Meet Kenisha Thompson | Owner & Coffee Roaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenisha Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenisha, what matters most to you?
Authenticity is the value that matters most to me. It removes barriers and facades when dealing with people in and out of business. I recall early in business trying to follow all of the rules of how you should show up. That didn’t work very well. I found that I was more comfortable showing up as myself and people/customers were more comfortable working with someone who was authentic.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Roasting coffee is both an art and a science. There are roasting principles that are non-negotiable. The art comes in how you execute those principles and what you choose to present to the world.

When I was first curious about roasting coffee, I looked around and didn’t see many women and definitely not many Black women. I reached out to some roasters to see if they would allow me to apprentice under them and sadly, I was not met with any that would help me. I got discouraged, but also got more determined that I wouldn’t give up. I consulted my ancestors and was eventually awarded a scholarship to attend a coffee roasters’ camp in Evora, Portugal. There were so many people that embraced me and were willing to offer guidance, support, and encouragement on my journey. I’m still in touch with many of them today.

This was a lesson that rings true to me now! There are going to be mess ups and obstacles, but you’re not out of the game until you quit. As long as you remain authentic to yourself and who you’re doing this for, you’re not done.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would definitely take the short drive to Orlando, FL and visit Ethos Vegan Kitchen. I absolutely love their lasagne and share it with vegans and non-vegans alike. We’d also head to Cigarz at Waterford to check out one of my favorite tobacconists, Izzy. Orlando is so rich in culture and activities that we definitely would take advantage of the food, drinks, and atmosphere.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people I can shout out for how my business, and myself, have grown over the years. It starts with my ancestors (known and unknown). My style of roasting coffee was and is inspired by my late grandparents, KC Lewis and Berniece Holmes. Both of them had a no frills way of getting to the desired result. It always came down to excellence in the fundamentals. Sure technology and new developments came, but they focused on executing hard work and good old-fashioned ingenuity to accomplish the mission. I also rely on my ancestors for messaging on how to bring out the best in a particular coffee. My theory is that coffee is grown in black and brown countries along the African diaspora. The bodies and souls of the ancestors along that path nourish the soil, which in turn nourishes the coffee trees. Therefore, they are the best ones to guide the roasting styles and profiles that bring out the best in each bean.

I can also shout out my parents and the rest of my family for my upbringing. Some of the quotes I heard as a child, such as “Don’t worry about what’s in my cup” are quotes I use on mugs and other items. I always smile at those memories.

My cigar community also played a huge role in my development as a business owner. My mentor, Robert Brown, encouraged me to be okay with “being in my lane” and that continues to give me comfort and courage in the vast world that is coffee roasting.

Lastly, I can shout out the Navy and the Sailors I worked with and for. The Navy shaped me and gave me my first glimpse of the importance coffee plays in daily rituals.

Website: www.coffeebykee.com

Instagram: @coffeebykee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coffeebykee/

Facebook: @coffeebykee

Image Credits
Belikos Creations