<table> </table> The flashing lights of a Kansas City, Kan., police car slashed the night air, and its sirens ripped the calm as it sped west on Quindaro Boulevard.</p><p>The too-frequent urban street scene conflicted with the calm, thoughtful gathering just inside the wine-colored blinds on the picture windows of the one-story Q Brew Coffee Shop.</p><p>Such energetic, multigenerational crowds became attracted to the coffee shop when it opened about year ago.</p><p>The Q Brew menu has nothing stronger than coffees, teas, espressos and lattes with pastries and deli sandwiches. But it also provides this long-neglected community with a special blend of events and opportunities for people to hear music and play such games as checkers and dominoes.</p><p>The shock of a coffee shop opening in an area dominated by vacant lots and boarded-up buildings has worn off, said Andrew Ammons, owner of the Q Brew. People now are attracted to the drinks, fellowship and the community atmosphere.</p><p>A sign over the coffee bar says &#8220;Cherish the Dream.&#8221; It fits the area, which has a rich history. The town of Quindaro near the Missouri River had been on the Underground Railroad for slaves escaping from Missouri and other states. Businesses like The Q Brew also have the potential to lead the way for this community&#8217;s long-sought revitalization.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m just excited that the mix is starting to fall together,&#8221; said Richard Mabion, a community organizer in Kansas City, Kan.</p><p>Since it opened, the Q Brew at 1744 Quindaro Blvd. has been the site of an art show featuring the work of Robert J. Reed Sr. and an exhibit that Chester C. Owens Jr. presented on Sumner High School. People enjoyed the photographs, newspaper clips and other artifacts. Owens, a graduate of the Class of 1949 at Sumner, also showed the crowd a video telling how the then-segregated school turned out some of the nation&#8217;s top scholars and industry leaders.</p><p>Owens said Sumner High was one of the 10 best public schools in the nation because of its faculty, family and community support, and the students&#8217; muscular academic workouts. Teachers insisted that all students would succeed. That fire for learning has to be reignited, and community places like The Q Brew can provide the eternal flame.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s just fantastic,&#8221; Owens said of the possibilities. &#8220;We can inform residents of this area about their heritage and the rich history of Wyandotte County.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s the most positive thing now happening particularly in the northeast area of Wyandotte County. We hope people will support it and help it go.&#8221;</p><p>Marilyn White, a community worker, agreed as she ordered a caffeinated drink.</p><p>&#8220;This is the best thing that&#8217;s happened in the urban core since ice tea. I just love it,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Mabion knows of the crowd appeal of First Friday in Kansas City. People are drawn to restaurants, bars and art exhibits.</p><p>He said Kansas City, Kan., has its Second Friday Art Walk, centered around downtown Kansas City, Kan.</p><p>Mabion wants something similar on Quindaro Boulevard to take root so more shops and businesses will open, exhibiting the art and other wares of African Americans.</p><p>He envisions a multicultural, multigenerational crowd. People spending dollars in the area would help to revive the community.</p><p>&#8220;We are trying to put some pride back on Quindaro Boulevard,&#8221; Mabion said. &#8220;I am trying to empower the people.&#8221;</p><p>There is enough talent in the community to ignite the flame of commerce. The Q Brew can serve as a catalyst.</p><p>Time, money and the will of the people must follow. But the potential for a great future is there.