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C

PACE partners Porttia
Portis, Jayy Terrell and
Charles Umeano at the
Neumann Kaffee Gruppe
office in Hoboken, NJ,
along with Phyllis
Johnson, NKG staff and
NKG CEO David Neumann

Following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Phyllis saw a in quality control laboratories to learn about coffee and to
shift in the way people were talking about race in America. In understand where they are after three months of participat-
a way, this event allowed people to have more open conversa- ing in the program. They now see coffee totally differently.
tions about race. Is it not sad that it took such a horrific event They see it as an industry with endless opportunities. The
for us to start having these conversations? But history often idea of moving people from this space where there is no real
works in strange ways, and perhaps this tragedy will be a turn- growth, to look at coffee from a different angle, has opened
ing point in the way we talk about race. CCRE is certainly up their eyes.”
doing its part to further these conversations. The organization For a long time, African-Americans were not visible in
provides educational resources on its website, including a series the coffee industry, except in lower level service and retail
of articles discussing the role that race has played in the coffee positions. The NKG PACE program is one avenue to help address
industry. The articles are written by a variety of experts, in- that. By engaging them in the industry, they can understand
cluding Phyllis herself. coffee on a deeper level, from production to quality control,
Additionally, this year marks CCRE’s first corporate and eventually become leaders in the field. This also translates
partnership with the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) PACE to a fresher perspective and knowledge base that can be applied
Program. Through this paid, one-year program, three NKG US to the industry as a whole. Creating change from within will
companies will share their expertise of the green coffee indus- be essential to effecting lasting change in the coffee industry.
try and quality control measures with the goal of promoting As you are reading this, you might be wondering how you can
diversity in higher levels of the coffee industry. The program be part of this change.
began last May with an orientation at NKG U.S. headquarters The truth is, if we start picking apart the coffee supply
in Hoboken, New Jersey. The first three partners are Porttia chain, we are likely to find many systemic racism issues. So
Portis, Jayy Terrell and Charles Umeano. One partner will re- where does one even start creating change? Phyllis believes it
main in Hoboken, another will join the InterAmerican office is important to start where you are, “There is always a way to
in San Diego, and the last will join the Atlas Coffee Importers use what you have to be the voice in what you do. There are
office in Seattle. things you can do from where you stand that no one else can
Phyllis explains that the aim of this program is to help do but you. Don’t think of it like you have to go out there and
those who have traditionally been underrepresented in the change the world. Sometimes it’s the little things you can do.
coffee industry to learn more about the business and to rise If you truly wish to create change, then begin where you are.
to higher levels within the industry, “This program is bring- It doesn’t have to be that complicated. What makes it compli-
ing these partners from the retail level who have spent ten cated is that you still haven’t revealed yourself what it is you
years trying to find their way in that space and putting them can do. It’s a personal journey.”

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