HOUSTON, TX – April 26, 2025 – On Saturday night in the course of the Specialty Espresso Affiliation Expo 2025, CCRE welcomed company to The First Sip!, held at Chapman & Kirby in Houston’s vibrant East Downtown. The occasion created a full of life and welcoming house for networking, inspiration, and reflection, whereas honoring those that are reshaping the espresso trade’s future.The night’s spotlight was The First Sip! Awards presentation, given to people and organizations who embody management, creativity, and repair:
2025 First Sip Honorees
Excellence in Espresso Management: BLK & Daring Specialty Drinks
Co-founders Rod Johnson and Pernell Cezar had been honored with the Excellence in Espresso Management Award for his or her exceptional influence on the trade. BLK & Daring is the primary Black-owned, nationally distributed espresso model within the U.S. Now out there in over 11,000 retail places, and thru partnerships with the NBA, Marvel, and Ben & Jerry’s, the corporate continues to set a robust instance of a purpose-driven enterprise. They donate 5% of income to help underserved youth nationwide and are additionally a licensed B Company. To be taught extra about BLK & Daring’s inspiring journey and social influence initiatives, please go to blkandbold.com.
Native Hero: Keith Hawkins, The Colour of Espresso Collective
Houston native Keith Hawkins, founding father of The Colour of Espresso Collective, has spent over 20 years advocating for variety and alternative throughout the espresso trade. His management is driving change by bringing folks collectively by way of group engagement, schooling, and partnerships. Keith helps to alter the way forward for espresso by making it extra inclusive, extra related, and extra reflective of the communities it serves. To be taught extra about his work in empowering communities, go to colorofcoffeecollective.com.
Rising Voices in Espresso: Martel Mason, Sepia Espresso Mission
Because the founding father of Sepia Espresso Mission, Martell Mason is rising as a robust voice for his group, working to construct a extra inclusive espresso tradition in Metro Detroit. By means of his efforts, he’s making specialty espresso accessible to underserved neighborhoods and uplifting new tales and views by way of espresso. For Martell, the work isn’t just about espresso. It’s about creating an area the place everybody will be seen and heard. To find how he’s shaping a extra inclusive espresso tradition, go to sepiacoffeeproject.com
The celebration additionally featured remarks from Michelle Maisto, Head of Advertising and marketing at Neumann Gruppe USA, who spoke concerning the significance of unity and continued advocacy, in addition to an inspiring announcement from CCRE’s founder, Phyllis Johnson, concerning the launch of an upcoming Management Improvement Program.
Phrases from the Founder
“The First Sip! is a celebration of imaginative and prescient, braveness, and collaboration. We collect to carry one another up, acknowledge those that are making a distinction, and encourage new prospects for our trade.”
— Phyllis Johnson, Founder and President, Espresso Coalition for Racial Fairness
The First Sip! Included tapas, cocktails, music by a stay DJ, a photograph sales space by Flashbar Picture Sales space, and occasion images by MiluPhotos, making a memorable night for all in attendance.
With Gratitude to Our Donors
CCRE is deeply grateful for the beneficiant help from our donors. This occasion was made potential by contributions from the next supporters, listed by giving tier:
Robust Black Espresso: Margaret Swallow and Neumann Gruppe USA
Espresso Couture: Starbucks
Brewing for Fairness: Espresso By Design, Deans Beans, Diligent Inexperienced, and Little Waves Espresso Roasters
Group Champions: Andi Trindle Mersch, BD Imports, Blink Motion, Espresso Emporium, Kahawa 1893, Patrick Johnson/Salesforce, RGC Espresso
About Espresso Coalition for Racial Fairness (CCRE)
Based in 2020, CCRE is dedicated to empowering Black professionals and entrepreneurs, increasing entry to schooling and mentorship, and constructing a extra inclusive espresso trade at each stage. By means of occasions, advocacy, and management packages, CCRE is fostering new pathways to alternative and recognition in espresso.
Help CCRE’s Mission
Whether or not or not you attended The First Sip, there are nonetheless alternatives to help the Espresso Coalition for Racial Fairness and its ongoing initiatives. Contributions of any quantity assist gas packages just like the upcoming Management Improvement Program and strengthen efforts to create a extra inclusive espresso trade. To make a donation, go to pledge.to/the-first-sip. To be taught extra about CCRE’s work and how one can become involved, please go to www.coffeeforequity.org.
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact media@coffeeforequity.org. For extra details about CCRE and “The First Sip,” please observe us on social media @coffeeforequity and go to our web site at www.coffeeforequity.org.
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