Support Flava Cafe!
Donation protected
REAL CHANGE CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE, EVEN A CAFE . . .
BUT FIRST, WE NEED A LOCATION!
Hey! I'm Shaunie Grigsby, Founder of Flava Cafe, youth development practitioner, mentor, poet, student and activist who knows firsthand the transformative impact of community.
When I was 16, I began to envision who I wanted to be, and how I could show up for my self and community. In spite of low expectations, racist systems and stereotypes I am working to create the spaces I want to see, where Black, Indigenous and people of color are seen, heard, valued and appreciated. I am advancing this mission through Flava Cafe, a Minnesota General Benefit Corporation and community coffee shop that provides quality service, locally sourced coffee, food, products, and holistic youth employment opportunities.
Mission: To build community and radical imagination through coffee and service that eliminates disparities for Black girls and gender expansive youth one latte at a time.
Vision: To cultivate a cafe culture that curates a safe space for imagination, authentic identity, and community building.
The concept for Flava Cafe is inspired by my love of the 90's era aesthetic, such as fashion, hairstyles, music, art, and media. I am also influenced by black culture across the diaspora. Regardless of location, language, or circumstance, Black folks add flavor to everything we do from food to scholarship and governance. With a passion for coffee, social justice, youth development, and relationship building a coffee shop was the best space to foster and expand my dreams while investing in others. At Flava Cafe, we are adding flavor to the cafe and coffee market through our branding, products, and commitment to dreaming radically.
Currently, less than 3% of coffee shops in Minnesota are Black/ African American-owned and Black-women are disproportionately underrepresented within that figure at less than .5%. Flava Cafe is here to change the status quo and to ensure that we are honoring the history our beloved community and its youth.
Flava Café is more than a coffee shop or job opportunity - every product sold, and service offered develops deeper ties to the local community, adds economic value, creates space for joy, increases skills, and builds a strong sense of identity for youth and community.
With the help and encouragement of mentors in the industry and programs, such as Co.Starters, FINNOVATION Fellowship, NDC Plan It, etc. I've established a solid business plan that centers community, equity and sustainability. Your generous contributions will fund the buildout needs for Flava Cafe:
- Contractors (plumbing and electrical work)
- Equipment Needs
- Interior Needs (furniture & fixtures)
- Allow me to shift into operating Flava Cafe full-time
Campaign Rewards:
Contribution Level $1-$499
-Receive 10% off your first in-store purchase
Contribution Level $500 - $999
-Book us free of charge for a pop-up coffee bar (max. 200 people)
Contribution Level $1,000+
-Receive unlimited coffee for one year at Flava Cafe
I am beyond grateful for the enthusiasm and support Flava Cafe has received as well as the success of the first crowdfunding campaign where we raised $13,206. I am excited to know that folks see this need and want to fill gap in Minnesota of a diverse and more inclusive coffee landscape. Thank you for helping making Flava Cafe a reality!
BUT FIRST, WE NEED A LOCATION!
Hey! I'm Shaunie Grigsby, Founder of Flava Cafe, youth development practitioner, mentor, poet, student and activist who knows firsthand the transformative impact of community.
When I was 16, I began to envision who I wanted to be, and how I could show up for my self and community. In spite of low expectations, racist systems and stereotypes I am working to create the spaces I want to see, where Black, Indigenous and people of color are seen, heard, valued and appreciated. I am advancing this mission through Flava Cafe, a Minnesota General Benefit Corporation and community coffee shop that provides quality service, locally sourced coffee, food, products, and holistic youth employment opportunities.
Mission: To build community and radical imagination through coffee and service that eliminates disparities for Black girls and gender expansive youth one latte at a time.
Vision: To cultivate a cafe culture that curates a safe space for imagination, authentic identity, and community building.
The concept for Flava Cafe is inspired by my love of the 90's era aesthetic, such as fashion, hairstyles, music, art, and media. I am also influenced by black culture across the diaspora. Regardless of location, language, or circumstance, Black folks add flavor to everything we do from food to scholarship and governance. With a passion for coffee, social justice, youth development, and relationship building a coffee shop was the best space to foster and expand my dreams while investing in others. At Flava Cafe, we are adding flavor to the cafe and coffee market through our branding, products, and commitment to dreaming radically.
Currently, less than 3% of coffee shops in Minnesota are Black/ African American-owned and Black-women are disproportionately underrepresented within that figure at less than .5%. Flava Cafe is here to change the status quo and to ensure that we are honoring the history our beloved community and its youth.
Flava Café is more than a coffee shop or job opportunity - every product sold, and service offered develops deeper ties to the local community, adds economic value, creates space for joy, increases skills, and builds a strong sense of identity for youth and community.
With the help and encouragement of mentors in the industry and programs, such as Co.Starters, FINNOVATION Fellowship, NDC Plan It, etc. I've established a solid business plan that centers community, equity and sustainability. Your generous contributions will fund the buildout needs for Flava Cafe:
- Contractors (plumbing and electrical work)
- Equipment Needs
- Interior Needs (furniture & fixtures)
- Allow me to shift into operating Flava Cafe full-time
Campaign Rewards:
Contribution Level $1-$499
-Receive 10% off your first in-store purchase
Contribution Level $500 - $999
-Book us free of charge for a pop-up coffee bar (max. 200 people)
Contribution Level $1,000+
-Receive unlimited coffee for one year at Flava Cafe
I am beyond grateful for the enthusiasm and support Flava Cafe has received as well as the success of the first crowdfunding campaign where we raised $13,206. I am excited to know that folks see this need and want to fill gap in Minnesota of a diverse and more inclusive coffee landscape. Thank you for helping making Flava Cafe a reality!
Organizer
Shaunie Grigsby
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
