U R Welcome: David Alexander Jenkins

“U R Welcome” is the brainchild of Reuben “Big Rube” Harley. It’s a series of interviews with black influencers and tastemakers in Philadelphia discussing race, community and how Philly can be a place where everyone is welcome. When Rube came to Saxbys with the idea, we jumped at the chance to work with him to tell these stories.

David Alexander Jenkins is all about philanthropy. Between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve you can find him walking the streets of Philadelphia giving out cards and gifts homeless people through his charity Merry Christmas from Anonymous. It’s just one of a number of causes that he works with in his quest to make life better for those less fortunate.

David sat down with Rube to talk about inclusion, welcoming and community.

What does inclusivity mean to you?

The idea is that wherever you are, whoever you are, you are human. You are valuable. You are meaningful. The patron is treated as a respectable member of the world and not made to feel belittled, small or insignificant. If we approached everyone like a blind man, we’d be in a much better place in the world.

What does U R Welcome mean to you?

We would like you to come. We are looking to have you come sit with us. We want you to make this your out-of-home office. We are looking to make this room into a community.


How does Saxbys fit into your lifestyle?

As a person living on Rittenhouse Square it’s easy to grab a Saxbys and be on my way to the train station. It doesn’t have the corporate branding that other coffee companies have. It hasn’t become a peice of fashion — it’s coffee. Good, local coffee.

What’s your go-to Saxbys order?

It tends to be coffee. It provides the jolt that I need. I also love the breakfast sandwich. I tend to get one almost every time I visit a Saxbys cafe.