Some Black voices you can follow on Instagram.
BY MARK VAN STREEFKERK
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
In the last week we’ve seen a flurry of social media activism around Black Lives Matter, justice for George Floyd, and countless ways to plug in, educate, donate, and support the movement. Social media is such a fast way of raising awareness and sharing ideas and resources, but it’s no substitute for real-world, ongoing work on anti-racism.
To amplify and uplift Black voices in coffee, we offer this small sample of Black coffee Instagram accounts, and a couple of Black wellness-related accounts as well. Permission to list them here was obtained by every account, and a contribution was made to them, or another fund they recommended, as compensation. There were so many others we wanted to include, but by the time of writing this, we hadn’t received the official go-ahead. Add these accounts to your feed if you’re not following them already, and seek out and follow other Black folks and businesses.
For non-black folks: Listen to what these accounts have to say, and if you can, reach out directly and offer a Venmo or PayPal contribution, or contribute to a fund they shout out. And don’t ask them to do emotional labor or work for you, either—that’s for you to figure out.
@getchusomegear—The cost of brewing equipment shouldn’t be an obstacle to pursuing coffee education or competition. Getchusomegear is a grassroots initiative by Chris McAuley that gets donated coffee gear to baristas of marginalized identities. In a recent post, Chris calls out performative allyship in the coffee world, and invites Black coffee pros to drop their Venmo or Cash App info in the comments. Make a donation! Read more about getchusomegear here.
@_candygram_—Candice Madison Zachary is the director of roasting at The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room in Oakland, Calif. Candice has over a decade of coffee experience, in London and the States, as roaster, green buyer, judge in barista competitions, and speaker. Follow and read her posts about challenging racism and holding white people accountable. And check out our “10 Minutes With” Candice for more inspiring words.
@cxffeeblack—Bartholomew Jones is a Memphis, Tenn.-based creative and coffee pro who’s part of a movement to reclaim coffee for Black culture. The Instagram account has links to a podcast, YouTube channel, and apparel. Follow, and find out more about the mission to educate and inspire folks to #makecxffeeblackagain.
@thechocolatebarista—Michelle R. Johnson has been speaking and writing about inclusion in specialty coffee, and so much more, since 2016. Her blog, The Chocolate Barista, features personal and guest reflections about being Black in an industry that overwhelmingly isn’t. Follow @thechocolatebarista and check out the recent post for Venmo and CashApp info for Black people in coffee. You can also read our “10 Minutes With” Michelle here.
Non-coffee-related resources that focus on Black folks
@wellnessforthepeople—This new Instagram account is from Jasolyn Harris and Angela Hope Smith, both licensed mental health clinicians and spiritual practitioners. “Our business bloomed from our beautiful partnership with @bloomandplumecoffee,” the bio says. Wellness for the People hosts free online meditation, and in conjunction with Bloom and Plume Coffee, held a “Processing the Protest” digital community conversation at the beginning of the month.
@blackmentalhealthmatters—One of many Black mental health awareness accounts, this page boosts and reposts resources and coping tips for the Black community. It also seeks to de-stigmatize talking about mental health in the Black community. Also check out @blkfolxtherapy, an account by Black therapist Jardin Dogan. The account addresses racial trauma, resiliency, and healing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Van Streefkerk is Barista Magazine’s social media content developer and a frequent contributor. He is also a freelance writer, social media manager, and novelist based out of Seattle. If Mark isn’t writing, he’s probably biking to his favorite vegan restaurant. Find out more on his website.