Boon & Black Imagination: A Coffee Ceremony with Mehret Mehanzel

Boon & Black Imagination is a cultural gathering that invites Black community to come together through the tradition of the East African coffee ceremony. Rooted in ritual, hospitality, and the slow art of conversation, this experience creates space for artists to pause, connect, and commune in meaningful ways.

Inspired by the ceremonial preparation and sharing of coffee, participants gather in a circle to share stories, reflect on their creative journeys, and explore the cultural memories that shape their artistic work. Through conversation, reflection, and creative exchange, the ceremony nurtures deeper relationships across artistic disciplines, generations, and cultures within the African diaspora.

As coffee is roasted, brewed, and poured, the gathering unfolds through multiple rounds—each one inviting deeper dialogue, imagination, and connection. The aroma of roasting beans, the presence of incense, and the rhythm of slow conversation help create a space grounded in community, culture, and creativity.

Together, we gather to…