Black Coffee Northwest is a Black-owned coffee restaurant business serving the greater King County area while supporting local youth and young adults with employment and training opportunities, after-school enrichment activities, and mental health support.
Black Coffee Northwest hosts a 8-week internship program for youth and young adults ages 10 to 22 to participate in weekly skills-training classes, on-site barista training, and job internships with local businesses. Participants have the option to serve as a barista or social justice intern. The core program mission is to support and encourage youth and young adults during their internship to build confidence and prepare them for the workplace. In addition to our core business services, Black Coffee Northwest (BCNW) serves as a community hub for local Black small business owners, community leaders and activists, and educators to come together, which is central to the BCNW mission and values.
BCNW hosts a Black business market on-site weekly and has deep conversations on our Grounded Conversations podcast. BCNW continues to provide and expand on these services and partnerships even while facing complexities and financial challenges. We've been in business since 2020 and our mission is to be a community HUB and serve great coffee.
Each cup of coffee is served with love, joy, community care, healing, and peace. The year 2020 presented a unique opportunity for community change in several ways and we chose to provide space for the next generation of leaders. In times of crisis, communities often come together to support one another. We are doing this one cup of coffee at a time. SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAFE 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133 NORTH SEATTLE COLLEGE CAFE 9600 College Way N, Seattle, WA 98103
CENTRAL DISTRICT LOCATION 2300 Jackson Street Seattle Wa 98144
In 2023, our business will be opening a new location in the Central District of Seattle. The Central District of Seattle has a rich history shaped by diverse communities and significant social and cultural transformations. This area was once a Black community however gentrification has displaced many Black families and businesses. During the mid-20th century, the Central District emerged as the cultural and economic heart of Seattle's African American community. The neighborhood flourished with black-owned businesses, churches, community organizations, and a vibrant arts scene. Prominent figures like musician Quincy Jones, activist and writer Maya Angelou, and athlete Jimi Hendrix had connections to the Central District.
In recent decades, the Central District has experienced significant demographic shifts and gentrification. Rising property values, development projects, and the influx of wealthier residents have displaced many long-time African American residents. This has led to concerns about cultural erasure, the loss of community institutions, and the ongoing struggle for affordable housing.
We will be proudly opening a new coffee shop in this area. Black Coffee Northwest plans to continue the location’s legacy in the Central District, a historically Black neighborhood that has also long felt the effects of gentrification. Media Links: