
Help Bring B-Boys Coffee to Fulton Hill, RVA!
Donation protected
Hello! And thank you for reading this.
Who am I?
My name is Claude. I am a born and raised New Yorker who came to Virginia to attend Virginia State University, and I have since married and settled with my family in the Fulton Hill neighborhood, RVA. Since moving here I have started the RVA Queers Parents Group on Fb and joined alongside names like Side by Side & Trans Jam RVA to foster, cater to and bring together my community. I even had a little library going off the side of my gate for a little! haha it was really amazing to have my neighbors helping out with it and using it- that made me feel proud..
But enough about me. what am I begging for right? lol.
Up until this point, B-Boys has been many things: an idea, a dream, a mobile coffee cart, a popup, an unfortunate tragic setback, and now finally, it's bordering on reality.
What Is B-Boys?
At B-Boys, we want to be your community coffee shop. Fulton Hill is a community rich in Black history and wealth. With that in mind, we want to uplift the neighborhood and support it, not overwrite and erase it.
I dream to establish a welcoming, community-centered coffee shop that serves as a safe, inclusive space for the neighborhood while actively supporting and collaborating with fellow Black-owned and local businesses. Especially in these unprecedented times where things around us are changing every day, there is no better time to come together and be there for each other. This is a huge part of why I want to also ask the community for help.
Our shop will provide a much-needed gathering place for community members to connect, work, relax, and attend events. This includes:
- Open Seating for casual gatherings and solo work.
- Community Boards highlighting local events, resources, and opportunities.
- Event Nights such as open mics, artist showcases, or book readings featuring local talent. Things for children, etc.
- Create Job Opportunities for residents, including potential youth internships or barista training. Sourcing construction as locally as possible.
- Draw Foot Traffic to the area, benefiting nearby businesses and increasing local commerce.
- Safe and Inclusive Environment: Our shop will be a safe, welcoming space for all patrons, especially for Black and BIPOC individuals. We aim to cultivate an environment that encourages diverse perspectives, creativity, and inclusivity.
Our shop will showcase products from Black entrepreneurs, offering items like handcrafted goods, art, and specialty items. We plan to:
- Host Pop-Ups with rotating vendors to give them a platform.
- Collaborate on Events to bring in new clientele and promote community brands.
Now that we've secured a location, there is so much work to be done. How does your donation help?
Not only am I using my own savings to fund this project, but I am also working diligently to take advantage of all programs and things that help with finances. There's building supplies, equipment and a ton of other materials needed- while I also support my family of 4 by working for local RVA businesses we love alongside my partner.
I ask in the spirit of community, for support in my dream so I can continue to put my love in support right back into our city. This is my love language to richmond.
Together, we are revolutionizing the concept of a coffee shop, infusing it with the soul and vibrancy of the birth of hip hop, urban culture, and the iconic era of 1970s New York City. B-Boys is more than just a place to grab a quick cup of coffee; it is an experience that encapsulates the resilience of the human spirit, my love for my hometown NYC, and the power of dreams. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Organizer and beneficiary
Claude Monae
Organizer
Capitol View, VA
Michael Regli
Beneficiary