To Coffee or To Kusanya Café

It’s Wednesday or hump day as most people call it!  The weather is hot and girls are dressing less and checking out the fellas to tell 'em who's best – err wait!  This is February in the Chi!  The land of warm weather today and arctic cold tomorrow!  Somehow, Will Smith’s “Summertime” lyrics seem so appropriate as I head out into this gaw’jeous weather in search of a cozy place to sit, think and ah yes…to write, but as I packed my bag to leave the house, in go an umbrella, sunglasses, a thin pair of gloves, my scarf, and a change of shoes.  I know what you’re thinking, but hey – it’s the city I live in!

As I warm up my car, I think to myself “do I just want mainstream coffee, Internet, and a fight for the table near the plug to set the mood and inspire my thoughts?"  Or "do I desire a neighborhood gem that feels like home like Cheers – where everyone knows your name?"  There are approximately 77 communities and 200 neighborhoods in Chicago so finding the right place to relax and write with free parking of course, could be a challenge. 

I headed to Englewood - a neighborhood with charm and inspiration and whose notable residents include singers such as Chaka Khan and Jennifer Hudson and the Chicago Bull’s player, Derrick Rose.  In its heart sits Kusanya Café, the only non-fast-food restaurant in Englewood started by a group of neighborhood residents.  This comfortable, inspiring place where 70s soul music is played in the background and the sandwiches are named accordingly is run by Phil Sipka.   Its Swahili name means, “amass” or gather and its Afro centric vibe yields power and encouragement.  As I sit and contemplate on whether to order the Chicken Funkadelic or a Cafe Au Lait, I settled on peppermint tea and a glazed donut.  I observed the décor - reclaimed materials were used as inspiration for design.  The laptop coffee bar is made of church pews and the lights of old glass bottles.  There are painted pictures of Malcolm X and the countertop is made of old wooden doors.  Although this café has only been open a mere 3 months, it boasts employees from the neighborhood and a desire to give Englewood residents an alternative outlet thru a number of programs highlighting the arts such as poetry night by Team Englewood H.S. and Yoga sponsored by I Grow Chicago. 

As I got ready to wrap up and leave the cafe, in walk 3 gentlemen.  Since they sat next to me, I decided to spark up a friendly chat.  It turns out they were visiting from Erfurt, Germany with Spirit of Football CIC, a not-for-profit community interest company dedicated to promoting a very special soccer ball as the “star of the beautiful game” in the run–up to each World Cup.  “The Ball 2014” started traveling in January and will journey from London across 25 countries and hundreds of schools to the World Cup in Brazil this June.  This Football’s Olympic Torch links people and communities around the world together in the spirit of fairness and respect – one signature at a time!  One ball: One world!  I signed this famous ball.  In fact, my signature was #3,527.  Before I could sign, Andrew, the program director tossed the ball to me to complete a header - a play with the forehead and a ritual completed by every single signer before me!

Kusanya Café is definitely a rare gemstone in Englewood! Its “pay-it-forward” strategy and $1 cup of coffee are also inviting ways to fill the atmosphere with warmth and positive energy! Who knew that when I set out to relax and write, I was nixing the “just coffee” atmosphere for a more appealing and fun yet delectable option better yet adventure? I literally went from writing to semi-playing soccer at this café. I must say, today was a good day!