Brewing for Equity Fellowship Launches with Kickoff and Atlanta Workshop
2025-2026 Brewing for Equity Fellows (standing), CCRE Volunteers/Speakers and Staff (seated)
Atlanta, GA – October 2025 – The Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE) announces the successful launch of the Brewing for Equity Fellowship (BFE Fellowship), a 10-month immersive program designed to elevate and empower Black and Brown professionals in the coffee industry.
October 2025 also marks the 5th Anniversary of CCRE. Since its founding in 2020, CCRE has been committed to building racial equity and expanding opportunities in the coffee industry. The launch of the Fellowship reflects a major milestone in that journey, connecting the organization’s first five years of advocacy to the development of future leaders.
The Fellowship began this summer with a virtual orientation, followed by an energizing Program Kickoff that set the foundation for a year of growth, collaboration, and leadership. In late September, the Fellows gathered in Atlanta for the first in-person workshop, Grounded in Self, which provided space for reflection, leadership learning, and community building.
Workshop Highlights
Fellows engaged in sessions led by respected leaders and innovators in coffee:
Phyllis Johnson (Founder, CCRE and BD Imports) – The Inner Work of Adaptive Leadership
Matt Daks (CCRE Director) – Build and Sustain a Long-term Career in Coffee
Muna Mohammed (Founder, Eight50 Coffee and CCRE Director) – The Future of Coffee Through Innovation
Dr. Tiffany Johnson James (Associate Professor, Fellow) – Grind Culture
2025–2026 Fellows
This year’s Fellows bring diverse experiences, entrepreneurial vision, and a shared commitment to equity in the coffee industry. They include:
Alberto Maturino – Owner, BIG-DAWG CoffeeWorks (Wichita, KS)
Emary Greene – Owner, Junebug Coffee; Production Roaster & Barista Training Manager, Sightseer Coffee (Austin, TX)
Martell Mason – CEO & Head Roaster, Sepia Coffee (Detroit, MI)
Shanita Nicholas – Co-Founder, Sip & Sonder & Sonder Impact (Inglewood, CA)
Dr. Tiffany Johnson James – Associate Professor & Coffee Researcher (Atlanta, GA)
Together, these Fellows represent the next generation of leadership, innovation, and equity in the coffee industry.
Fellowship Design
The Brewing for Equity Fellowship runs from July 2025 to April 2026, supporting Fellows through:
Monthly sessions (virtual and in-person) with guest speakers, peer collaboration, and leadership case studies.
Capstone project, developed throughout the program and presented at its conclusion.
One-week industry immersion at a coffee company, offering hands-on leadership experience.
An optional trip to Ethiopia for the 2026 AFCA Conference, connecting Fellows to the global coffee community.
Program conclusion at The First Sip! event during the 2026 World of Coffee weekend in San Diego, CA
Building Community
Beyond sessions, the Atlanta workshop fostered fellowship through shared meals, peer conversations, and cultural connection. Foto-Therapy Photography documented the event and provided professional headshots for Fellows, ensuring they are represented with the same level of excellence the program seeks to nurture.
Looking Ahead
By May 2026, Fellows will present their capstone projects and establish the program’s alumni network, creating a foundation for future cohorts and contributing to a stronger, more equitable coffee industry.
Reflecting on this milestone, Phyllis Johnson, Founder of CCRE, shared:
"This Fellowship is about doing the hard work of leadership in an industry that hasn’t always seen us. That is not easy work, but when you see progress, when you see people take flight, that is where the joy and hope live. This first group is setting the tone and building the community that will carry this work forward."
MEDIA ASSETS
Additional media related to the Brewing for Equity Fellowship is available here: [Media Assets].
About Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity
Founded in 2020, CCRE is committed to empowering Black and Brown professionals and entrepreneurs, expanding access to education and mentorship, and building a more inclusive coffee industry at every level. Through events, advocacy, and leadership programs, CCRE is fostering new pathways to opportunity and recognition in coffee.
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact media@coffeeforequity.org.
For more information about CCRE and the Brewing for Equity Fellowship, please follow us on social media @coffeeforequity and visit our website at www.coffeeforequity.org.
###