Brewing Up Change: The Future of Kinship Cafe

Something for everyone—perfectly crafted bites and brews at Kinship Cafe. // Photo by Joe Zlotnick

There’s something about the perfect blend of houseplants, abundant natural light, and local art that creates an unmatched vibe in a coffee shop. Walking into Kinship Cafe is an instant mood booster—a perfect remedy for those seasonal blues. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to linger, and the coffee is just that good.

Founded by local entrepreneur T.J. Roberts, Kinship Cafe is a space that is about more than brewing a bean—it’s about connection, opportunity, and representation. “I didn’t see anyone who looked like me in other specialty coffee spots in KC,” says Roberts.

“I had to ask myself, ‘do Black people drink coffee?’,” he says. The answer was clear– Yes, but the lack of representation sparked deeper questions for Roberts: “How can coffee shops feel successful if part of the community doesn’t feel welcome?” From that point on, Roberts was off to the races.

T.J. Roberts, founder of Kinship Cafe, created a space where community, connection, and great coffee come together. // Photo by Joe Zlotnick

What he created was Kinship Cafe. The coffee shop opened in 2021 in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood of KCK, but after struggling to secure a long-term lease, Roberts decided to close its doors in February 2025. But don’t worry—Kinship’s espresso machine will only be off temporarily. Roberts doesn’t give up that easily. He’s already looking ahead, with plans to open two new locations in the coming months. One will be located on the Kansas City Community College campus. Roberts also plans to open a location in Independence, set to open on March 28.

Although Roberts is expanding from one location to two, he doesn’t necessarily equate success with franchising. For him, it’s all about building a genuine sense of community. “I just want to create community. This area–KCK—is an area of side hustlers. People are struggling, working multiple jobs,” he explains. “The people we serve are worthy of seeing their values served back to them.
This commitment to his community is at the heart of everything Kinship does, and it is exactly how Roberts started brewing all those years ago. Roberts’s passion for coffee began as a child. A pastor’s kid, he would wake up early to make coffee for his entire church every week. He hopes to serve his community in the same way.

Community extends not only to the customers but to the team that helps make the vision a reality. “I hire from the community we serve,” says Roberts. “We are serving our teachers, neighbors, and friends.” He wants his employees to be able to connect with the people they serve, which is why he makes it a priority to recruit from within the local area.

For Roberts, hiring goes beyond experience. While many specialty coffee shops demand years of experience and specific training, he’s committed to offering opportunities to those who haven’t had access to such resources. “A lot of people want to work in coffee, but many specialty shops require experience and training that can be hard to come by,” he says. “I aim to give those eager to enter the coffee space a place to learn and grow.”

It’s not just about creating jobs but also providing valuable learning opportunities for those who have the passion to grow in the coffee industry. Roberts sees this as an integral part of making coffee culture accessible. “It’s about showing people that it’s accessible. It’s not necessarily like farfetched.”

An important aspect of the perfect cup of coffee is the beans that Roberts sources. Roberts sources his coffee beans from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, and Kenya, ensuring that the economic benefits directly reach marginalized communities. But the search for these beans wasn’t easy for Roberts. “I called all these coffee suppliers and buyers that were with these major PC commodity companies that help push new products. Of course, I was given a list of farms in Brazil, but what really interests me are those that are strictly family-owned,” Roberts says.

Future customers can enjoy their carefully sourced coffee in new digs soon. The new location in Independence boasts a larger space compared to the (now closed) Strawberry Hill cafe, plus a drive-through. The building was previously a bank, and Roberts is excited about the large vault. He plans a sensory-friendly working room for the vault space, where customers will be asked to adhere to rules such as no chatting, food, or calls.

Kinship Cafe may have shuttered its current location, but don’t worry—this community-centered gem is just getting started. With two new locations on the way, T.J. Roberts is brewing up a bright future, one cup at a time.