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The centerpiece mural of the newly opened BlaCk Coffee Lounge is colorful, featuring a large tree, coffee beans and music notes, as well as a street light with two intersecting street signs labeled culture and community. The lounge itself strives to be that intersection, a place where people of all communities can congregate to celebrate black culture while enjoying great coffee.
My travels have revealed that coffee shops are some of the most important places in every community, says Means Cameron, a Cincinnati native, avid coffee drinker and the owner of both BlaCk Coffee and the BlaCk OWned clothing brand/boutique, housed in the storefront next door. Coffee shops should provide energy and support to the communities that they are in. I think we have great coffee in Cincinnati, but I didnt feel the coffee shops were really connecting with specifically non-white communities. We expect people to visit BlaCk Coffee for what it represents and brings to the community and while theyre here theyll discover that the coffee is amazing, too.
BlaCk Coffees coffee is supplied by La Terza and their house Wakanda blend is a mix of Ethiopian, Rwandan and Brazilian beans. All of the food served at BlaCk Coffee come from black-female-owned businesses in Cincinnati; pastries are provided by Sweet Petit Desserts, the cakes are from Shanas Sweet Treats and sandwiches are made by personal chef Chanel Jordan of Chanels Upscale Homestyle Cooking.
The coffee shop held its soft opening on July 19 and was officially open for business July 27. Cameron says they had over 1,000 customers in the first week and expect more business as word of mouth travels.
I believe the community fell in love with the space before we ever opened our doors, Cameron says. Were changing the downtown community and the way people do coffee in Cincinnati and people love that.
BlaCk Coffee Lounge is located at 824 Elm St., Downtown Elizabeth Davis“My travels have revealed that coffee shops are some of the most important places in every community,” says Means Cameron, a Cincinnati native, avid coffee drinker and the owner of both BlaCk Coffee and the BlaCk OWned clothing brand/boutique, housed in the storefront next door. Elizabeth DavisThe centerpiece mural at BlaCk Coffee is colorful, featuring a large tree, coffee beans and music notes, as well as a street light with two intersecting street signs labeled “culture” and “community.” The lounge itself strives to be that intersection, a place where people of all communities can congregate to celebrate black culture while enjoying great coffee. Elizabeth DavisBlaCk Coffee’s coffee is supplied by La Terza and their house “Wakanda” blend is a mix of Ethiopian, Rwandan and Brazilian beans. Elizabeth DavisAll of the food served at BlaCk Coffee come from black-female-owned businesses in Cincinnati. Elizabeth Davis“I created BlaCk OWned to inspire a generation to be conscious of their community through fashion,” says owner Means Cameron. “I created BlaCk Coffee to push the culture and give the community a space to build on their inspirations.” Elizabeth DavisIn addition to coffee and lattes, the menu showcases a variety of teas, juices, sandwiches, pastries and baked goods. Elizabeth DavisIf you like Hip Hop and R&B, the playlist at BlaCk Coffee won’t disappoint. Elizabeth DavisStylized portraits of Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls, Cardi B and Beyoncé adorn the walls and a variety of plants get a healthy dose of sunlight from the row of floor-to-ceiling windows facing the street. Elizabeth DavisPastries are provided by Sweet Petit Desserts, the cakes are from Shana’s Sweet Treats and sandwiches are made by personal chef Chanel Jordan of Chanel’s Upscale Homestyle Cooking Elizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisElizabeth DavisBlaCk Coffee Lounge
824 Elm St., Downtown
This coffee shop is from the owners of BlaCk OWned. Their popular house “Wakanda” blend is a mix of Ethiopian, Rwandan and Brazilian beans, and you can even buy a bag of it to brew at home (U.S. vice president Kamala Harris enjoyed the Wakanda blend during a 2021 visit). They also offer bag and brewed teas, cold-pressed juices and other coffee drinks like espresso, cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos, which can all be made with non-dairy milk alternatives. If you’re hungry, their small menu features sandwiches and pastries. Elizabeth Davis
