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Changing the Face of Specialty Coffee Since 2016
Hi! My name is Michelle R. Johnson, and I'm The Chocolate Barista.
In June 2016, I posted an open account of my experience as a Black woman in the specialty coffee industry. Little did I know that my words would change the face of a global industry from that point forward.
Eight years and many professional firsts since (including being the first Black woman to compete at the US Barista Championship), my words are being put into action as the CEO and Founder of Ghost Town Oats.
Creating an inclusive coffee culture is a major benefit involving the entire value chain; from the farmers seeking security for their often thankless efforts to the baristas impassioned about what many view as trivial. If nothing else, making room in coffee for diversity to thrive has allotted me the freedom to embrace my approach to this daily ritual and be myself unapologetically — a truth we all deserve to live in.