MILWAUKEE — Coffee Makes You Black is a restaurant and coffee shop that is located at 2803 N. Teutonia Ave.
Djdade Denson is the General Manager.
"I'm a Milwaukee native," Denson says. "I actually grew up in this neighborhood 53206, right on 19th and Locust Street. I've got a degree in environmental engineering from Marquette University. I wanted to find a way to give back to my community, so coming back to Coffee Makes You Black, a restaurant in 53206, which is a community hub."
Denson has seen some of the worst of the worst growing up in the streets of a zip code that is synonymous with crime and violence. Having a restaurant in his community is important to him.
"I think it's absolutely vital," he explains. "We've been around since 2001 and we've kept our consistency. It's a place that is for the community and by the community."
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He started working for Bradley Thurman who started the business about 21 years ago. Bradley is grooming the Marquette grad to take over in less than a year.
"The future is looking very bright for Coffee Makes You Black," Denson beams. "We have a very extensive renovation plan undergoing. We are adding a brand new commercial kitchen, so we can deal with some of the load that we've been getting lately. On our second floor, we're adding a financial clinic, just to bring some resources to the community. Last but not least, on the third floor, we're doing a 300-person ball room, so we can host bigger events."
Coffee Makes You Black is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit their website.