Juana
Women Powered Coffee Summit Song / Lead by Singer, Song composer, environmental advocate,and facilitator - Loïca
Juana
I am the seed where everything begins.
I am the whisper of the ancestors.
I am part of everything, and you are part of me.
I am your tears that hydrate the earth
I am your joy that makes the coffee growing woman bloom
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We are women of the mountains, flowers of every color.
In your hands are my fruits; in my fruits is your being.
Joy that the birds give when they sing; When the mountains sing;
the coffee plantations are moved by the sound of the birds.
Rhythm Applause
And when the mother cries, the rain washes away her pain.
It is her tears that provide hydrate the earth is its radiance
An when the mother cries, the rain cleanses her pain,
It is her tears that hydrate the earth and its radiance
AAA, aa
AAA, aa
AAA, aa
AAA, aa
We are coffee-growing women, we are the song of the ancestors.
We are work, care, and strength
We are work, care and strength
We are all that we sound,
we are all that we sing (2X)
Women Powered Coffee Summit 2026, Chiapas Mexico
The Women Powered Coffee Summit 2026 held in Chiapas, Mexico this past week delivered inspiration, confidence, and a space for honoring the strength and wisdom of our ancestors while we ourselves recommitment to the work ahead. It was a time of reaching deep into our hearts and minds, reigniting our passions, being reminded of the hardships, while rooted in truth of overcoming. It felt personal and shared all at the same time.
Rewriting History, Weaving Solidarity was the theme this year. I was honored to share my perspectives in a conversation on stage with Karla Ly Quiñoes García, a young lady I admire from her work with women in coffee and beyond. It was an enjoyable and easy conversation that naturally flowed through our connections and understandings.
The comfort and safety of the space was evident; from the stage, it felt as comfortable as my own living room. A colorful place tucked inside of Chiapas Mexico, known for its historic fight for human rights and gender equity by the indigenous communities.
A space filled mostly with women coffee producers, a few men, some small children paying close attention while others played, mothers carrying their babies, and the neighborhood dog came in from time to time for a rub and treats. We all felt safe and comfortable. It felt natural.
When blind sighted emotions showed up from what seemed to be no reason at all, maybe from words heard, sounds, sights or just gratitude in being, we gave into it. Without searching for reason, we all met in the same emotional safe space.
During the conference I listened to dreams and ideas of many, if felt like being poured cups filled with liquid gold from everyone, I had the pleasure to meet. I too started to dream for my own life.
Together we weaved, we wrote songs, we danced to the songs we wrote and sang, we cupped coffees, we discussed business, and we left inspired.
Inspiration is undervalued; in fact, it’s often the most critical part of life’s journey.
If this is what the future of coffee business looks like, it looks promising.
The Sun: Crop to Cup Phyllis Johnson on Coffee's Colonial Roots By Finn Cohen
The Sun writer, Finn Cohen sits down with Phyllis Johnson BD Imports founder in Atlanta Georgia over a cup of coffee for more than three hours to discuss coffee. They laughed about having similar childhood behaviors to how Phyllis found herself as a coffee importer working closely with coffee farmers around the world.
The Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity Launches its Leadership Development Program
The Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity launched its leadership development program entitled, Brewing for Equity Fellowship in August 2025. The five Fellows attended their first in-person workshop in Atlanta Georgia in September 2025. Monthly learnings and educational gatherings are set to take place over a 10-month period. The Fellows will attend the 22nd annual African Fine Coffees Association conference in Addis Ababa Ethiopia in early 2026. The program includes a capstone project and an opportunity for Fellows to participate in a short term internships with companies to expand their knowledge. Stay tuned for more information concerning the Brewing for Equity Fellowship.
Members of the first fellowship include:
- Alberto Maturino — owner of BIG-DAWG CoffeeWorks (Instagram)
- Emary Greene — owner of Junebug Coffee and production roaster and barista training manager at Sightseer Coffee in Austin, Texas
- Martell Mason — CEO and head roaster at Sepia Coffee Project in Detroit
- Shanita Nicholas — Founder of Quantum Seeds and co-founder of Sip & Sonder and Sonder Impact in Inglewood, California
- Dr. Tiffany Johnson James — associate professor and coffee researcher in Atlanta