Image via @theculturistunion/Instagram
Ashley “Elbi” Elm loved living and being inspired by her surroundings in Savannah, Georgia. After connecting the local creatives in her city, Elm launched The Culturist Union back in 2019 to serve as a creative hub for the city’s talent. Now, she’s taking her venture one step further by opening a coffee shop.
Elm says she originally got the idea after seeing a lack of co-working space options for Black creatives and entrepreneurs to network with each other.
“It was birthed out of the problem here in Savannah, that creators who are people of color didn’t have a place to gather, commune, or come together. I wanted to fill that void by creating a safe space for us,” Elm said in an interview with the
Difference Makers: Elm is hoping to lead the way for Savannah s growing base of Black entrepreneurs.
Savannah Morning News
Wearing pearls and chucks in support of fellow Howard University grad and Vice President Kamala Harris, Ashley Elbi Elm walked past the potential location of The Culturitst Union coffee shop geared towards Black creators and entrepreneurs.
Slated to open tentatively this summer, and hopefully on the corner of 35th and Bull Street, Elm smiled from ear to ear while construction workers worked in the background cutting pieces of wood. Savannah is ripe and ready for this, Elm said.
The Culturist Union