Color of Coffee Collective: Brewing History and Skills in Houston's Fifth Ward

The Color of Coffee Collective

• 💡 Keith Hawkins founded the Color of Coffee Collective in 2021 to teach students about coffee from seed to cup.
• 🎯 The program recently shifted focus to incorporating the history of their own neighborhood, Fifth Ward, into the coffee brewing process.
• 🧠 Hawkins aims to provide young people with job skills that are transferable to any industry, not just coffee.

Fifth Ward's Rich Heritage

• 📌 Fifth Ward, established in 1866, is rich with heritage, including notable figures like Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland, and cultural landmarks like Peacock Records and the Deluxe Theater.
• ⚠️ The neighborhood has faced significant challenges, including devastating fires, freeway construction that severed key areas like Lions Avenue, and economic hardship, leading to population decline and a reputation for crime.
• ✊ Despite difficulties, residents have historically worked to uplift their community and preserve its history.

1866 Coffee Brand

• 🚀 The students are now creating their own brand, 1866 Coffee, named after the year Fifth Ward was established.
• 🌍 The coffee beans are produced in Ethiopia, considered the birthplace of coffee, and then shipped to Texas for roasting.
• ✅ This initiative aims to brew not just coffee, but also confidence and essential life skills for the students.

Impact on Students

• 📈 Students have transitioned from having no interest in coffee to being excited to come in daily and perfect their brewing skills.
• 🌟 The program emphasizes personal growth, teaching students how to be better people and consider their future paths.
• 💬 The skills learned extend beyond coffee, providing tangible and intangible benefits for their future endeavors.