Kusanya Cafe

The Kusanya Cafe is a non-profit community cafe run by and for the greater Englewood community (our board of directors is composed of Englewood residents). We seek to provide a gathering place for neighbors, host a diverse array of resident-led community events, and provide a place for local artists and entrepreneurs to collaborate and showcase their work. The cafe provides quality food options for our neighbors who have limited choices in our community. 

  The cafe hires locally, creating opportunity for people who are unemployed or underemployed and provides extensive training and mentorship, and supports our apprentices (program participants) in moving into career path of their choice. We also roast coffee with the hopes of providing more jobs and industry to our community. 

There are few public gathering spaces in the Englewood community (especially ones run but the residents of the community). Many of our residents are isolated within their blocks, or in the worst cases within their homes. This isolation is a disempowering aspect for many residents who would love to contribute or participate in the revitalization of their community. Kusanya sees the residents themselves as the solution to many of the problems that we face as a community and believes that bringing people together through inspiring events will spark collaboration while combatting this isolation that leads to indifference. 

The primary population we serve is the Greater Englewood community. Our cafe attracts about 25,000 visits from patrons (neighbors) annually, representing about 5,000 individual visitors. Our apprenticeship program typically takes on about 15 apprentices per year in both part-time and full-time positions.

Mission:The Kusanya Cafe exists to be a place of empowerment and encouragement to Englewood residents through an accessible, inspiring gathering place and apprenticeship program.