Trader Joe's Selling First Black-Owned Coffee Brand

Margaret Nyamumbo

Black businesswomen continue to break barriers in the world of business. Kahawa 1893 coffee, a Black woman-owned coffee, is selling at Trader Joe's.

Margaret Nyamumbo made history in early May when her coffee became the first of its kind to be stocked at Trader Joe's. The chain has over 200 stores in California and plans to expand in the entire country.

"Kahawa 1893 making it to the shelves of Trader Joe's makes me excited. It also signifies a commitment to showcasing amazing diversity in the market by Black-owned brands. I am happy to share the rich and aromatic flavors of Kahawa 1893, a true Kenyan coffee, with consumers," said Margaret Nyamumbo, founder and CEO of Kahawa 1893.

Kahawa 1893 is grown in Kenya and roasted fresh in San Francisco by a third-generation farmer. The brand provides various blends, including 1893 Espresso Decaf, Safari, Ethiopian, Serengeti, Peaberry, Kenyan, and Single-serve coffee.

The former Harvard graduate and Wall Street Investment Banker created the coffee brand in 2017. Nyamumbo wanted to offer superior coffee to buyers while enabling female African coffee farmers with sustainable wages.

"Once a consumer gets their coffee from Trader Joe's, they can scan a QR code and send a tip to the farmer's e-wallet. The farmers receive the money directly because we double tips to match the impact," added Nyamumbo.

While the company was named after the year coffee was first planted in Kenya, it's more about forging the future of the coffee supply chain instead of honoring the past status quo.

You can also buy Kahawa 1893 online through their website.