BLACK COFFEE NORTHWEST CENTRAL DISTRICT

Help Us Reach Our Fundraising Goal: Let's Finish Strong & Open This Space

Black Coffee Northwest (BCNW) is a Black-owned coffee restaurant business serving the greater King County Area with a mission to be a community HUB and serve great coffee & bites! BCNW was founded by Dar’Nesha Weary in 2020. Dar’nesha serves as CEO and is a Seattle native with over twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector, where she has focused on building community, and making a positive impact by challenging racism, promoting acceptance of people from different backgrounds, raising awareness, and using her voice to address hate and to promote kindness.

BCNW consists of two key parts, the first part being Black Coffee Northwest LLC. Their LLC is the part of the BCNW business that serves great coffee and local bites. BCNW LLC consists of two locations: the North Seattle College Cafe and their newest location in the historic Seattle Central District.

The second key part of BCNW is Black Coffee Northwest Grounded - a registered 501(c)(3) which provides a variety of programming to local youth. Grounded offers a variety of programs including drop in after school study and hangout space, Grounded Girls a support group and mentorship program for young women, drama club, podcasting studio, music program, mental health service and an internship program with focus on barista training and social justice. Grounded was previously hosted at the Black Coffee Northwest Grounded Youth Leadership Development Space in the City of Shoreline. In mid-2023 Black Coffee Northwest closed its cafe & Youth Leadership Development Space citing “the relentless force of gentrification.”

The Central District of Seattle has a rich history shaped by diverse communities and significant social and cultural transformations. During the mid-20th century, the Central District emerged as the cultural and economic heart of Seattle's African American community. The neighborhood flourished with black-owned businesses, churches, community organizations, and a vibrant arts scene. Prominent figures like musician Quincy Jones, activist and writer Maya Angelou, and guitarist, songwriter and singer Jimi Hendrix had connections to the Central District.

In recent decades, this once predominantly Black community has experienced significant demographic shifts and gentrification. Rising property values, development projects, and the influx of wealthier residents has displaced many long-time African American residents and family businesses. This has led to concerns about cultural erasure, the loss of community institutions, and the ongoing struggle for affordable housing.

Since the closure of the Shoreline cafe and leadership space, BCNW has been working on opening its new Central District location. The work has begun and we're so close! Help Us Reach Our Fundraising Goal: Let's Finish Strong & Open This Space!

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Black Coffee Northwest Central District

Grounded in Excellence

Team Members