How do you take your coffee?
Hot Brewed with 1 spoon of sugar or Iced Cold Brew
Tell us about some of the challenges (and joys!) of being a coffee entrepreneur/member of the coffee community
The coffee industry and the community connected to it is a great place to build a career…who wouldn’t want to work somewhere that roasts and distributes great-tasting beverages that have health benefits and constant innovation? I think one of the joys for anyone that is part of the coffee community is the fact that we are also a small part of the daily lives of people all around the world and that what we do is rooted in centuries of history and tradition.
At the same time, being reliant on an agricultural sector that is being impacted by climate change, it is imperative that we work toward a more sustainable future. This can be overwhelming at times given the sheer complexity of the supply chain, from origin to consumer.
How has being part of the BIPOC/LGBTQ+ or other marginalized group strengthened or challenged your experience in Canadian coffee?
Being from Jamaica and having first-hand experience with coffee farms has made me better appreciate the journey of coffee from farm to cup, and the challenges of marginalized groups within the industry. That experience also strengthened my commitment to participating in initiatives that can help break the cycle as part of my role and opportunity working in the coffee industry in Canada. For example, when Mother Parkers launched their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) journey and formed an employee-driven Committee, I saw the opportunity to connect my experiences with programs that help build awareness of the challenges faced by marginalized groups, including those directly involved in coffee growing and production. My role as Chair of the DEI Committee affords me the opportunity to help shape strategy and tactics to support a fully inclusive working environment to the benefit of all peoples within the coffee industry, both in origin countries and here at home.
Has the Canadian coffee landscape changed in terms of diversity & inclusion since you've started working XX years ago?
Within my time in the Canadian coffee landscape, it definitely has changed, and for the better. We are seeing more emphasis on DE&I across all types of companies and an increasing number of roasters and suppliers are building aspects of DE&I into their supply chain practices and policies. Ethical sourcing, traceability and sustainability reporting are all trends that have gained traction in the past few years and are having a positive impact on DE&I initiatives in the industry. Product innovation is also evolving as companies are increasingly considering culture and ethnicity along with traditional demographics for new products and packaging.
If you could work towards ONE thing to increase diversity & inclusion in Canadian coffee, what would this be?
I think that the Canadian coffee industry, like many other industries, would benefit from greater representation of BIPOC and marginalized groups in senior leadership roles. We have unique experiences and can bring different perspectives to innovation, problem-solving and business strategy. We are fortunate to live in such a diverse, multicultural country, but we still need more representatives of that diversity in decision-making roles across all business sectors, industries and governments. I believe that improved programs for networking, mentoring and specific leadership development skills targeted to BIPOC communities can only improve the diversity and inclusion in our industry.
