Donate to Word Up Cafe to Invest In Community

We are looking forward to you helping us to meet our $10,000 goal.

Our mission is to uplift the community. Your contributions are greatly appreciated It has been a pleasure serving our community. Thank You for taking the time to hear our story.

We are proud that we have made it to the six-year mark and are trying to keep our doors open and continue serving our community. Word Up Cafe needs your help to overcome obstacles caused by the Pandemic

Unfortunately, we have all experienced the devastating effects of the Pandemic. It has been very difficult financially particularly since I recently retired as a teacher as a result I have far less income to inject into the business as needed.

We have the heart but we need your support. Please, do what you can. Thanking you in advance. We need to pay salaries, our lease and re-hire the people we had to let go. As well as have events that enhance the community, book clubs, storytelling, open mics, artistic expression, health, wealth and educational workshops and more.

 You may say awe it’s just a café, no big deal. However, 8 year

old Joel’s face lights up with a smile from ear to ear when he can come in and write his name down on the open mic list and confidently do his dance for all to applaud. Jayden and his mommy come in after school to play games, laugh and eat cookies together. Frankie and Lisa learn facts about sickle Cell. 17 year old

Jisselle says “a safe space where fear and hate disappear”, Mohammad, 17 says, the cafe keeps kids off the street, 17 year old Monique says Word Up Café brings out the expressiveness in people, Tiffany, 17 says Word Up Café is a great place to get delicious food and great entertainment. With your help, we can continue to serve the community. Thank You

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I, Sharron J Kennedy initiated the Phillis Wheatly Poetry & Jazz Cafe in PS 328 located in East New York Brooklyn, it operated for

more than ten years in the school.

As the school librarian, I would convert the library into a Cafe. I involved the students by utilizing them as managers, accountants, waiters, waitresses, entertainers, multimedia presenters etc.

 The Café was a way to teach math memorably, expose students to the idea of entrepreneurship and more importantly provide an outlet for students to express themselves. I like to say vent verbally instead of violently. As a result of the café I was able to purchase instruments for the students thus producing The PW Jazz Band Under the direction of the late Harry Constant may he Rest In Peace. I fondly remember that he would take the students to Downtown Brooklyn Borough Hall to play. What a joy!

The Café was well received by the students, parents, staff and community at large. We worked together to make it a success.

Unfortunately, the library position at the school was excessed and I became an ATR (Absent Teacher Reserve). Fortunately, I always remembered the positive impact the café had on the youth, so it inspired me to open a similar cafe in the East New York Community. In short Word, Up Café strives to help uplift the community through the positive use of our words, actions, skills and talent. It is my vision to open Word Up Cafes throughout the diaspora for the people by the people.

Word Up Café started as a popup Café in 2012, then an incubator space on New Lots Ave created in a shipping container in 2015.

In 2016 we were blessed to open our brick-and-mortar location at 652 Pennsylvania Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11207.