Nefer Book Cafe: A Bronx Neighborhood Haven for Books, Coffee, and Connection

Christina Lilavois

Earlier this year, Lonna “Pumpkin” Dawson opened Nefer, a book café in uptown Bronx whose purpose goes deeper than lattes and novels. Built from Dawson’s desire to escape corporate culture, Nefer aims to offer “safety of thought,” inviting locals into a space that is rooted in curiosity and conversation.

When Dawson created Nefer, she wasn’t aiming to create just another coffee shop. After feeling out of place in corporate culture, Dawson set out to build a space based on gentleness, curiosity, and what she, in an interview, called “safety of thought.” That ethos shapes the books she selects, the programming she hosts, and the environment which has drawn the locals in.

“Part of the ethos of the shop is that we create a space to help people heal from the damage of grind culture and social divisions,” Dawson said.

Nefer is a place where books, coffee, and connection could exist without the grind culture pressure. The space serves as a tranquil haven for many people in the community where they can enjoy coffee and small bites while reading books of various perspectives and ideas. Customers form personal connections and memories at Nefer. Dawson mentioned an aunt and niece who regularly comes in the mornings with their breakfast and spend time together. The aunt told the book cafe owner, “What you created here was safety.” That moment was significant for Dawson.

Born From Rejection

The creation of Nefer came to be after Dawson had been constantly experiencing corporate rejection and being told that she “didn’t fit in with the culture.”

“That felt really inhumane to me, I was tired of being subjected to people who had the kind of power to fire me, hire me. It was important for me to be self-governed and start a business according to my ethos of doing no harm, not instigating suffering for myself and others.”

The idea of Nefer was inspired by an experience Dawson had as a journalist. Dawson covered an investigative story on the Texas Department of Corrections where the TDOC would burn banned books that people sent to incarcerated people instead of returning them to the sender. “When I uncovered that they burned books instead of returning them, I initially wanted to open a bookstore that was filled with nothing but banned books,” she said.

Dawson started her investigation; she tried to reach out to different people but she received doubt and disapproval from her higher ups who ultimately denied her story proposal. “The seed was planted but I got so furious that I had to ask someone to do good. I don’t want to do anything where I have to be at the discretion of someone else.”

A Name Rooted in Meaning

The book cafe’s name, Nefer, is as intentional as everything else in the space. The term, which appears in names like Nefertiti, is a Kemetic word meaning “good,” “beautiful,” or “pleasant. The word also means zero. Dawson took a liking to the idea that something could be beautiful and pleasant but also nothing at the same time. Moreover, the name holds a more personal meaning for the book cafe owner. Nefer was also the nickname of Dawson’s seventh-grade English teacher, Mrs. Sharron Anderson, a “transformative teacher” according to Dawson, who has a photo of the teacher in Nefer’s bookshelf.

Books That Heal, Not Harm

The book cafe carries a full range of story genres, but each book offers a new perspective and “a chance to see things differently” Dawson says. She chooses books that do not uphold harmful, negative beliefs about grind culture or social divisions. “Grind culture is the obtaining more, the doing more, the no rest, the ‘sleep when you’re dead’ mindset,” she explained. “Social division are all of the ‘isms.”

Programming That Inspires Curiosity

Nefer’s programming and events reflect and uphold the business’s ethos and values. Nefer hosted a 6-week college level hieroglyphics course, taught by Professor Edward Landry from Westchester Community College, who curiously entered the café after recognizing the name “Nefer” from his work. Nefer also held a comic book making workshop, taught by Newton Lilavois, with the goal of helping those who think their dreams have passed, realize it is still possible. Other events include Silent Book Club, Horror Book Club, sonic ritual vibration DJ sets, Friendsgiving, and more.

“The facilitator being a steward of people: carefulness to how you talk, how you engage, your ability to make room for curiosity,” said Dawson.

By combining books, coffee, and group learning/activities, Nefer is more than a book cafe, it’s a space for discovery, reflection, and growth.

A Space That Grows With Its People

Dawson expected it would take around a full year to build traction and a regular presence of people, but it did not take as long for that to happen. Locals were drawn to the spot soon after its opening, eager for a place of conversation, reading, rest, and drinks. Dawson stated that she left “room within myself to expand my capacity” so when customers approach her with different suggestions, she was able to respond quickly. “We should take a trip to the African-American museum in D.C,” one customer suggested. “We should have a book club,” another said. Dawson makes room for these ideas.

“I’ve changed in that my capacity has increased. Not for doing, but my capacity for being.” Dawson said.

Looking Ahead

For the future of Nefer, Dawson discussed hopes to develop a social club and a travel group to “the places in books that anchor us,” she says. Dawson also shared that she hopes to become a publishing house in the future.

When asked how she wants people to remember Nefer, Dawson responded, “It existed.” For many Bronx locals finding comfort in books, coffee, and conversation, Nefer’s existence itself is more than enough.

“Yes, it’s a coffee shop. Yes, it’s a bookstore, but I think we are creating safety of thought, safety of presence, safety in conversation.”