When we launched Black Coffee Company in February 2018, we had no idea the incredible journey that lay ahead. Rooted in a celebration of Black History Month, our story began with a simple yet powerful product: a ceramic coffee mug laser-engraved with the word "woke" - a statement piece that resonated deeply with our family, friends, and alumni from Washington Prep and Xavier University of Louisiana.
As a family-run and operated business, we've always been committed to more than just serving exceptional coffee. We've built our brand on deep ties to HBCU culture, celebrating the legacy of Black entrepreneurship and community empowerment. Our roots run deep, and our mission extends far beyond a simple business venture.
Our first live event was an exclusive fashion show in the West Hollywood Hills, hosted by Nichole Lynel. It was here that we first served hot coffee, and the crowd's reaction told us we had something special. We weren't just selling coffee; we were creating an experience that could touch multiple industries and communities.
From that moment, we became the "pop-up kings." We set up wherever we could - farmers markets, festivals, concerts, community events, and college homecomings. Our goal was simple: connect with people, share our passion, and drive traffic to our website and social media platforms.
The pandemic in 2020 could have been a setback, but for us, it became an opportunity. While most of the country shut down, Atlanta, Georgia remained a beacon of possibility. A pivotal moment came when we were invited to pop up at the Swag Shop Barbershop in Edgewood, owned by the legendary Killer Mike. This connection led us to an incredible opportunity in Lakewood Heights, where we partnered with the Ali family to establish our first permanent location.
Five years later, our growth has been nothing short of extraordinary, especially our Atlanta team led by Ayron Butler, our Chief Operating Officer. We've opened our second coffee shop on the historic Morehouse College campus and built a mobile catering business that has served incredible clients like Delta Airlines, American Express, REVOLT, NSBE, Ron Clark Academy, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
Our mobile catering team has experienced tremendous growth, particularly in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area. Led by our CFO, Dr. Leonard Lightfoot, we've forged exciting partnerships with Bañuz and Art. We're thrilled to announce plans to open our own roasting facility in the coming year, marking another exciting milestone in our journey.
At the beginning of 2024, we completed our sixth crowd funding round, bringing in over $135,000 thanks to some very committed and dedicated investors. A special thanks to John Hope Bryant, CEO & Founder of Operation HOPE, for his support and belief in our mission.
We're proud to share that we are now a NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council) certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), a testament to our commitment to excellence and our dedication to Black entrepreneurship.
As we look towards 2025, we're more excited than ever. The team members who have joined us in the past year have brought an incredible energy and commitment to our core mission of entrepreneurship, financial freedom, and community empowerment. We're also thrilled to announce that our Houston, TX team is ready to begin their mobile catering services, further expanding our footprint and bringing the Black Coffee Company experience to new communities.
We are excited to announce that we have received official IRS approval for Black Coffee C.E.E.D our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This milestone allows us to further our mission of community empowerment through education, entrepreneurship, and economic development. We are now accepting donations to support our initiatives, helping to create pathways for future Black entrepreneurs and providing resources to underserved communities. Visit our website at [blackcoffeeceed.org](https://www.blackcoffeeceed.org/projects-7) to learn more about our non-profit work and how you can contribute.
From a single "woke" mug to multiple locations and national clients, our journey proves that with passion, community, and determination, anything is possible.
Stay caffeinated, stay empowered.
- Jamin P. Butler (CEO)
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