Black Coffee, Black Consciousness
Blew Kind & Franny Lou’s Porch
Photo essay by Seneca Shahara Brand
intro by Courtney Diener-Stokes
Blew Kind founded Franny Lou’s Porch in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2015.
Named after two Civil Rights activists, Fannie Lou Hammer and Frances E.W. Harper, the cafe provides a window into the history of black activism and serves as a catalyst for change for marginalized groups. The “conflict-free” space encourages people to connect, rest and mobilize. Kind aims to ignite positive change by engaging people in community activism and cultural awareness. Her organic cafe supports local farms while practicing a waste-free and compost culture.
As an artist, I love to capture “what is” when it comes to photographing people and their environments. For me, it tells the story best. I took in Franny Lou’s Porch with this frame of curiosity. Blew has carved-out a bold and significant space to empower people in her community and beyond, and her story lies in the details lovingly crafted throughout the café. Her vehicle is the café, but her work is to support and build a socially-aware community and to help raise consciousness through African American culture, literature, and insights. In addition to the more pronounced offerings, she provides moments of pause in unexpected places to reflect and ponder small, yet profound bites of wisdom and beauty. A feeling of abundance exists because of the richness of texture created with words, art, Blew’s resourcefulness, and community engagement initiatives. Consciousness...and coffee abound.
Apropos promotion of local African American craftswoman Silently Loud.
Collection of vintage African American authored books curated and consigned by Philadelphia's Black Soul Vintage.
Quote on upcylced vase, "Slavery is dead, but the spirit which animated it still lives." –Frances Harper
“What wisdom can you share…”
Creative art space for children. “Come create, exercise the possibilities of a blank page.”
"Keep Your Crown Up.” Mixed media art adjacent to image illustrating art's message on flyer for Philadelphia's indie bookshop Harriet's Bookshop.
Nelson Mandela, “The Symbol of African Indomitable Spirit.”
"Radical retail curated with intention; local, organic, relational love," featuring KEEBS Laurent and Triangle Roasters.
Blew Kind
Blew Kind, mother, artist, and entrepreneur, was born and raised in Virginia then moved to Philadelphia for performance school in 2006. She is a lover of the African diaspora, poetry, sustainable business, and bridging gaps between people groups providing safe spaces to explore, deepen, and be healthy. Kind understands the importance of balanced community to thrive as families and individuals; creating space for self awareness and self care. She has owned coffeehouse spaces for a decade and is excited to start more generative and creative businesses. Learn more at frannylousporch.org and follow on Instagram and Facebook.
Seneca Shahara Brand
Seneca is a freelance photographer and artist based in Philadelphia. She has a great appreciation for soulful connections, all forms of nourishment, synchronicity, and love!
