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The Chocolate Barista

The Chocolate Barista

Introducing Michelle Johnson

Meet Michelle Johnson, marketing professional, creative director, and culture writer and entrepreneur in the coffee industry. Originally from DC, Michelle has traveled across the country and overseas discovering new and innovative ways to push the coffee industry forward. Michelle started her first barista job at 19 at an independent coffee shop in DC and later moved to specialty coffee where she thrived in the complexities of coffee. From going to cuppings to learning how to train her palate, what kept Michelle in the coffee industry was the community of baristas she met along the way.


After working 7 ½ years in coffee, Michelle’s desire is to see others feel more empowered to “pick up coffee and create their own stories with it.” She wants baristas to know they can carve their own path in coffee and forge a career. The industry has allowed Michelle to be incredibly creative and given her the platform to grow her own business and get the message of diversity out.

Michelle manages The Chocolate Barista, a blog that focuses on the promotion of racial diversity and inclusivity in the specialty coffee industry one black cup at a time. As a black entrepreneur and women in the coffee industry, Michelle encourages other baristas of color to “take up space, y’all! Coffee is grown by Black and brown hands and it is in our blood. This is just one of many things part of us and our destiny!”

Michelle states that her entrepreneurial dreams for the future are to “turn The Chocolate Barista into a full blown parent company that includes creative pieces by myself and other Black people in coffee (writing, podcasts, photos, etc), a consulting business for diversity and marketing, and an ongoing scholarship fund to help people do whatever it is they need or want to do in the industry!”

Go check out http://www.thechocolatebarista.com/ to follow Michelle and her entrepreneurial journey!

 

 

 

 

Latest News

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Black Coffee, Black Words - Recap

March 14, 2019

Overflow Coffee Bar and Gumbo Media teamed up for Black Coffee, Black Words, an amazing evening of black education, celebration, empowerment, and reflection to celebrate Black History Month.

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RECOMMENDED READING

February 28, 2019

Entrenuity Team Recommended Reading:
Discover our team's top 15 book recommendations based on what we've read or what we're currently reading by African-American authors.

Photo credit: @andrejamarphoto.

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Entrenuity Welcomes Tony Deng

February 14, 2019

New team member added to mox.e Collaborative.

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Events

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StartingUp Now Exposure for RCA Leaders - Riverdale, IL

StartingUp Now Exposure for RCA Leaders - Riverdale, IL

July 20 – 20, 2019 / Riverdale, IL
Registration Deadline:July 13, 2019

Get Exposed to high energy, group-based learning with a Certified SUN Facilitator and learn how to get your business idea off the ground!

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Photo's From Past Events

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She Livs Event

She Livs Event
Moxe and Mimosas

Moxe and Mimosas
Christine Whack Event

Christine Whack Event
Crosswind Event

Crosswind Event
Wheaton in the City Pitch Event

Wheaton in the City Pitch Event
Black Coffee, Black Words

Black Coffee, Black Words
Women's History Month

Women's History Month
March Vibe Event

March Vibe Event
Overflow Farewell Party

Overflow Farewell Party
Vibe Mox.e Social May Event

Vibe Mox.e Social May Event

Videos

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Moxe Overview

Moxe, located in Chicago's South Loop, provides a professional co-working space and coaching services for entrepreneurs to launch and grow their business.

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Moxe Overview

mox.E Women

Introducing mox.E Women--a group of Christian women entrepreneurs in Chicago who meet monthly to encourage, inspire and help one another grow personally and in business.

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mox.E Women

Entrenuity Summer Business Camp

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Entrenuity Summer Business Camp

Significant Insights with Entrenuity Founder Brian Jenkins

Brian Jenkins, founder of the non-profit Entrenuity and the for-profit Starting Up Now talks about his background, and the challenges facing the black community in the conclusion of this four-part series for Black History Month. He also discusses why he founded his ministry Entrenuity, which teaches urban youth foundational principals of entrepreneurship based on biblical principles.

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Significant Insights with Entrenuity Founder Brian Jenkins
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