Historic Noir Coffee Group is based out of Atlanta, GA and was founded by Ricardo Richardson. While visiting Rosie's Coffee Cafe recently with some friends - I spotlighted Rosie's a couple months ago - we were introduced to the Historic Noir Coffee Group brand of coffee. The blend names honor the founder's Atlanta roots with names such as West End, Fourth Ward and Decatur.

With all the stuff going on with Starbucks and other companies who are insensitive to our community, it's great to know that we have alternatives to the big brands! Let's drive sales for them by asking the restaurants that you patronize if they carry Historic Noir Coffee.

The Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center is located in the West End of Atlanta. It was established over 40 years ago by world-renowned theologian Albert Buford Cleage. (He is pictured here standing in front of the building in 1976.) Located on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, it is right next door to the Shrine of the Black Madonna of the Pan-African Orthodox Christian Church.

The Cultural Center sells items from books to sneakers to artwork! It is also a place to hang out and speak to like-minded members of the community. Don't wait until you're "in the neighborhood"...make a special trip to go visit the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center.