Pastor Kyev Tatum’s Engagement with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg CityLab: A Launchpad for Inner-City Economic Revival.

 

Pastor Kyev Tatum’s Engagement with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg CityLab: A Launchpad for Inner-City Economic Revival.


In 2024, Pastor Kyev Tatum, Sr., a national civil rights leader and President of the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, stood at the forefront of efforts to bridge the gap between faith-based and community organizations and economic development opportunities. His engagement with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg CityLab marked the beginning of a larger movement—one designed to empower inner-city communities through sustainable economic innovation.



Building Economic Pathways: The Inner City Coffee Exchange and Youth Coffee Expo


Under Pastor Tatum’s leadership, the community launched the Inner City Coffee Exchange and the Youth Coffee Expo, two groundbreaking initiatives aimed at revitalizing the economy of Fort Worth’s 76104 ZIP code, an area with the lowest life expectancy in Texas. These initiatives go beyond coffee—they are strategic economic engines designed to create trading, education, and job development opportunities for inner-city youth and minority entrepreneurs.

• The Inner City Coffee Exchange connects local coffee entrepreneurs to global markets, fostering international trade relationships and empowering small business owners with the tools to thrive.

• The Youth Coffee Expo introduces young people to the specialty coffee industry, providing hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, supply chain logistics, and financial literacy.


By leveraging coffee as a vehicle for economic transformation, these initiatives are setting a precedent for other urban communities seeking sustainable economic growth.




Department of Commerce Partnership: Launching a Faith-Based Economic Cohort


Recognizing the need for systemic change, Pastor Tatum partnered with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (OFBNP) to launch a virtual economic cohort. This initiative, co-hosted by the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas and a coalition of Chambers of Commerce, faith-based organizations, and community-based groups, was designed to create long-term partnerships that drive economic equity.


The cohort laid the groundwork for national roundtable discussions aimed at:

• Fostering collaborations between businesses, faith-based organizations, and community leaders.

• Addressing economic disparities and infrastructure needs in minority communities.

• Providing direct access to federal funding, grants, technical assistance, and data-driven innovation.


These roundtables are not one-off events; they represent a commitment to ongoing engagement between government agencies and the communities they serve. The Department of Commerce envisions a national convening summit to celebrate the success stories emerging from this initiative, signaling a new era of inclusive economic development.



Bloomberg CityLab and the Bloomberg New Economy Catalysts Nomination


Pastor Tatum’s groundbreaking work did not go unnoticed. In 2024, he was nominated as a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst, a global recognition of innovators shaping the future of business and policy. While he was not ultimately selected, the nomination itself was a testament to his visionary leadership in economic justice and community revitalization.


His engagement with Bloomberg CityLab provided a platform to elevate discussions on urban innovation, social equity, and the power of faith-based economic development. He championed policies aimed at bridging the wealth gap and unlocking opportunities for historically marginalized communities, reinforcing the role of grassroots leadership in driving systemic change.



A Launchpad for Inner-City America


Pastor Tatum’s work is more than a series of initiatives—it is a blueprint for economic transformation in inner-city America. From the Inner City Coffee Exchange to national partnerships with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg CityLab, his efforts are laying the foundation for a new economic model that prioritizes inclusion, sustainability, and opportunity.


As these initiatives continue to expand, Pastor Tatum remains committed to building an ecosystem where faith, business, and community development intersect to create lasting change. His leadership is proving that economic justice is not just a possibility—it is a reality in the making.



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