Profile: Kinship Cafe
Kinship Cafe is bringing community & kindness to your daily cup of coffee in KCK.
Photos by Kelly Bunch
Every now and then, you’re fortunate enough to meet a person whose light shines so bright, it illuminates the entire world around them. I had that stroke of luck when I walked into Kinship Cafe and met the owner, TJ Roberts. While I enjoyed my drink in the sunny space, Roberts told me about his background and plans for the cafe - all while greeting customers by name and remembering their orders from last time.
Starting small in October 2021, Roberts began with a limited drink menu of drip coffee, cold brew, and chai. He recently added a shiny, new espresso machine to expand his offerings to include lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos. I highly recommend the homemade chai I tried - Roberts was making it from scratch when I walked in.
When he first became interested in coffee, Roberts dedicated several nights a week to learning everything he could while still running his insurance business by day. After 10 years of insurance, he decided to transition full time to coffee and related ventures. He helped start Black Drip, another Black-owned coffee brand, before branching off to pursue Kinship Cafe. He now brews and sells Black Drip coffee in the shop. As he continues to build out his space, he hopes to expand the retail area to support more Black-owned business owners.
Roberts’ passion for cultivating human enrichment around his business is evident. Not only is he creating a physical space for people to convene, he’s also focused on providing community programs for learning and networking. Recent events include financial literacy, home planning 101, sound baths, and game night. Roberts noted that he’s not just building a business, he’s building a community and a more intentional way of living.
From my experience, he’s also spreading enthusiasm. I left Kinship with a smile on my face and an extra pep in my step for the day ahead. If you’re looking for a place to connect, relax, or simply grab a great drink, head to KCK to enjoy Kinship Cafe.
Kinship Cafe
719 N 6th St, Kansas City, KS
Open M-F; 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
