Our creators.

Headshot of Areli Barrera de Grodski

Areli Barrera de Grodski

“A lot of the history and literature that I learned about are deeply rooted in our menu and a lot of historical knowledge about Latin America and Indigenous people plays a role in how I look at the trading system. Being in the position of sourcing green coffee is not something that I take lightly. I’m always striving to uplifting and supporting Black, Indigenous women, and producers of color at origin.”

Headshot of Louisa Shafia

"My father came from Iran, but his heritage was very removed from our lives and he didn’t like to talk about it. Researching recipes and connecting with other Iranians and my extended Iranian family helped me uncover the mystery of my own background. Finding myself through the food of my heritage is an ongoing process in my life. We are so excited to bring you this beautiful coffee set! It represents the Iranian passion for hospitality, which often takes the form of entertaining guests over a cardamom-infused beverage and bite-sized sweets."

Louisa Shafia

Headshot of Vince Nguyen

Vince Nguyen

"I launched Nam Coffee to honor my culture and show that, yes, Vietnam can make fresh-roasted coffee that’s amazing. In Vietnam, coffee is not just a drink – it’s a way of life. Just like in America, we drink it every day, from morning to night. But I think one thing Vietnamese people do differently is that we love to enjoy the process of making coffee slowly, using the traditional ‘phin filter.’ Vietnamese coffee is very unique because of its bold taste, good aroma, and high caffeine."

Headshot of Melis Aydogan

“With Rüya, we want to give immigrants and locals the opportunity to rewrite our own stories through the conversations told over Turkish coffee. In the end, stories move like whirling dervishes, drawing circles beyond circles. They connect all humanity, regardless of culture, politics, or religion, and that is the good news.”

Melis Aydogan

Headshot of Grace Kinda

Grace Kinda

“Pronounced ee-bair, ‘iber’ is a statement used to express the meaning “you are beautiful” in the language of the Luo people, a proud Nilotic tribe from East Africa with origins along the River Nile. When one exclaims ‘Iber!’ they capture the joy and wonder that natural beauty can inspire. For Iber! Naturals, success is being able to connect the world to a wide range of products sourced directly from the African Continent – to create a special connection between the amazing products grown in Africa and people across the globe!”

Headshot of Frentz Neptune

Frentz Neptune

"My wife and I started Avanti Coffee Company to help Haitian coffee farmers in rural mountain villages earn a living wage for their premium, organic beans. We especially wanted to help farmers who lost their homes in Hurricane Matthew; Avanti is buying their coffee crops at fair wages, which protects them and their families. I want to build a company that can get Haitian coffee on the map again. It will help both of the countries that I love so much."