Mental Bar to Partner with Blue Heart Foundation to Uplift Young Black Men to STEM Programs

Good news: The Mental Bar, a veteran-owned, black-owned, woman-owned, family-owned coffee shop and third space located in the heart of Encanto Village has partnered with the Blue Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting underserved African American male youth in San Diego County.

Through this collaboration, The Mental Bar will offer a selection of its tea products at the Birch Aquarium’s gift shop. With each purchase, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to support the Blue Heart Foundation’s vital programs, which aim to promote higher education and encourage young Black men topursuee STEM disciplines at institutions like UCSD.

“As a Black-owned business situated in the heart of the Black Arts and Culture District, we understand the importance of uplifting our youth,” said Tommy Walker, owner of The Mental Bar. “Partnering with the Bue Heart Foundation allows us to contribute to a cause that is close to our hearts. It’s essential to provide young Black men with the support and opportunities they need to succeed in higher education and STEM fields, and we’re excited to support the next generation of Black leaders in STEM and every way we can. Make sure to stop by the Birch Aquarium to purchase our tea products!”

Founded in 2013, the Blue Heart Foundation has made its mission to support underserved African American male youth ages 13-18 in the greater San Diego County community. Through a holistic mentoring program that includes both adult and peer mentors, the foundation fosters positive interactions, education, empowerment, and emotional well-being. Recognizing the importance of STEM education, the foundation provides opportunities for students to develop skills that will benefit their communities and future careers. Committed to building an equitable path to higher education, emotional health, and character development, the Blue Heart Foundation has a 100% college acceptance rate for its participants.

To support the Blue Heart Foundation, The Mental Bar will offer a selection of their popular tea in cans, including Mentalitea and Blue Dream, at the Birch Aquarium’s gift shop. A portion of the proceeds from each purchase will be donated to the foundation, helping to introduce African American youth to the diverse programs it offers and opening doors to new opportunities.