CCRE The First Sip! 2026: Coffee, Community, and Recognition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The First Sip! 2026 Convenes Coffee Industry Leaders in San Diego to Highlight Equity and Community
CCRE founder/President, Phyllis Johnson, Innovator's Award Recipient, LaNisa Williams, and Matt Daks, CCRE Director. Photo credit: Michael Taylor
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — April 13, 2026 — The Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE) hosted The First Sip! 2026 on April 10 in San Diego, California, bringing together coffee professionals, entrepreneurs, and advocates for an intimate gathering centered on equity, community, and connection within the global coffee industry.
Held in conjunction with World of Coffee 2026, the event took place at The Mental Bar in the San Diego Black Arts & Culture District. The setting reinforced the event’s focus on culture and community, providing a space for attendees to engage beyond the structure of the conference environment.
The First Sip! is designed as an intentional gathering, offering a space for professionals across the coffee value chain to connect in a more direct and meaningful way. It brought together both established leaders and those building within the industry.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Innovator's Award to LaNisa Williams, a coffee professional, trainer, and entrepreneur dedicated 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, CCRE founder and President, reflected on the shared experience across the industry, noting, “As I look out and see many of you, I know we all struggle… we’re all in this together, and the way we get through it is by moving forward together.”
The event also included recognition of its Brewing for Equity Fellowship, a program first introduced during The First Sip! in April 2025 and launched in July of 2025. The inaugural cohort of Fellows, Alberto Maturino, Martell Mason, Shanita Nicholas, Dr. Tiffany Johnson James, and Emary Greene, represents a range of leadership and experience across the coffee industry.
The First Sip! continues to serve as a core CCRE gathering, creating space for connection while reinforcing the organization’s broader mission to advance equity and representation across the industry. CCRE plans to build on the momentum of this year’s event through continued programming and collaboration, and welcomes engagement from partners, sponsors, and supporters aligned with its mission.
View the photo gallery. Photos: Michael Taylor
About Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE)
Founded in 2020, CCRE is committed to empowering Black 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.
Support CCRE’s Mission
CCRE welcomes support from partners, sponsors, and donors who believe in a more equitable coffee industry. To make a donation, visit pledge.to/ccre-sponsorship. To get involved or learn more, visit www.coffeeforequity.org.
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Media Contact:
Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity
media@coffeeforequity.org
www.coffeeforequity.org