Black Coffee, the new event series from creative director Michelle Johnson (The Chocolate Barista) recently staged major events in New York City (October 15th) and Washington DC (October 19th) at the Classic Stage Company in lower Manhattan and The Line Hotel in Adams Morgan. Hosted by Michelle Johnson, produced by Sprudge, and featuring NYC co-hosts Tymika Lawrence (Atlas Coffee) and Ezra Baker (Oren’s Coffee Co.) and DC co-host Adam JacksonBey (The Potter’s House, Barista Guild of America Executive Council), these events centered the voices and experiences of Black coffee professionals and enthusiasts alike, all with unique perspectives that spanned intersectional identities and roles on the retail end of the value chain.
The NYC event was sponsored by La Marzocco USA, Revelato,r Coffee, Oatly, Everyman Espresso and Oren’s Coffee Co. and featured panel guests Lem Butler (Black & White Roasters), Kristina Hollie (Intelligentsia), Winston Thomas (Barista Champion of South Africa/Urnex Ambassador), and Candice Madison (Irving Farm). Extra special thanks to the team at Everyman Espresso and Classic Stage Company for helping support this event onsite, and to Oren’s Coffee Co., Discovery Wines and Make My Cake for afterparty support. (Special thanks to D’Onna Stubblefield for music, party logistics, life advice, et. al.) Live Instagram coverage and event photography was produced by Noemie Tshinaga.
The DC event was sponsored by La Marzocco USA, Oatly, Revelator Coffee, and The Line Hotel, and featured panelists including Aisha Pew (Dovecote Cafe), Candy Schibli (Southeastern Roastery), Reggie Elliott (Foreign National), Victoria Smith (The Cup We All Race 4), and Donte Gardner (Vigilante Coffee Company). Ticket sales at this event benefited Collective Action for Safe Spaces. Special thanks to everyone at The Line Hotel for their incredible support and accommodation for this event—particularly Farrah Skeiky for her exceptional coordination and consideration—and to Gran Cata and Danielle’s Desserts for supporting a delicious afterparty. (Special thanks to Callie Eberdt of Oalty for onsite support and general positivity.) Live Instagram coverage and event photography was produced by Kayla Butler.
Video of the event will premiere in the coming weeks, filmed by Lanny Huang.
Michelle Johnson
A huge thank you again to all of the sponsors—everyone at La Marzocco USA, everyone at Oatly, Cameron Heath and Joshua Owen at Revelator Coffee, Ezra Baker, D’Onna Stubblefield and the team at Oren’s Coffee Co., Sam Penix and the team at Everyman Espresso, and especially to the exceptional facility teams at Classic Stage Company (NYC) and The Line Hotel (DC). You make this work possible—thank you.
Poster by Taylor McManus
You can now listen to both episodes via podcast! Download them here and subscribe.
All images from Black Coffee NYC by Noemie Tshinaga.
All images from Black Coffee DC by Kayla Butler.
The post Black Coffee NYC & Washington DC: The Live Podcasts Are Now Available appeared first on Sprudge.