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
SHIFT BREAK! Why You Will Always Be A Small Coffee Shop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:15
Our image of who we are as a business is not necessarily the same as that of our customer. We see all the inside gears and pulleys that hide beneath the surface. We see the scope and organizational diagram of the cafe, t…
SHIFT BREAK! The Mindset of Working Clean [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:13
Having a clean cafe and a clean bar is not just a surface level pursuit. The mindset it takes to keep things clean while busy is a discipline that have far reaching benefits extending to the quality of our products, dept…
SHIFT BREAK! "What's Next in Coffee" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:40
The more we ask this question the more we tend to steal time and consideration away from what we have of value in the present. The coffee shop and the larger industry for that matter, are obsessed with not being left beh…
601: Why Your Cafe Staff Meeting Might Be Doomed To Fail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:14
Meetings can be a very useful part of running a cafe. The way we tend to use them though has become a real problem. In fact, rather than helping, even the most well intentioned of meetings, might actually hurt your busin…
600: Founder Friday w/ Sammy Piccolo of Prado Cafe | Vancouver, BC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:36
The world of specialty coffee today owes a lot of its success to those who helped build movements and create opportunities in earlier years. The times where new and actually meaningful advances in coffee shops, coffee cr…
SHIFT BREAK: Forget Productivity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:24
The hustle of business creates a fear culture where operators worry about their productivity at a near constant rate. We scratch our heads over how to prevent burn-out and talk about work life balance, but what about hav…