“It started because someone gave me an opportunity," Michael Blackwell, owner of Café on the Corner describes his mantra to give back. The Blackwell's (Michael and his lovely wife Lateresa) are the owners of the Café on the Corner, located at 2700 Woodland Avenue on Pittsburgh's North Side.

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My wife and I love where we live and our neighbors. "The Café was once the Home Plate Bar, reported as a community nuisance bar," said Lateresa. The people in the community complained about it. 

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The Blackwell's decided the building was in good shape, the structure was beautiful and they knew this type of business was needed in the community. They submitted a business plan to The New Hope for Neighborhood Renewal and after a few tweaks it was approved by the Board. On August 30, 2014 Café on the Corner held its grand opening.

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The Blackwell's invite you to feed your soul with the popular New Orleans Gumbo, Grilled Turkey Reuben, Panini's, wraps, hot soups, sweet desserts and more. Since 2017 the Blackwell's purchased the building that housed "Cafe on the Corner" becoming the proud property owners of 2700 Shadeland Avenue a commercial business owner with the support of the Northside Development Community Funds, enabling us to build out a full-energy efficient kitchen that has allowed Cafe on the Corner to expand our menu to SOUL FOOD!  come get your BBQ Ribs, BBQ chicken, greens, yams, mac n cheese, etc." critique how you see fit :)  I attached a flyer for the soul-food menu if you can use it.   This brings a new appreciation to the high expertise of his culinary skills.

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The Blackwell's have also started a non-profit organization called "Kitchen of Grace." This organization will focus on workforce development through training in the catering and restaurant industry.