– On Saturday evening during the Specialist Coffee Association 2025, Ccre I welcomed guests at the first SIP!, Taking place in Chapman & Kirby in the lively Houston East Downtown. The event created a living and warm space for creating networks, inspiration and reflection, while honoring those who transform the future of the coffee industry. The most critical in the evening was the first sip! Presentation of prizes, awarded to people and organizations that embodiment leadership, creativity and service:
2025 First Sip Honorees
Perfection in coffee leadership: Blk & Bold Special Noveres
Co -founders of ROD Johnson and Pernell Caesar were honored with the Excellence in Coffee Leadership award for their extraordinary impact on the industry. BLK & Bold is the first black, widespread in the country, the US brand currently available in over 11,000 retail locations, and thanks to partnerships with NBA, Marvel and Ben & Jerry’s the company still gives a powerful example of a company based on the goal. They transfer 5% of profits to the support of underestimated newborn people throughout the country, and are also a certified corporation B. To learn more about the inspirational initiatives BLK & Bold, visit Blkandbold.com.
Local hero: Keith Hawkins, the color of the coffee collective
Keith Hawkins, the founder of Color of Coffee Collective, from Houston, spent over two decades in favor of diversity and possibilities in the coffee industry. His leadership drives changes by connecting people by involving the community, education and partnerships. Keith helps change the future of coffee, making it more integrative, more related and more reflecting the communities it supports. To learn more about his work in the field of community strengthening, visit Colorofcofoffeecollective.com.
Appearing in coffee: Martel Mason, Sepia Coffee Project
As the founder of the Sepia Coffee Project, Martell Mason appears as a powerful voice for its community, working on building a more integration coffee culture in Metro Detroit. Thanks to his efforts, he provides special coffee for underestimated districts and raising fresh stories and perspectives through coffee. For Martell, the work is not just about coffee. It is about creating a space where everyone can be apparent and heard. To discover how it shapes a more integration coffee culture, visit sepiacoffeeproject.com
The celebration also contained the comments of Michelle Maisto, the head of marketing at Neumann Grupe USA, who talked about the importance of unity and further spokesman, as well as the inspirational announcement of the founder of CCRE, Phyllis Johnson, about the launch of the upcoming leadership development program.
The words of the founder
“The first sip! It is a feast of vision, courage and cooperation. We gather to get up, recognize those who make a difference and inspire fresh opportunities for our industry.”
– Phyllis Johnson, founder and president, Coalition Coalition for Rasial Equity
First sip! Tapas, cocktails, live DJ music, Flashbar Booth photographic cabin and photograph of the event through Miluphotos, creating an unforgettable evening for everyone present.
Gratitude to our donors
CCRE is deeply grateful for the generous support of our donors. This event was possible thanks to the insertion of the following fans, listed by giving:
Powerful black coffee: Margaret Swallow and Neumann Group USA
Coffee Couture: Starbucks
Brewing for Equity: Coffee by design, Deans Bean, careful green and miniature waves of coffee
Community masters: Andi Trindle Mersch, BD Imports, Blink Action, Coffee Emporium, Kahawa 1893, Patrick Johnson/Salesforce, RGC Coffee
About the coalition of coffee for racial capital (CCRE)
Established in 2020, CCRE is involved in strengthening the position of black professionals and entrepreneurs, increasing access to education and mentoring and building a more integration coffee industry at every level. Thanks to the programs of events, sparkle and leadership, CCRE supports fresh paths and coffee recognition.
Support the CCRE mission
Regardless of whether you participated in the first SIP, there are still possibilities to support the coalition of coffee for racial capital and its ongoing initiatives. The contribution of any amount of support in fuel programs, such as the upcoming leadership development program and strengthen efforts to create a more integration coffee industry. To convey a donation, visit commitment.to/therest-sip. To learn more about CCRE work and how you can get involved, visit www.coffeephorequity.org.
In the case of media inquiries or requests for an interview, please contact media@coffeephorequity.org. For more information about CCRE and “The First SIP”, follow us in social media @coffeeForequity and visit our website at the address www.coffeephorequity.org.
