Coffee is increasingly recognized as a pathway to meaningful employment for at-risk individuals, including formerly incarcerated people, vulnerable youth, those facing mental health challenges, the homeless, and immigrants. In Fort Worth, Texas, a new event this week is dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth through the specialty coffee industry.
The inaugural Youth Coffee Expo, organized by the Inner City Coffee Exchange, aims to provide young people with an opportunity to explore and cultivate careers in specialty coffee—an avenue they may not have previously considered.
Scheduled for Thursday, October 17, at the Texans Can Academy, this year’s theme is “From the Crop to the Cup: Cultivating Careers in Coffee for Children.” The expo will feature insights from industry leaders across the state, highlighting various aspects of the coffee supply chain. Notable guests include Eric Brenner, Assistant Director of Texas A&M University’s Center for Coffee Research and Education; Rodrigo Chavez, owner of What’s the Buzz Coffee Company; Gladys Lee, a Hall of Fame coach and golfer who lends her name to Gladys Lee Specialty Coffee; and Pastor Kyev Tatum, founder of Inner City Coffee Exchange.
In alignment with its mission to leverage specialty coffee as a tool for economic empowerment, the Youth Coffee Expo also aims to stimulate the inner-city economy by introducing residents to the world of specialty coffee.
The event will take place from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 17, at the Texans Can Academy in Fort Worth, Texas.
Related Topics:
Partners in Coffee Expands: From Tuk Tuk to Community Hub
Unforgettable Cafe: A Brew of Joy and Dignity for Elderly Baristas
Figaro Coffee Group Expands Horizons with Rebranding to Figaro Culinary Group