This profile is in active compilation — some details are awaiting a cited source.

a Black-owned community-hub coffeehouse and event space at 4327 Troost Ave, KCMO, founded in 2018 by Dontavious Young; Tier 1 for its owner-operated, deeply rooted mission to build community on a historically redlined corridor.

Description

Equal Minded Cafe is a Black-owned coffeehouse and community gathering space at 4327 Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.12 The cafe describes itself as “an inclusive community hub where everyone is welcome,” pairing quality coffee and food with a mission to bring together people across race, background, belief, and income.3 It is named in the spirit of “Ubuntu” — “we are who we are because of who we ALL are.”1

The menu centers on coffee — the business roasts its own beans in-house under the name KC Coffee Roasters — alongside chai lattes, matcha drinks, drip coffee, and a food program of breakfast and lunch items including breakfast sandwiches/melts, avocado toast, bagels, croissants, muffins, and smoothies.345 The cafe is known among regulars for its chai.1

Beyond daily cafe service, Equal Minded operates as an event center and creative platform. The venue can host up to roughly 150 guests indoors (more with outdoor space) and has been used for community gatherings, performances, workshops, open-mic nights, paint nights, entrepreneur pop-ups, corporate meetings, and private celebrations.16 As of the most recent reviews and posted hours in 2026, it is open and operating.73

Ownership and history

Equal Minded Cafe was founded in 2018 by Dontavious Young, who opened it at age 20 on Troost Avenue — historically one of the most redlined streets in America and a longstanding segregation dividing line in Kansas City.26 Young serves as property owner, event coordinator, and cafe manager.6

Young has said his drive to build a community space traces in part to losing his best friend to violence at age 13, and that he measures the cafe in community impact rather than margins: “I just care about seeing people win. It’s not a lot of money, but it’s a lot of wealth.”6 His stated mission is to provide resources, opportunities, and connections to Kansas Citians from every district, with a focus on breaking down systemic barriers that have disproportionately affected Black residents — placing that work deliberately on Troost.26 KCUR has profiled the cafe as a gathering place for Kansas Citians “fighting to change the world.”2

Sources

Disputes

(None active.)

Footnotes

  1. Equal Minded Cafe — official site / “Learn More” — https://equalmindedcafe.com/learn-more — asserts: inclusive community hub, “Ubuntu” naming, address 4327 Troost Ave, event capacity ~150 (400+ with outdoor), known for chai, business phone 816-933-9626. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  2. KCUR — https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2023-04-16/equal-minded-cafe-wants-to-be-a-gathering-place-for-kansas-citians-fighting-to-change-the-world — asserts: opened 2018 on historically redlined Troost; mission to break down systemic barriers; gathering place for changemakers. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  3. Equal Minded Cafe — official homepage — https://equalmindedcafe.com/ — asserts: quality coffee and food, operates KC Coffee Roasters, current posted hours, event venue + catering, active carry-out ordering. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  4. Order.online / Grubhub listings — https://order.online/store/equal-minded-cafe-kansas-city-420787 — asserts: address 4327 Troost Ave, active online ordering, menu items. ↩

  5. VoyageKC — community highlight — https://voyagekc.com/interview/community-highlights-meet-dontavious-young-of-equal-minded-cafe — asserts: menu items (chai lattes, matcha, drip, breakfast melts), events (paint nights, open mics, entrepreneur pop-ups). ↩

  6. VoyageKC / KSHB — https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/equal-minded-cafe-owner-brings-positive-impact-through-coffee — asserts: owner Dontavious Young, opened at age 20, roles (owner/event coordinator/manager), personal story, community-over-profit philosophy. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  7. Yelp — https://www.yelp.com/biz/equal-minded-cafe-kansas-city-4 — asserts: open status, “Updated March 2026,” 141 photos & 64 reviews, address, coffee & tea category. ↩

See also

  • Registry
  • Owner-And-History-Research-Toolchain
Categories
  • Locally owned
  • Coffee
  • Rockhill