Inner City Coffee Exchange: Cultivating Coffee as the Catalyst for Change for Communities of Color in Cowtown.
Inner City Coffee Exchange: Cultivating Coffee as the Catalyst for Change for Communities of Color in Cowtown.
Fort Worth, affectionately known as Cowtown, has a rich history of cattle, commerce, and cultural resilience. But within its urban core, a new movement is brewing—one that is reshaping the economic landscape for communities of color through a commodity as valuable as oil or livestock: coffee.
At the heart of this movement is The Inner City Coffee Exchange, an innovative initiative led by Pastor Kyev Tatum and powered by New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church of Fort Worth, the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, and the Texas A&M University Center for Coffee Research and Education in College Station. More than just a business, the Exchange is a bold economic empowerment strategy designed to transform how Black and Brown communities engage with the multi-billion-dollar specialty coffee industry.
For too long, communities of color have been disconnected from the wealth-building potential of coffee—despite its roots in Africa and its deep cultural significance. From the plantations of Ethiopia to today’s global markets, coffee remains one of the most traded commodities in the world. Yet, Black and Brown entrepreneurs have largely been left out—serving coffee rather than owning the means of its production, distribution, and retail.
The Inner City Coffee Exchange is changing that. This initiative is about ownership, innovation, and economic mobility. It is about making sure coffee is not just a beverage, but a catalyst for change—a vehicle for job creation, wealth building, and international trade within inner-city communities.
From Bean to Bank: A Blueprint for Economic Transformation
With the support of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church and the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, Pastor Tatum is pioneering a new economic model that connects communities of color to the full coffee supply chain—from bean to bank.
✅ Importing & Roasting: Black and Brown entrepreneurs are being connected to coffee farmers across the world, allowing them to source, roast, and distribute their own coffee—rather than relying on outside suppliers.
✅ Retail & Distribution: Coffee shops, mobile cafés, and wholesale supply chains owned and operated within the community are being established to keep economic power local.
✅ Education & Training: In partnership with the Texas A&M University Center for Coffee Research and Education in College Station, the Inner City Coffee Exchange is providing research-based knowledge, business education, and hands-on training in coffee entrepreneurship. Participants are learning everything from the science of coffee cultivation to international trade and business development—giving them the tools to succeed in the global marketplace.
By providing direct access to international coffee producers and creating local roasting and retail hubs, the Exchange is ensuring that Black and Brown entrepreneurs are not just participating in the industry—they are owning the process and leading the market.
Investing in the Next Generation: The Youth Coffee Expo
Economic change must be generational, and Pastor Tatum knows that real transformation begins with young minds. That’s why the Inner City Coffee Exchange is investing in the next wave of Black and Brown entrepreneurs through the Youth Coffee Expo.
With the support of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church and the Texas A&M Coffee Research Center, the Youth Coffee Expo is more than just an introduction to the industry—it is an incubator for future business leaders.
Youth participants learn:
✔ The business of coffee—from farming to exporting to retail.
✔ Financial literacy—how to invest, save, and build generational wealth.
✔ Leadership & entrepreneurship—preparing them to be job creators, not just job seekers.
Through hands-on training, mentorship, and direct exposure to industry professionals, these young innovators gain real-world experience and begin building businesses from an early age.
The goal? To ensure that the next generation of Black and Brown youth in Fort Worth aren’t just drinking coffee—they’re building empires from it.
Cowtown’s New Economy: From Livestock to Lattes
Fort Worth was built on cattle and industry, but its future is being shaped by entrepreneurship and innovation. The Inner City Coffee Exchange is leading a cultural and economic shift, using coffee as the foundation for a self-sustaining economy within communities of color.
With New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, and Texas A&M University backing the movement, the initiative is proving that coffee is more than a drink—it’s a revolution. It’s a tool for economic empowerment, racial equity, and generational wealth-building.
This is more than just a business. It’s a movement. A movement reclaiming economic agency, fostering Black and Brown ownership, and creating a global network of coffee entrepreneurs from the inner city to international markets.
Join the Movement
The Inner City Coffee Exchange is calling on entrepreneurs, investors, educators, and community leaders to be part of this transformation. Whether through partnerships, mentorship, or direct involvement, this is a moment to turn coffee into capital and create lasting economic change.
☕ Drink with purpose. Invest with intention. Build with ownership.
The future of inner-city economic empowerment starts with a single cup.
Let’s brew a better future—together.
For More Information, Contact:
Rev. Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.
Pastor and Mediator
New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church
Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas
2864 Mississippi Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
📞 817-966-7625
📧 kptatum1@gmail.com
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