Nestled in The MarketPlace in Madison Crescent in Gainesville, The Culture Cup stands as more than just a coffee shop.
For owner Nikki Brown, who opened the cafe last year, the space represents a vision that’s deeply rooted in African American history, community engagement and human connection.
Brown’s roots in African American culture and history shaped her mission for The Culture Cup. She was raised in a family deeply conscious of social impact. Her mother was a history teacher. Her father, a civil rights activist, participated in sit-ins during the 1960s, instilling in her a strong sense of responsibility.
Brown grew up in Baltimore, where she performed in one of the first African American theaters in the nation – Arena Playhouse. “My parents always reminded me that it was my duty not only to succeed but to use my success to empower others in my community,” Brown said.
But it’s not just the stories of the past that inspire Brown; it’s the human connections that happen daily within her shop.
“The community that’s been built here has happened very organically,” she said. “People come in, take ownership and form relationships. It’s beyond what I imagined, and I’m so grateful for that.”
To Brown, that fostering of humanity and celebration of culture is as important as serving delicious lattes, if not more.
“We are not just coffee-driven or even business-driven, for that matter,” Brown explained. “At the core of The Culture Cup is community and humanity. Our mission is to inspire others and build real connections.”
From the décor to the menu, every aspect of The Culture Cup is intentional and symbolic. Even the furniture tells a story, like the chairs inspired by the iconic photograph of Huey P. Newton, founder of the Black Panther Party, sitting in a similar seat.
The drinks, too, are named after pioneers in African American history, like the popular Maple Morrison, a nod to Toni Morrison’s representation of the maple tree as a symbol of life, freedom and wisdom in her novel “Beloved.”
And creating signature drinks like the Angelou – named after Maya Angelou – a lavender vanilla latte inspired by the author’s love of lavender – allows Brown to show her creative side.
“I like pairing things that people might raise an eyebrow at, like brown sugar and sage. It’s about being creative, and I consider myself a creative,” she said.
The shop’s diverse clientele is a testament to the inclusive environment Brown wants to foster.
“It’s a place for African Americans to be unapologetically themselves, but at the same time, it welcomes everyone,” she said.
In addition to featuring famed African American literature, art and history, the shop is actively preserving and sharing from Gainesville and Haymarket’s own Black history. On the walls, diners will find old photographs and other artifacts dating back to the free “Settlement” formed after the Civil War around Carver Road and Old Carolina Road.
“We have books here that anyone is welcome to read, and it’s amazing to see people learning things about the history of their own neighborhood that they didn’t know,” Brown added. “People come in curious, and we welcome that curiosity.”
Jennifer Roberts of Haymarket is a community organizer and author who has helped to coordinate children’s story times at Culture Cup for the past year. Roberts said the shop is a fantastic addition to Gainesville.
“The coffee and sandwiches are delicious, the space is warm and beautifully appointed, and the customer service is excellent,” she added. “Every time I visit, I see a familiar face and meet someone new. The Culture Cup is our community hub, a space for us to breathe, exhale and simply be.”
Brown’s connection to coffee is also deeply personal, tied to her memories with her father. “Coffee was something my dad and I shared,” she said. “The last time I saw him, we had coffee together.”
Running a business isn’t without its challenges, but Brown has been intentional about setting boundaries. The Culture Cup is closed on Sundays, a decision Nikki made to ensure she has time to rejuvenate and avoid burnout.
“Boundaries are really important to me. I make sure I continue doing things that bring me joy, like interacting with the community and organizing events,” she said.
Before opening the cafe, Brown worked as a liaison for the Fairfax County Health Department with the African American community.
“It was during that time that I started to learn about all the rich African American history here, and I kind of got obsessed with it, collecting artifacts and research,” Brown said.
However, it was only after she opened Culture Cup that Brown learned she had a great-grandmother who lived in Marshall.
“I had no idea I had roots in Northern Virginia, and I had no idea I would ever be living here either,” said Brown. “It’s like my life has had a full-circle moment.”
Carylee Carrington is an award-winning children’s author, marketing consultant and advocate for diversity in children’s literature. Carylee aims to empower young readers with stories that reflect the world’s rich diversity. Find out more at readwithcarylee.org.
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