Kalki is the owner of Addis Cafe; Addis means “New” or “New Flower” in Amharic. We were introduced through a campaign to drive people to Oak Park businesses during the rough early COVID years. When I met Kalki, she glowed, speaking about her cafe. She spoke how important it was that her daughter could see her mother build a bustling business, and make a difference to her community. In Ethiopia, where Kalki was raised, owning a business would have been a much more difficult venture for a woman.
When I stopped into the cafe a few years later with a friend, I asked her to consider being a part of this series. She shyly listened to my short pitch about what we’re trying to do with Modern Rosie, that we had a vision of sharing stories of powerful women, building a mentorship program, and that I believed she’d be a great addition.
Kalki’s Modern Rosie portrait has her proudly seated in one of the most popular locations in Addis Cafe, looking towards the front door with her incredible welcoming smile. She’s surrounded by her favorite plants and art created by people of her current community on her walls. Beside her are three of her favorite books, a giraffe statue, and one of her most prized cultural pieces, a traditional black clay Jebena. This long necked pot is customarily used in a 1-2 hour social ritual called a Buna ceremony 3 times a day, symbolizing respect, friendship and community.
Kalki is proud of the business she continues to build, and is very humble about her role as an economic driver. I recommend stopping in for some of Addis’s unique menu - I am blown away by the cayenne mocha. I guarantee you will enjoy so many offerings, seeing her infectious radiant expression, and especially being part of Kalki’s powerful, friendly community.
Photographed January 2026