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Small steps towards great progress:
introducing NKG PACE
Small steps towards great progress:
introducing NKG PACE
That inequality between White and Black Americans in the U.S. is still immense has been clearly demonstrated by the incidents and protests of recent months. Unfortunately, the U.S. coffee industry is no exception. The situation cannot be glossed over: Black Americans experience the largest gap in employment and decision-making roles.
Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) has always acted on behalf of producers and those in the coffee supply chain most in need of attention. While this topic was different, and went beyond what the three Neuman Gruppe USA (NGUS) import companies would traditionally address, many of us felt desperate to respond. Of course, we could have thought about a donation, but then found a more thoughtful approach – to consider what kind of more meaningful response NKG might uniquely offer. Nearly one year to the day later, we introduced the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe Partnership to Advance Coffee Equity (NKG PACE).
NKG PACE is a close cooperation between NKG and the CCRE
NKG PACE is a one-year Quality Control (QC) training program that will be implemented at the offices of Rothfos Corporation, InterAmerican Coffee and Atlas Coffee Importers, beginning May 2022. While the U. S. coffee industry is diverse in many ways, Black American are extremely underrepresented. By employing and training three Black Americans and equipping them to enter the industry in highly respected roles, we hope to grow the number of Black professionals in the industry and on our own teams, as well as to challenge all of us to keep learning and growing as professionals and individuals.
Last June, David M. Neumann reached out to Phyllis Johnson, co-founder of BD Imports, in response to an open letter she wrote, calling on coffee industry leaders to take action and create a more equitable industry. They continued to correspond, and shortly afterward, Phyllis organized the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE), a nonprofit staffed with volunteers and committed to building a more diverse and equitable industry.
NKG PACE was developed in close cooperation with the CCRE; Ms. Johnson and Mr. Neumann are co-chairs of the NKG PACE Steering Committee, and the numerous committees that helped to design the program, from its educational curriculum to its branding and application process, are combinations of NGUS employees and CCRE volunteers. After the inaugural year, the program will be open to coffee-industry sponsors, who may contribute funding or educational opportunities.
NGK PACE also receives reputable support in its efforts: the globally respected Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) contributes to the program’s educational curriculum.
“The necessary and long-overdue work of building racial equity for Black Americans in coffee will only advance through partnerships and education. The CCRE is delighted to engage in a partnership with an industry leader like NKG,” said Phyllis Johnson. “Black and Brown individuals are the foundation on which the industry stands, bursting with underutilized ideas and passions yet to be realized. Our work accelerates progress in building a more inclusive industry, unlocking opportunities to better solve our challenges. I encourage interested individuals to apply.”
Three NKG PACE Partners will be hired per year and located in different NGUS offices. The program will begin with an intensive and exciting orientation week at NGUS headquarters in Hoboken, N.J., before they disperse to their individual locations.
While QC is the focus, and by the program’s end Partners will be well prepared to the take the Q Grader exam if they desire, they will also spend time with the different NGUS departments, getting to know the other specialties within importing and gaining a fuller understanding of the supply chain.
The Partners will learn how to run and manage a QC lab: how to roast samples and how to cup. How to set up a cupping, maintain a sample library, and learn to identify annual coffee offerings from around the globe and across the quality spectrum. They’ll learn from a prepared curriculum, from hands-on work assisting QC managers and from the breadth of NKG colleagues, whom we hope to engage on video calls throughout the year.
Upon completion of the program, NGUS, NKG and CCRE will assist the Partners in finding positions that suit their considerable skills and personal interests. We hope that as the program grows in years and reputation, the industry comes to view NKG PACE Partners as the most highly desirable candidates.
David M. Neumann and Phyllis Johnson discussed NKG PACE during a CCRE webinar, moderated by Michelle Johnson of The Chocolate Barista, June 17th, 2021.
Enjoy watching the video!
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