— Coffee Coalition for Racial Equality (CCRE) hosted The First Sip! 2026, which will take place on April 10 in San Diego, California, and will bring together coffee professionals, entrepreneurs and advocates for an intimate gathering focused on equity, community and connection within the global coffee industry.
The event, held in conjunction with World of Coffee 2026, took place at The Mental Bar in San Diego’s Black Arts & Culture District. The setting reinforced the event’s focus on culture and community, providing participants with a space to engage outside the structure of the conference environment.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Innovator Award to LaNisa Williams, a coffee specialist, trainer and entrepreneur committed to advancing coffee culture through education, innovation and community impact. As the founder of Barista Life LA, Williams has built a platform focused on developing skilled baristas and creating meaningful pathways into the specialty coffee industry.
During the program, Phyllis Johnson, founder and president of CCRE, reflected on shared experiences across the industry, noting, “When I look and see many of you, I know that we are all struggling… we are all in this together, and the way we get through this is by moving forward together.”
There were also many awards during the event CCRE Brewing for Equity Fellowship – First introduced in April 2025 and launched in July 2025.
A full summary of the event is available on the website www.coffeeforquity.org/press/
About the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equality
Founded in 2020, CCRE strives to empower Black and Brown professionals and entrepreneurs, expand access to education and mentorship, and build a more inclusive coffee industry at every level. Through events, support and leadership programs, CCRE promotes modern pathways that open opportunities and recognition in coffee.
