Maximize your time!
Since the pandemic, we know that more of us are working from home now; while our home offices may be cozy with all of Ikea’s favorite decorative trappings, there’s nothing like finding a space that boosts our productivity. For those who prefer a nice coffee shop over their bedroom, let’s focus on spending less on dragon fruit refreshers and more on local Black-owned establishments! To help you out, here is a list of Black-owned coffee shops to support the next time you work remotely, courtesy of Delish:
Sip and Savor | Chicago, Illinois
If you’re in the Chi or plan to visit soon, head to Sip and Savor to get your selection of fair-trade coffees, lattes, frappes, or blended specialty drinks and teas. There are four locations on the South Side in Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Rosenwald and South Loop. They also have delicious food options for when you get hungry.
South LA Cafe | Los Angeles, California
This Black family-owned coffee shop has two locations in South L.A., Browning Blvd and MLK Jr. Blvd. They offer volunteer opportunities if you’re interested in learning the business. However, if you’re looking to use the space to work remotely, they have a ton of pastries, soups, sandwiches, and reportedly the best avocado toast in town.
Black Swan Espresso | Newark, New Jersey
Offering an array of premium espressos and specialty teas, this spot is your go-to for a caffeine-fueled day of working. If you’ve ever been to Newark, you know it's a beautiful community of folks rich in love and you’re sure to meet some of them over a 96-ounce “Joe to Go” if you stop by Black Swan.
Urban Grind | Atlanta, Georgia
A gem in Atlanta, this shop was designed for you to work and connect. There are a plethora of regular community events to choose from, and you can order your coffee via DoorDash or Grubhub to make sure it's ready when you get there. Work during the day then go back in the evening for one of their poetry open mics.
Brooklyn Perk | Brooklyn, New York
A staple in the Brooklyn community, if you want to feel like a true New Yorker then stop by Brooklyn Perk. It’s a trendy coffee shop with big flavors and an even better community! You can get an almond milk banana latte with a lemon matcha loaf and we just tryna see what that be like. If you’re looking for new flavors and great signature drinks, this is your go-to for a long day of work.
Backatown Coffee | New Orleans, Louisiana
A jazz-infused theme is the setting for this quaint NOLA cafe. Coffee with an authentic New Orleans experience, what more can you ask for? Great for working for the day, and don’t forget to try the Crawfish Quiche with your cup of joe!
Creative Grounds | Washington, DC
It’s art, it's coffee, it’s D.C., get into it! This cute shop in D.C. is the perfect place for a work-from-home day. There are regular community workshops, live music, and of course, coffee! From espresso and chai tea to lavender honey iced lattes, Creative Grounds really does have it all covered. Don’t be afraid to meet new people while you’re there.
Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Founded by author Marc Lamont Hill, Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books was launched in 2017 as a way to make books more accessible to underserved communities. In addition to their robust library, there is also an amazing coffee selection, apparel, regular programming, and a host of community folks that you can regularly interact with. They’re open 7 days a week and also have regular story time for the children.
Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen | Los Angeles, California
As Because Of Them We Can previously reported, “The Find Your Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood is a collaboration between media mogul Issa Rae and Inglewood entrepreneurs, Ajay Relan, and Yonnie Hagos. The coffee shop boasts multiple locations and promotes itself as a “place for creators of all walks … driven by [its] mission to bring quality ingredients & good vibes to the communities [they] serve in an environment conducive to creativity, community & connection.”
“I’ve always wanted a coffee shop in my neighborhood. Coffee shops facilitate productivity in so many ways, they facilitate collaboration. I personally have done all of my writing in coffee shops. So it always disappointed me that there weren’t any that were Black-owned, that were even people of color-owned in my neighborhood,” Rae said via statement.
A.T. Oasis Coffee & Tea Shop | Phoenix, Arizona
This local coffee shop in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix, Arizona serves imported coffee and tea drinks straight from Ethiopia with an array of quick eats. If you want coffee and a scone or sambusa, this is your spot. Enjoy a cup while you finish up those last-minute emails.
Deadstock Coffee | Portland, Oregon
We’re absolutely obsessed with this sneaker-themed coffee shop. It’s a haven for hypebeasts! They’re offering “snob-free” coffee with dope merch and a very cool community. Get your latte with a sneaker stencil, pick up new coffee bean roasts, or sign up for their subscription service. May not be the best place to take a meeting, but you’ll be able to finish up a project brief or two.
Sankofa Video Books & Cafe | Washington, DC
The OG of DC coffee cafe staples, Sankofa is the place to go if you want to work and be educated. It's been a cultural center since the late 90s and in addition to its excellent coffee and superb food menu, there’s a host of programming, books, and videos about the African diaspora and people of African descent.
Cafe con Libros | Brooklyn, New York
This Afro-Latinx-owned feminist indie bookstore is offering much much more than coffee. There is a beautiful library full of amazing reads and of course, pick up your essential cup of coffee while you’re at it. They also offer curbside pickup if you make your order online.
We hope this helps!
Black-owned coffee shops to support the next time you work from home. Photo Courtesy of @unclebobbies/Instagram