609: Lessons On Running a True Community Space  w/ Blew Kind of D'griot Cafe | Philadelphia, PA

609: Lessons On Running a True Community Space w/ Blew Kind of D'griot Cafe | Philadelphia, PA

Author: Chris Deferio June 9, 2026 Duration: 51:14

More than just a 3rd space, some cafes are platforms for ideas, catalysts for change, and a space specifically organized and designed to grow and nurture their communities. 

Led by people with deep convictions and a vivid vision for what can be, these spaces transform and help support the community beyond the coffee. 

Today we get to catch up with someone who has spend decades pouring into her community and has learned a lot of very valuable lessons to help you do the same. 

 Inspired by her afro-indigenous lineage, Blew kind creates transformational experiences where folks can connect deeper within themselves and each other toward their highest self. She offers moments of pause, conversation, and discovery where we can experience daily magic, while being open to heal individually and collectively. Her play involves poetry, crafting, dance, listening to stories, and community space making.

Blew kind has developed multiple cultural community organizations in Philadelphia including Franny Lou's Porch cafe, Koku-Roko Learning Co-operative, d'griot café & gallery, and rad.Love; a non-profit fiscally sponsored by the Painted Bride Arts Center to support community programming.

Grateful to be involved in the good work, Blew also supports other black, brown, and community leaders on their journey through public speaking and coaching.

We discuss:

  • Journey from Franny Lou's Porch to D'griot
  • The Meaning of D'griot and Its Cultural Roots
  • Pandemic Impact and Business Growth
  • Overcoming Resistance and Building Resilience
  • Wealth, Value, and Community Support
  • Community Heart and Giving Back
  • Balancing Personal Fulfillment and Community Service
  • The Value of Humility and Collective Effort
  • Community Collaboration and Unexpected Opportunities

 

KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS

1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING!

If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email 

chris@keystothshop.com

of book a free call now: 

https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 

 

Related episodes: 


Running a coffee shop is about so much more than pulling great shots. It's a complex dance of craft, culture, and commerce that demands a unique kind of leadership. That's the space where Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders lives. Hosted by Chris Deferio, this podcast digs into the real, often unspoken challenges faced by owners, managers, and aspiring leaders in the specialty coffee world. Each conversation moves beyond abstract theory to deliver concrete, usable strategies you can apply directly to your operation. You'll hear from a diverse range of voices, including seasoned coffee professionals and insightful experts from other fields, all focused on the practicalities of building a thriving business. Episodes tackle the full spectrum of running a shop, from daily systems and financial health to fostering a positive team environment and developing your own skills as a leader. The aim is to provide a genuine resource for growth, whether you're looking to refine your barista program, improve your shop's profitability, or scale your vision thoughtfully. Tune in for honest discussions that equip you with more than just inspiration-they offer the tangible keys to building a better, more sustainable coffee business. This podcast understands that your passion is for coffee, but your success depends on mastering the craft of leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders
Podcast Episodes
625: 5 Ways To Make Your Coffee Taste Better [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:03
The quality of your coffee is one of the main reasons people choose your cafe vs another. It is the baseline expectation customers have for a specialty coffee shop and today, in spite of our abundant resources and access…
SHIFT BREAK! Don't Give Your Staff Invisible Targets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:39
If we want our staff to succeed, we have to give them clear target to aim for. Unfortunately shocking number of cafes have what I would describe as invisible targets that only appear once the arrow is released. No wonder…
What are the Key Holder Coaching Groups? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:32
For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community. The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of communit…
622: Lifting Up Coffee Farmers w/ Ben Carlson of Long Miles Coffee! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:02
In coffee we can often question the impact of our efforts. Over time though, small consistent steps in the right direction can not only carry you over many miles, it can transform you and those for whom you are working.…
SHIFT BREAK! What It Means To Have Integrity In Our Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:33
Integrity is hard to identify unless you are actively looking for and working on it. But what is "it"? Well, in some ways it is consistency, but that is not enough. Integrity is more than production of the same thing the…