Black Coffee Festival: Four Days That Reminded Us Why We Do This

Jamin P. Butler
Jun 19
3 min read

Let's be honest – we knew this was going to be good. We didn't know it was going to be this transcendent.

For four straight days leading into Juneteenth, our community didn't just show up – they showed out. We witnessed magic happen in real time, and we're still processing all the beauty we experienced together.

Friday, June 13th: VIP Welcome Reception

The energy was electric from the moment doors opened. Picture this: handcrafted cocktails flowing, food so good people were closing their eyes and doing that little happy dance, live music that had everyone swaying like they forgot they were at a business event.

Major shout out to our sponsors and VIPs from Grady Memorial Health and Operation Hope for pulling up and showing love! Castles Catering was absolutely on point – y'all know good food when you taste it – and Vibes On Ice kept those drinks flowing all night long.

But the highlight of the night? When our dear long-term investor Mary Etta Jones stopped by to check on her investment and congratulate us on all the hard work. Nothing hits different like having someone who believed in your vision from day one show up to celebrate how far you've come. That's family right there.

You know we couldn't end the night without getting down though! The line dances came out, boots hit the ground, and when that Casper Slide came on? The whole place went UP! This wasn't just networking – this was where strangers became collaborators, casual conversations sparked actual movements, and everybody left with sore feet and full hearts.

Saturday, June 14th: Festival Day (The Big Show!)

Saturday was absolutely beautiful – and we mean that in every way possible. The morning started with pilates, yoga, and bootcamp workouts that had people energized in body AND mind. Then our vendor hall opened and it was pure magic – kids running around sampling treats from every booth, vendors showing off elaborate displays and products that made everyone's "support Black business" posts actually mean something real.

The weather was absolutely perfect all day long, like Mother Nature herself was celebrating with us. Local brands you've never heard of but will never forget were sharing their stories, and the energy was infectious.

The afternoon brought our powerhouse panels. Renee' Mowatt moderated our Black Creatives Panel with Julian James-Burke, Milton Davis, Carla Dupont, and Micah Butler dropping wisdom bombs that had people frantically scribbling notes. These weren't just artists sharing war stories – they were cultural architects revealing their blueprints for success.

Then right before our Black Business Owner Panel, the skies opened up with a sudden shower. But you know what? A little rain wasn't about to stop this show! Quick thinking by our operations team had everything moved inside without missing a beat. Jamin Butler took the stage and Ayron Butler, Omar Ali, Nikki Porcher, and Shameka Jones served up the kind of real talk that turns dreams into businesses and businesses into legacies – rain or shine. The practical wisdom was flowing like our best cold brew, and honestly, the cozy indoor vibes made it even more intimate and powerful.

Sunday, June 15th: Family Fun & Motion Run Club

Sunday brought out the pure community vibes. Kids laughing until their sides hurt, adults remembering how to play, and our Motion Run Club keeping everyone's energy flowing. Watching three generations having fun together? That's what building generational wealth actually looks like – it includes joy, y'all.

Monday, June 16th: Communi-TEA Conversation Series

We closed out strong with our friends at Grady Memorial Hospital hosting something special. This wasn't your typical networking event where people exchange cards and forget names. This was authentic relationship-building, the kind of genuine connections that don't just transform businesses – they transform entire communities.

What's Next? Everything.

This festival wasn't just an event – it was a preview of the future we're building together. Every conversation, every connection, every moment of joy was proof that when we invest in each other, we don't just grow businesses. We grow movements.

The coffee is just the beginning. The community is everything.