different. Where the piña coladas are (sadly) less frequent and my toes are more likely to be in snow boots than sand. My professional career has been built in the analytical and fast-paced worlds of science, healthcare, and business. While these fields are rewarding, I’ve increasingly felt the pull to bring back something essential that we’re starting to lose: genuine, in-person social connection.