Help Build Kinship 2.0

Taste the Kindness. Build the Future.

Kinship Café started as more than just a coffee shop—it’s a movement. A space where community, culture, and courage come together over a cup of ethically sourced, hella good coffee. We started in 2021 with a mission to create a Black-owned specialty coffee space that uplifts BIPOC businesses, invests in our people, and ensures that every dollar we make supports a wider network of BIPOC entrepreneurs, farmers, and creators.

Now, we’re expanding. But we need your help.

The Challenge: Why We Need You Now

Kinship’s journey has been full of resilience, passion, and purpose. But we’re at a turning point.

Our Strawberry Hill location had to close unexpectedly, but this isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something even bigger. We are launching a new brick-and-mortar location in Independence, MO, with a drive-thru AND working on a new KCK location, giving us the ability to serve more people, create more jobs, and build something truly sustainable for the future.

To make this happen, we need to raise $50,000 for:

✅ Renovations to build out the new café and drive thru.

✅ New equipment to keep up with the demand for GOOD coffee.

✅ Hiring and training new BIPOC baristas.

✅ Increasing inventory to bring you new, high-quality, locally sourced products.

We’re currently at $2,142 raised, but we need to hit $5,000 THIS WEEK to keep our momentum going and stay on track for our Grand Opening on March 28th.

The Opportunity: Why This Matters

Kinship isn’t just about coffee—it’s about community.

☕ Reclaiming Our Roots – Coffee originated in Africa. It’s our soil, our land, our legacy. Kinship sources beans from BIPOC and women-owned farms, ensuring that every cup you drink uplifts the very people who built this industry.

‍ Investing in People – We prioritize hiring, training, and empowering BIPOC baristas. We don’t just create jobs—we create opportunities for growth in an industry where representation is still lacking.

Circulating the Dollar – Every dollar that comes into Kinship is intentionally reinvested in our community. We source local ingredients, support BIPOC-owned businesses, and provide a fee-free platform for BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ creators to sell their goods inside our space.

Creating a Gathering Place – Kinship is where people come together. Our new space will serve as a cultural hub for collaboration, creativity, and connection. A safe and welcoming space for all to claim as their “Third Space”.

Bringing Specialty Coffee to More People – Our new drive-thru makes high-quality, ethically sourced coffee more accessible to busy parents, workers on the go, and those with mobility challenges. Specialty coffee shouldn’t be a luxury—it should be for everyone. This expansion ensures that more people in our community can experience hella good coffee without barriers.

Amplifying BIPOC Voices – Kinship is a platform for BIPOC entrepreneurs to showcase their products and skills through pop-ups, retail space, and collaborations—without the usual barriers. When Kinship grows, our community thrives.

Connecting Community Through Coffee – Kinship is where neighbors meet, friendships form, and local news gets shared over a cup. Whether you’re discovering a new business, finding out what’s happening in KC, or making valuable connections, Kinship is the spot where the community stays in the know and grows together.

We Know Times Are Hard—Here’s Why We’re Asking Anyway

We’re exploring every possible means of support, including federal and local grants and loans, but these funds are not guaranteed to come in, and they won’t meet the urgent needs of our short-term future. And so, we must humbly ask for your support.

We know this is a difficult and uncertain time for many, and we understand that there are countless individuals and organizations in need. If you’re in a position to support us, we are deeply grateful for any help you can offer. Every single dollar makes a difference—helping us cover immediate costs, support our team, and build the foundation that will carry Kinship into the future.

And if a donation isn’t possible, we completely understand. A share, a post, a tag, or even telling a friend about Kinship helps us more than you know!

How You Can Help

Donate – Any amount helps! Every dollar pushes us closer to our goal and helps us open our doors on time.

Share – Spread the word! Share this GoFundMe with your friends, family, and social networks. Every repost, tag, and shoutout helps us reach new supporters.

Show Up – Join our pop-up events and be part of the movement. And most importantly, come celebrate at our Grand Opening on March 28th!

Kinship isn’t just a coffee shop—it’s a movement. A love letter to community, representation, and resilience.

Let’s build something bigger. Together.

Donate today & be a part of history. #TasteTheKindness