Our Beginning
The Black Cat Coffee Café Project began around a kitchen table with drawings, laughter, and a spark of imagination.
One afternoon, Frankie, Angelica, and Josey sat together at Frankie's house, doodling and dreaming. They talked about how fun it would be to run a coffee shop and started coming up with names. Somewhere between sketches of cats and cups of coffee, The Black Cat Coffee Café was born.
That simple moment sparked something much bigger.
Frankie's mom, Tracy Bono, saw the joy in their idea and the potential behind it. As a parent, she imagined what it could become, not just a pop-up café but a space where young adults with disabilities could gain experience, confidence, and connection. Tracy brought the idea to life, opening her home for the very first pop-up in February 2023. Five original Coffee Crew members welcomed guests, served drinks, and surprised everyone with what was possible.
This little experiment, inspired by the pop-up spirit many embraced during the pandemic era, quickly turned into something more. The room was full of joy. The guests loved it. The Coffee Crew thrived. The idea worked.
As the early pop-ups continued, it became clear that something truly special was happening. Tracy, along with Andrea DeGraffenreid and Jeniffer Scott, whose sons, Alex and Carson, had been part of the Coffee Crew from the very beginning, recognized that the impact of the Black Cat Coffee Café Project reached far beyond their small group. They saw not only the happiness and growth in their own kids but also the overwhelming support from the wider community. People were showing up, cheering the Crew on, and asking how they could help.
What started as a simple pop-up was now a powerful force for inclusion.
Together, the three families knew this needed to grow. They began the journey of turning the Black Cat Coffee Café Project into an official nonprofit so more young adults with disabilities could experience the same opportunities to shine. That dream became a reality in July 2025.
Today, the Black Cat Coffee Café Project continues as a mobile pop-up café operating across St. Charles County, Missouri. We remain rooted in that first kitchen table moment and in the belief that when young adults with disabilities are given opportunities and support, they shine.
We are still growing. But that table, that dream, and the families who believed in it will always be the heart of everything we do.
Our Mission: Brewing Inclusivity One Cup at a Time
Our mission is to create a welcoming and supportive space where individuals of all abilities can develop valuable skills, gain meaningful work experience, and build confidence in a real-world setting.
Through our Black Cat Coffee Café Pop-ups we strive to foster a sense of belonging, encourage personal growth, and highlight the unique contributions of every individual.
By bringing people together over a shared experience, we aim to strengthen our community, promote understanding, and celebrate the potential in everyone.
