But First, Coffee...

“You’d think that people would have had enough silly love songs I look around me and see it isn’t so”

In addition to the love songs Sir Paul McCartney mentions, the world cannot seem to get enough coffee. Chicago is a special place in the world of coffee—specifically where something called the “third wave” of coffee is concerned. For those unfamiliar, referring to coffee in the 20th and 21st centuries as taking place in three distinct “waves” is an appropriation of the three waves seen in the feminist movement. Where coffee is concerned though, the first wave focused on the creation of cheap and accessible coffee. The second wave kicked off in 1960s Berkeley, California with shops like the now famous Peet’s Coffee & Tea, where a greater focus on sourcing higher quality beans began to take place. The third wave, which we are now in, introduced an even higher standard along with an “artisan” approach; leave it to the hipsters (which includes yours truly) to find a way to incorporate the term “artisan.” Intelligentsia Coffee was opened in Chicago in the mid-1990s and has become one of the major pillars of the coffee world. So, it only makes sense to launch an article looking at the coffee shops and culture that exist around this beautiful beverage and magnificent city.

So, in each column I will report out on my most recent visits to the coffee shops and cafes throughout the city. I know, it’s hard work, but someone has to do it! This time around we are taking a look at “Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health” (CHHAMH) which is more of a grassroots mental health movement with a café. CHHAMH’s has a storefront location on Broadway in Lakeview, just north of Melrose. Upon entering, my eyes immediately darted to the large colorful painting on one of the walls; a human brain made up of words like “peace,” “help,” “pain,” and of course “coffee.” Cute round tables with chairs and a case of merch line the opposite wall. As you walk further into the café, you see all of the art and portraits that line the wall—a large painting of Common takes center stage. The bass-heavy sound of hip-hop pours at a high decibel out of the speakers they have set up near a turntable— which was appreciated until it was time to order.

CHHAMH seems to place a little more emphasis on their specialty and house drinks rather than straight coffee, which honestly isn’t a bad idea since that caters to the biggest segment of those journeying into most cafes in search of a sweet and caffeine-laced beverage. I order a regular coffee and my girlfriend orders the drink they are showcasing that day: a honey-lavender coffee creation called “The Bey Hive.” A combination of nice weather, COVID, and the loud music result in our decision to walk down to Lake Shore Drive and find a quiet place to sit. I take a sip of the “Bey Hive” creation and, though I don’t particularly care for sweet drinks, I enjoy the sugary concoction— though any notes of lavender are lost in the honey and coffee.

While in the café and ordering then receiving our drinks, I had this nostalgic feeling wash over me. Then it occurred to me that I was being reminded of the cafes that you see at places of worship these days—specifically Christian churches. Later it occurs to me that it makes sense as the founder of CHHAMH, Christopher LeMark once upon a time was an artist in the Christian rap genre and went by the name “Focus One.”

CHHAMH opened their doors in November of 2020, so as coffee shops go, they are still in their infancy. It is my hope that as they grow, they will expand into roasting their own beans or perhaps partner with some of the larger Chicago-based coffee companies to offer coffee beans that are higher quality and fresher than the Pike’s Place roast I ordered yesterday. All of that aside, seeing a Black-owned business making a mission out of de-stigmatizing and promoting mental health in all communities is, in the opinion of this author, incredibly important. Their mission is inspiring enough to enable one to look more to the positive impact they are having in their communities and less at the coffee in the cup.

WRITTEN BY GABE NYE PHOTOGRAPHY BY HEX HERNANDEZ