BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages

BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages was founded in June 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa, by lifelong friends Pernell Cezar Jr. and Rod Johnson. Cezar previously worked in Target retail merchandising, managing inventory and negotiating with packaged goods companies, and also assisted SheaMoisture with national distribution. Johnson's background was in higher-education fundraising. The co-founders started the business in Cezar's garage with the aim of creating a specialty coffee and tea company that also served as a vehicle for domestic social impact, inspired by their experiences growing up in Gary, Indiana. They dedicate 5% of their gross profits to nonprofit organizations nationwide that support youth programming, workforce development, and combat youth homelessness in underserved communities. In 2024, they established the BLK & Bold Foundation as their official philanthropic arm. The company offers a range of non-alcoholic products, including various specialty coffee roasts such as "Brighter Days," "Smoove Operator," "Rise & GRND," "Bold Espresso," and decaf "Coffee-ISH," available as whole bean, ground, and Keurig K-Cup pods. They also produce loose-leaf teas, including green, black, and herbal varieties like Chai, Peach, Hibiscus Citrus, Chamomile, and Earl Grey, and keto-friendly cold brew coffee in unsweetened, sweet, nitro caramel, and nitro sweet flavors. BLK & Bold achieved national distribution within three years, becoming the first Black-owned nationally distributed coffee company. Their products are sold in over 11,000 retail locations, including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Walgreens, Amazon, and Costco. The brand also supplies Microsoft and NBA headquarters and is available on military bases. In 2020, the company experienced a 1,400% sales surge and became Amazon's top-selling new coffee brand. They have been recognized by the National Minority Supplier Development Council as one of the top 50 fastest-growing Minority Business Enterprises. BLK & Bold is notable for its mission-driven business model, directly linking coffee and tea sales to social impact and youth empowerment.