we are coffee
our vision
A dynamic coffee industry that achieves racial equity through the participation of a diverse group of professionals at all levels in all types of organizations.
our mission
Our mission is to empower Black and brown AMERICAN entrepreneurs and professionals in the coffee industry by using a holistic approach to dismantle barriers to entry, ensure access to education, mentorship, and resources, and foster equity, respect, and belonging while honoring the legacy of Black contributions to coffee.
AN OPEN LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER
TO THE US COFFEE INDUSTRY
CCRE was founded in July 2020, sparked by Phyllis Johnson’s Open Letter to US coffee professionals as a call to confront
inequity and build a more inclusive industry. Since then, we’ve turned vision into action through programs, partnerships, and opportunities that expand access and amplify diverse voices.
In 2026, Phyllis issues a follow-up Open Letter, reflecting on progress, ongoing challenges, and the urgent need for continued engagement to shape a sustainable, equitable coffee industry.
OUR BOARD
Phyllis Johnson
CCRE Founder and Board Chair
BD Imports, USA
Co-founder and president of BD Imports, an award-winning social enterprise focused on responsible sourcing of specialty coffees.
Jarrhod ‘Rod’ Johnson
CCRE Vice Chair
Co-Founder & Chief Values
Officer, BLK & Bold
BLK & Bold, the specialty coffee and tea company that prioritizes domestic social impact. Founded in 2018, Blk & Bold has quickly become the first Black owned nationally distributed coffee company.
Areli Barrera Grodski
CCRE Recording Secretary
Little Waves of Coffee Roasters, USA
Co-owner of Little Waves Coffee Roasters and Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham, NC. Areli and her husband, Leon, started Cocoa Cinnamon from a bike to a three-location coffee shop and now a roastery. Areli oversees the roastery where she prides herself in being part of a predominantly women and non-binary team.
MATTHEW DAKS
STONEX SPECIALTY COFFEE, USA
Senior Vice President for StoneX Specialty Coffee. Matt’s coffee journey has taken him around the world, including a tenure in East Africa as the Regional Quality Manager for TechnoServe’s East African Coffee Initiative.
Mbula Musau
Utake Coffee, Kenya
Founder and Director of Utake Coffee Limited, the first certified SCA Premier Teaching Campus in Africa. She is the resident Q instructor and Approved SCA Trainer (AST). Mbula also currently serves as a Board director of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and has been a Coffee Corps Volunteer for over a decade. She spearheaded the formation of the International Women in Coffee Alliance (IWCA) chapters in Africa, where she serves as a Chapter Mentor and facilitator.
Muna Mohammed
Founder Eight50 Coffee
Muna’s professional background consists of working in Senior Marketing and Branding roles for the last 15 years in various industries, including the public and private sector as well as with small business enterprises and entrepreneurs.
