A vibrant mural beckons passersby with its bright yellow background and multicolored art, juxtaposed alongside the gray, muted colors of the surrounding buildings. The red text above its open windows reads “Brick N Kulture Event Space.” The neon and sparkling hues filling the mural are enough to inspire curiosity. Strangers wander into the adjoining Cultural Collective Café to ask questions, only to find an equally stunning work of art on the wall.
Inside the Cultural Collective Café, a quaint spot to grab a coffee and pastry, is another yellow wall adorned with a painting of a Black man and woman looking chic and focused, surrounded by butterflies and custom street signs, in green and white, reading “Cultural Collective” and “Good Vibes.” The piece was crafted by a member of the community, local artist De'von Downes.
The art evokes a calming welcome to those stepping through the door. A safe space. A place to feel at home, and part of something more. By design, each element of the Cultural Collective Café and Brick N Kulture Event Space in Woodbury, New Jersey, speaks to the need for community.
“Community means everything to me, and I don’t just say that. I believe that with community, collectively, we can win. When everybody comes together for one purpose, one goal, one vision - you can win so much more. And I have been blessed to have a great community,” says owner Sadiyyah Maamoon-Means.
Maamoon-Means has been a realtor for over eighteen years, but she knew that she was destined for more. In October of 2020, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, she opened the Cultural Collective Café as part of a desire to empower her community. Thanks to her vision and persistence, the Cultural Collective is now the first and only Black woman-owned coffee shop with a community events venue in Gloucester County, NJ. As their fifth anniversary approaches, she reflects on the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and the continued importance of community engagement.
“I never knew that I would own a coffee shop or a community event space. I knew that I wanted to do more. Prior to my obtaining the space, this was an artisan market with an espresso bar. And I’m not a coffee guru, but I like to go places to meet friends, sit on my laptop, and have coffee. It felt right [to build on that idea].” And while the Covid-19 pandemic did alter her approach, it allowed her to pivot and grow the space into the community haven it is now.
BrickNKulture is South Jersey's premier multi-purpose bi-level event venue. Our venue is available for dinner parties, bridal & baby showers, networking events and much more. With several intimate spaces to choose from, the event opportunities are endless.
In addition to our event space, we also hold space to collaborate with entrepreneurs, our community and creative visionaries on various opportunities.
BricknKulture is famous for hosting pop up shops, book signings, art shows, expos, conferences, and so much more. Our space cultivates and celebrates creative and cultural expression in our community.
As an inclusive community-focused tribe, we believe that we are stronger together and we are committed to empowering our community. We believe that there is enough for everyone. We invite you to join our community and we are confident that we will grow together.
East coast culture runs on coffee and caffeine so it makes sense that cafés have become community hubs and Sadiyyah’s place is no different in that regard. What does mark a difference for the Cultural Collective, is the utilization of the stunning event space. While the venue is open for rentals and private parties, it is the curated programming by Sadiyyah and her team that fosters a sense of camaraderie and provides opportunities for communal gatherings.
They will be hosting their “First Friday” Open Mic Night on October 3rd, followed by Hey Girlie: The Rise Up Summit on October 4th. The latter is a special event for girls, ages 9-16, where they will be empowered, educated, and elevated. The event will also feature a special pitch competition, with cash prizes, for the young entrepreneurs!
While their calendar is still underway, and more will be announced shortly, we can share that November 1st will feature an event called “Coffee and Construction.” More details will be available in the near future. Be sure to sign up for their email list (at the bottom of the web page) to keep up to date on events!
These community offerings provide an organic way to meet new friends and make connections. While the term “networking” has evolved to carry a somewhat negative, goal-oriented connotation, the effects of community building and networking are similar. Where the former evokes the notion of “business-only” connections, the latter extends to lasting relationships that may include business dealings, but reach beyond entrepreneurship.
“What I love [about what I do] is meeting people. I love the relationships that have been built. You never know who’s watching, but so many people have approached me about mentorship and how to learn from me. That tells me that I’m doing something right. And there are so many people happy to see me on this journey. That’s what I love, that there have been people who’ve been here since I first started, and they can spot my progress,” she says.
The community stalwart is heartened to know that others consider her a wealth of knowledge and revel in success alongside her. Recognizing her position as a role model, she encourages those who seek her counsel to follow their own entrepreneurial dreams. Though she is happy to provide advice of her own, she raves about the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program offered by the Women’s Business Academy through LAEDA in Camden, considering it a worthwhile mention.
Entrepreneurship itself is not new to Sadiyyah, but she relishes the opportunity to learn, and when she discovered the nine-week business training course in March 2023, she jumped at the chance. Despite having been running the Cultural Collective for over two years by then, she sought to strengthen her business acumen. “I’m a huge fan of education. I don’t think you can ever learn too much.Through their program, I’ve met some amazing entrepreneurs - some of whom are now residents in my space. One of my yoga instructors is Kia Brooks [founder and creator of the mental health space and company, Relax, Relate, Reclaim, LLC]. There have also been other LAEDA connections who have recently vended at my space as well. LAEDA’s great for networking, building relationships, and educating yourself more. I have nothing but great things to say.”
However, her education did not end with LAEDA. Two years later, in June of 2025, she went on to graduate from the New Jersey Black Women’s Collective Leadership Institute, where they aim to develop and empower the next generation of Black Women Leaders across New Jersey. There is no denying that this perpetual student is an inspiration and a leader indeed.
Community-oriented to her core, it is through another local organization that the entrepreneur befriended a local artist, leading to the aforementioned exterior mural that now successfully draws attention from the street. Their collaboration is a reflection of the business’ growth and the significance of a welcoming personality and community building.
It is thanks to the South Jersey Cultural Alliance that Sadiyyah Maamoon-Means met artist Kimisha Turner, where the idea to revamp her sidewalk presence began. From there, the mural was funded by a grant from the Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College of South Jersey, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
If you’d like to protect arts and culture funding like this, visit ArtPride New Jersey’s Action Alert here.
These art pieces remain a pivotal element in creating a welcoming space for patrons as well as acting as a beacon to assure artists and creatives that they, too, are welcome here. Community and collaboration are the key tenets of the Cultural Collective’s business plan and Sadiyyah Maamoon-Means’ worldview.
This is only the beginning for Maamoon-Means. If you’re interested in joining her community, head over to 65 North Broad Street in Woodbury, New Jersey, or start by following them on social media (BrickNKulture Instagram, Cultural Collective Cafe Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok) and work your way up to the in-person gatherings.
