We serve coffee…and MUCH more!

Urban Connection’s mission statement is “Connecting the Disconnected.” Its efforts target inner-city culture that has become predominately self-focused, disconnected from the middle class, and devoid of spiritual interest.

Urban Connection began as a reaction to a need identified by Maranatha Bible Church in southeast Akron. When a group of students began attending the mostly suburban church in 2002, the church recognized the students needed mentorship and help in more ways than simply religious, so they called upon a longtime member of both the church and the urban community, Charly Murphy.

Charly created a unique partnership to launch Urban Connection Ministries. This effort has rapidly expanded to train, equip and mentor other churches, inspiring them to “adopt” whole communities to help their people escape generational poverty. These churches’ efforts are taking root in Barberton, Brimfield, and Akron’s Firestone Park. (To learn more about Urban Connections, please visit www.jesusconnections.com.)

Urban Connection Ministries is overseen by a board of directors and its Urbean Café will be led by a separate board of experienced individuals.

The Urbean Café’s management includes five coffee lovers:

Charly Murphy is the founder and Director of Urban Connection. His passion is to see life change, community imporovement and cultural tranformation beginning in Akron, Ohio.
Through Urban Connection, Charly writes cirriculum, leads volunteers, raises money and manages relationships with multiple program sites. His vision is to see the Urban Connection model multiplied throughout this city and others.
Charly studied fine art photography at the University of Akron, has a Bachelor of Science in Bible from Moody Bible, and a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty University. Charly loves camping, backpacking, cooking, gardening, glass blowing and playing with his children.
Charly is from North Akron and has made a choice to stay in his original neighborhood. His children (ages 4 and 6) will attend Akron public schools. Charly’s wife, Jennifer, is a nurse at Akron Children’s hospital and leads the preteen mentorship at Urban Connection.

Abby Romanin was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and earned her degree in Non-Profit management from Kent State University.  After graduation, Abby felt the Lord leading her to wait on Him to provide employment while she continued to waitress.  A few months (and many prayers) later, that opportunity presented itself in the form of the Urbean Café.  Always looking forward to a good cup of joe and having a God-given desire to improve the lives of those around her,  Abby is very excited to partner with Urban Connections in this new ministry.

She enjoys reading, chatting over coffee, enjoying the outdoors, random road trips, traveling just about anywhere, attending a good concert, reading a brand-new book, and sitting on the porch with friends.

Joshua Marshall was born in Akron and grew up where the heart of Urban Connection’s Ministry has been located since its existence, Akron’s Firestone Park neighborhood.  He attended the school where the Urban Connections kids’ ministry now meets throughout the week, Voris Elementary School.

Joshua considers it a blessing that he has had the opportunity to serve in the Urban Connections Ministry through high school and as he completes his education in college.  He recently graduated from Stark State College of Technology with an associate’s degee in Business Management and is currently continuing his education at Kent State Stark, where he plans to earn his bachelor’s degree.

He says the Urbean Cafe Ministry goes “hand-in-hand” with his interests and desires. Joshua enjoys the  opportunity to learn about business first-hand and to experience the relations made each day.

Alicia “Allie” Kennedy grew up in different parts of Akron, Cuyahoga Falls and Stow. As an adult, she settled in Akron’s North Hill, where she now resides with her husband of six years and two high-spirited children, Alex, 6, and Andrea, 4.

Allie started working at age 13 at her high school to pay tuition. There, she learned the value of hard work and the importance of being generous with time and abilities. She has held many food service jobs and has always considered working in a café as her favorite. That is partly because of her love for coffee, but she also values the opportunity to brighten people’s day with a smile or a compliment and being able to send them on their way hoping that they spread the kindness to others.

Allie is thrilled to be able to lend her skills as a barista and supervisor to this ambitious and significant project. She looks forward to training and making a difference in the lives of the employees and customers one cup at a time!

Matt McLouth worked during the past 10 years with non-profit organizations supporting youth and families. Matt has worked and lived in cities big and small, and has an intense love for Akron, Ohio.  He loves people, coffee and especially bringing the two together.  He looks forward to providing Urbean Café visitors a great atmosphere, a warm smile and the best coffee!

Matt lives in Hartville with his wife, Jess, and 2-year-old son, Liam.