People Before Profit. That has been the heartbeat of 25th Street for 30 years.
Why the Lights Are Dim: For nearly two decades on 25th Street—and more than 30 years of community service overall—Terra Cafe has lived by a simple ethic: people come first. That belief carried us through moments when walking away would have been easier.
When COVID-19 shut the world down, we did not close our doors. While many stayed home, Terra Cafe stayed open—preparing and distributing thousands of healthy meals every week for youth, elders, and families across Baltimore. We showed up when the city was quiet, and the need was loud. We fed people. We held space. We were present.
And yet, when the crisis passed, the support did not come.
Despite decades of documented service, national and international collaborations, and partnerships with corporate, community, and government-adjacent organizations, Terra Cafe was shut out—cut off from meaningful assistance from the City of Baltimore, the State of Maryland, and ultimately from BGE. Like many micro-businesses rooted in care rather than capital, we were overlooked as relief flowed elsewhere.
Our revenue fell by 50 to 70 percent. We absorbed the loss so our community wouldn’t have to. Larger corporations were stabilized. Long-standing community institutions like ours were left to survive on faith, grit, and unpaid sacrifice.
The lights are dim, not because the mission failed—but because we carried the weight alone.
This story did not begin here. Before there was a café, there were roots—Orangeburg, South Carolina—where Terence Dickson learned the value of a shared meal and the responsibility of looking out for your own. That Southern ethic found a home in Baltimore, shaping Terra Cafe into a place that handled its own business while always tending to everyone else’s.
Today, we are working to raise $30,000 to resolve outstanding BGE balances and restore power to our home at 25th and St. Paul. Not to rebuild a brand—but to keep a legacy alive.
The lights may be dim, but the purpose has never flickered.
Our Story: Before there was a cafe, there were the roots. Our journey began in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where the value of a meal and the importance of looking out for your own were first learned. For 18 years at the corner of E. 25th St. and St. Paul, we’ve brought that Southern spirit to Baltimore, creating a business committed to the community by handling our own business. But like so many, we didn't get the grants to walk out of COVID with. Our revenue was down 50% to 70%, and while larger corporations were bailed out, so many community businesses were left without the needed support. We are now working to raise $30,000 to settle outstanding BGE bills and restore power to our home on 25th and St. Paul.
It Starts with the Food: You know us for the flavors that bring people together. We’ve spent nearly two decades proving that soul food can be healthy, inclusive, and life-giving.
- The Iconic Fish Sub: It’s more than a sandwich; it’s a Baltimore landmark.
- Commitment to Health: For 19 years, we have been a pork-free establishment, leading the way with Vegan and healthy options because we believe our community deserves food that heals.
A Meeting Place for the Culture and the Community: Terra Cafe is a sanctuary for the spirit of Baltimore.
- The Creative Pulse: We are a home for artists, musicians, and visual creators to find their voice.
- The Political Table: It’s a space where politicians and the people come to look each other in the eye. It’s where neighbors share what they truly need and what they expect from their leaders.
- Life’s Milestones: From weddings to standing together as we sent loved ones home to the ancestors, Terra Cafe has been the table where Baltimore sits.
A Legacy of Service and Advocacy: Because we put people first, the world took notice. Our commitment to community has garnered national and international attention from NBC, PBS, and NPR.
- National Voice: Our ethics of community and micro-business have been so impactful that we have been quoted by two U.S. Presidents. We were the first business nationally to go on record to share why the PPP program would not work for micro-businesses.
- City Leadership: We served on the Mayor’s Office Transition Board for Micro-Business and Community Development, championing accountability and responsibility. Over 30 years, we have never forgotten our mission or changed our model. We have remained the same constant force for Baltimore since day one.
- Owning the Bricks: We believe our community must own the bricks. We advocate for owning the buildings we occupy so we aren't "sharecropping" our dreams.
- Neighbors Without Walls: For 19 years, we have provided a meal, a kind word, and a community touch. You can walk into Terra Cafe anytime and ask for a 'Neighbors Without Walls' and we will gladly share with you.
How You Can Help Us Power Up:
1. Donate: Whether it is $5 or $500, every contribution keeps this energy alive. We thank you for standing with us.
2. Order: While the cafe is dark, you can still support us by ordering our legendary fish subs through Uber Eats.
3. Share: Help us tell the world that this Baltimore institution isn't going anywhere.
We have always been here for the community. Now, we ask the world to stand with us.
Power to the Purpose. People Before Profit. We stand on business.
Terence Dickson & The Terra Cafe Team
Organizer
