From Classrooms to Global Stage: How Black Coffee Became the Brew Behind Milken 2025

Jamin P. Butler
10 hours ago
4 min read

At the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference—a summit of world-shaping minds redefining the future of finance, health, tech, and society—something powerful was brewing beyond the panels and presentations.

The Black Coffee Company didn’t just show up. We showed out.

As the exclusive coffee sponsor of this prestigious event, our signature Brazilian medium-dark roast and curated teas didn’t just fuel attendees—they fueled conversations, sparked ideas, and brought together visionaries, CEOs, policymakers, and innovators around something familiar, yet elevated: a quality cup of coffee with a purpose behind it.

Magic, Michigan State & the Moment That Mattered

One of the most unforgettable moments of the conference was when I, alongside Dr. Leonard E. Lightfoot—our CFO and leader of our D.C. operations—met Mr. Earvin “Magic” Johnson. For two kids who once walked the halls of George Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles, now sitting at the intersection of culture, capital, and community-building, the moment was surreal.

Leonard’s Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State—the same alma mater as Magic—added an extra spark. Magic told us he was “proud of how we represent as brand partners.” That hit differently. I promised him then and there: we’ll stand for excellence every day at Morehouse College and in every location we serve.

Later, we discussed our partnership with Sodexo-Magic, his joint venture with Sodexo, which will help scale our presence across HBCU campuses and key institutional spaces nationwide.

The Journey: From High School Hallways to Entrepreneurial High Rises

Our path to Milken didn’t start in a boardroom. It began in classrooms—first at George Washington Prep, then at Xavier University of Louisiana, where our HBCU experience grounded us in values that would later define our business: excellence, community, and empowerment.

Leonard continued on to earn a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State. I pursued my MBA at Tulane. In 2018, we returned to L.A., bootstrapped with less than $10K, and started Black Coffee with a dream to build a brand that poured back into our people.

What began with pop-up tables in South Central is now a nationally recognized enterprise, serving everyone from college students in Atlanta to global decision-makers in Beverly Hills.

Coffee as Currency

Over the four days of Milken, our brew became the unofficial currency of connection.

Attendees from sovereign wealth funds, tech start-ups, and philanthropic foundations gathered around our baristas for a taste of something grounded, smooth, and intentionally crafted. Our Brazilian roast—sourced with care and roasted to perfection—was praised not just for its quality, but for the purpose it represents.

And the rooms we entered? They weren’t just networking spaces—they were launchpads.

John Hope Bryant & The Global Economy

One standout moment was bumping into our mentor and long-time supporter, John Hope Bryant, just before a major session on the global economy led by Michael Milken himself. John was speaking to a room full of multi-billionaires, Fortune 500 CEOs, hedge fund managers, cabinet secretaries, and institutional leaders.

In the middle of his powerful remarks—centered on equity, economic mobility, and opportunity—John gave us a heartfelt shout-out. In a room filled with some of the world’s most influential figures, hearing The Black Coffee Company spoken with pride and purpose was a reminder: we belong at every table where success is being brewed.

Panel Conversations That Turned Into Partnerships

Upskill Battle: The Race to Rewire America's Workforce

Post-panel talks with Artis Stevens (Big Brothers Big Sisters of America) and Michael Ellison (CodePath) sparked plans to bring mentorship and entrepreneurship programming to the young people we all serve.

Common Sense from Uncommon Investors

We connected with Robert Smith after this panel, deepening our relationships with those committed to building generational wealth for underrepresented communities.

From Start-Ups to Scale-Ups

We found alignment with DeAngela Burns-Wallace (Kauffman Foundation) and Terri Ludwig (Ballmer Group) in discussions about amplifying our story as a blueprint for minority-owned business growth.

Game Changers: Unlocking the Global Sports Economy

Willow Bay and Jason Wright shared insights that paralleled our own experience disrupting traditional markets and highlighted new possibilities in the evolving sports and beverage economy. Money, Access, and Scale: The Evolution of Financial Technology

Following this powerful conversation on the future of FinTech—where ideas around mobility, equity, and scalability in financial services took center stage—we connected with Ashley Bell (Redemption Holding Company) and Jalak Jobanputra (Future\Perfect Ventures).

Both leaders saw The Black Coffee Company as an example of scalable impact—and doors are now opening for potential fintech integrations and strategic partnerships to expand our reach.

Brewing the Future, One Cup at a Time

Our tea and coffee stations—stocked with Masala Chai, Earl Grey, Texas Sweet Green Tea, Georgia Peach, and more—weren’t just beverage counters. They were microcosms of our mission: creating spaces where community and commerce intersect.

Milken 2025 proved that our product is premium—but more than that, our presence is purposeful. Leaders from tech incubators to sports franchises are now reaching out to partner. Because excellence isn't just something we serve—it's something we embody.

Back to the Roots, Forward to the World

Meeting the founder of the Milken Institute while serving our coffee was a full-circle moment. It reminded us that success doesn’t start with money or fame—it starts with belief, education, and community.

As we return to Black Coffee operations across the country, our mission remains the same: build a company rooted in culture, driven by purpose, and powered by quality.

From pop-ups to premier stages, from L.A. to the world—we’re brewing more than coffee. We’re brewing legacy.