139 : Founder Friday w/ Kusanya Cafe Co-Founder, Phil Sipka! : Community organization, non-profit, resident run, serving the neighborhood, creating a 3rd place, empowering staff and community, renewal vs. gentrification

It's Founder Friday! Today we talk with the Co-Founder of Kusanya Cafe located in Englewood, Chicago, USA, Phil Sipka. Kusanya Cafe is an all resident owned and run non-profit coffee shop that has been providing an amazing gathering spot and 3rd place for the Englewood neighborhood for the past 5 years. It is truly a great example of what can happen when a community comes together and build something together.  In this conversation we discuss the vision of Kusanya, the years long struggle to get the cafe open, community organization, working as a non-profit shop, opening up the space to be guided and co-created with the neighborhood, hiring and empowering staff, winning the trust of the neighborhood, and much more.  This is a small but mighty example of what revitalization and renewal can look like in the face of gentrification.  Be inspired! Links: http://www.kusanyacafe.org Understanding Gentrification w/ Dr. Stacey Sutton    Thanks to our sponsors! www.pacificfoods.com www.prima-coffee.com