Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity

Name

Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity

Legal name

Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity

Website

https://coffeeforequity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CCRE relies on donations from individuals and corporate sponsors. Educational webinars and round-tables are offered free of charge, funded by charitable contributions.
2. Merchandise Sales: CCRE operates an e-commerce shop selling branded merchandise including mugs, t-shirts, hoodies, bags, and tote bags. All profit goes directly to support CCRE's racial equity mission in the coffee industry.
3. Book Sales: Sale of 'The Triumph, Black Brazilians in Coffee' written by founder Phyllis Johnson. Proceeds are split between the farmers featured in the book and CCRE.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CCRE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances racial equity in the coffee industry through a portfolio of free programs including the 10-month Brewing for Equity Fellowship, annual First Sip! awards event, educational webinars and roundtables, and the Brewing for Equity podcast. The organization also funds its mission through sales of branded merchandise and the founder's book 'The Triumph', with all profits supporting racial equity programs in the coffee industry.

Product overview

Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating as a unified advocacy and empowerment platform rather than a software product. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including the Brewing for Equity Fellowship (a 10-month leadership pipeline), The First Sip! annual awards event, educational webinars and roundtables, the Brewing for Equity podcast, and the CCRE Literature Review 2022. CCRE also operates a merchandise store selling branded items (mugs, apparel, bags) and publishes 'The Triumph' book about Black Brazilians in coffee. All offerings support the organization's mission of advancing racial equity in the coffee industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brewing for Equity Fellowship (BFE Fellowship) A 10-month immersive leadership program designed to elevate and empower Black and Brown professionals in the coffee industry through monthly virtual sessions, in-person workshops, industry immersion, and global exposure via AFCA conference attendance. Targets US-based emerging leaders from underrepresented communities.
• The First Sip! Awards Event Annual awards event recognizing diverse coffee professionals and entrepreneurs, featuring networking opportunities for over 100 coffee professionals each year to connect with industry leaders.
• Educational Webinars and Roundtables Free educational webinars and round-table discussions on race and equity in the coffee industry, featuring guest speakers and industry leaders discussing topics from coffee history to career development.
• Brewing for Equity Podcast Podcast exploring coffee culture illuminated by Black voices, featuring discussions on racial equity, representation, and sustainability in the coffee industry across six episodes. Available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and YouTube Music.
• CCRE Merchandise Store Online store selling branded merchandise including mugs, t-shirts, bags, and hoodies to support CCRE's mission. All profits go directly to CCRE programs.
• The Triumph (Book) Book by CCRE founder Phyllis Johnson highlighting Black Brazilians finding pathways into the global specialty coffee market, with proceeds split between farmers and CCRE. Available in soft cover ($24.50) and digital PDF ($13.97) formats.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ coffee professionals connected annually at The First Sip! awards event
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2020First major partnership launched in June 2020. NKG partnership created a program to engage the Black community and promote diversity in the more powerful sectors of the coffee supply chain. Features CEO David M. Neumann and CCRE founder Phyllis Johnson. Also includes NKG(PACE) program for employment advancement.
• African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCRE has partnership with AFCA for the 2026 African Fine Coffees Conference in Ethiopia. Brewing for Equity Fellows will participate in panel discussion 'Understanding the Next Generation of Coffee Leaders' and attend the conference. CCRE attended AFCA's 21st conference in Tanzania (Feb 2025).
• Gloucester InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric site of CCRE strategic planning retreat where strategic planning took place with Areli Barrera Grodski and LaDora Carter.
• Dirt CoffeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured in Brewing for Equity podcast Episode 5. Dirt Coffee creates inclusive employment for neurodivergent individuals. Executive Director Catharina Hughey was interviewed about innovative practices.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA): Regional coffee association organizing the African Fine Coffees Conference. CCRE is a strategic partner for AFCA's 2026 Ethiopia conference, providing a comparable platform for equity and inclusion across the African coffee value chain.
• International Women in Coffee Alliance (IWCA): Global nonprofit network advocating for gender equity across the coffee value chain, with chapters in Africa and elsewhere. Comparable advocacy model and supply-chain equity focus to CCRE.
• BLK & Bold: Specialty coffee and tea company founded by CCRE Vice Chair Jarrhod 'Rod' Johnson, the first Black-owned nationally distributed coffee company. Direct peer in advancing Black representation and economic opportunity within the coffee industry.
• Utake Coffee Limited: The first certified SCA Premier Teaching Campus in Africa, founded by CCRE board member Mbula Musau. Operates as a coffee training and education organization with a parallel mission of African leadership in coffee.
• BD Imports: Social enterprise focused on responsible sourcing of specialty coffees, founded by CCRE founder Phyllis Johnson. Operates in the coffee supply chain with a racial equity lens, closely aligned with CCRE's mission.

Emerging players

• Utake Coffee / Grounds for Change: Organic coffee roaster with a long-standing commitment to fair trade and social justice, including LGBTQ+ equity. Comparable to CCRE in leveraging coffee as a vehicle for social equity advocacy.
• TechnoServe: International nonprofit that works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. CCRE Director Matt Daks previously led TechnoServe's East African Coffee Initiative, making it a natural peer in coffee value chain development.

Broad incumbents

• Rainforest Alliance: Global sustainability certification organization that addresses social, environmental, and economic issues in coffee. Comparable in its role as a third-party advocate for equity and sustainability in coffee supply chains.
• Fair Trade USA: Major certification and advocacy organization focused on equitable supply chains and producer welfare. Operates adjacent to CCRE's mission of equity across the coffee value chain.
• Specialty Coffee Association (SCA): Industry trade association that sets standards and hosts major events like World of Coffee. CCRE board member Mbula Musau is an SCA Board Director, making SCA a key institutional collaborator and broad incumbent in CCRE's ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/coffeeforequity
• Facebookfacebook.com/coffeeforequity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coffeeforequity
• Instagraminstagram.com/coffeeforequity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity