BLQK Coffee Justin Watson Founder and CEO Los Angeles, California Episode 87 Join us this week as we go to the Los Angeles area to interview the men behind BLQK coffee, and learn what a celebration you can have when you marry good business practices with social justice motives and philanthropy. Find out how they are moving the needle in multiple areas through education and donations. A minority owned coffee company whose mission is to give back and change the world one cup of coffee at a time. Twenty five percent of their profits go to improve access to quality education, bridge opportunity gaps, and cultivate food justice. The kids who have the dreams but not the means will have the opportunity to investigate higher education, and to be exposed to a world they may not know even existed! Retired Super Bowl Champion Justin Watson used to fall asleep during play review meetings, until he was introduced to this wonderful concoction with caffeine called ...coffee....who knew? For this former St. Louis Rams running back, this may have been the beginning of his journey into the world of java, but definitely not where he ended up Ritchie Tuazon who is now a major portfolio manager, steeped in the investment world with multiple degrees from UC Berkeley, MIT Sloan and Harvard, to name a few, had a different coffee path, but what changed during the pandemic? . Brothers from different mothers. How could these guys grow up so differently and yet have such similar traits? Drive and determination crosses a lot of boundaries and neighborhoods. Learn how to make course corrections and give 110% in a business, in a game or in life. This is wise advice from anyone, but especially cogent and meaningful coming from these two. How does being kicked out of a Starbucks on Juneteenth, lead to a discussion about a “coffee project” and eventually the formation of BLQK? You think you know what that acronym stands for? Get educated this week, in more ways than one on the Roadshow. Justin and Ritchie recognized inequities in the world and decided to “move the needle” regarding minorities, education, and the lack of opportunities. The phrase pay if forward comes to real fruition with these two. Pour with a purpose, and Coffee Redefined. These two entrepreneurs are putting their slogans into real action not just platitudes From Max Ehrmann's Desiderata,  to let muddy waters stand, notes and quotes abound in this week's episode as each of these men bring their own unique perspective to BLQK Coffee. Justin and Ritchie not only want to make a difference, they want other companies to follow suit. That’s a revolutionary conversation! Educate yourself this week with Justin and Ritchie, and learn all about BLQK Coffee. Remember if you have a question, or topic you want us to follow up on from this week, or any other episode of the CCCRS, we are happy to try to get that done. https://crosscountrycoffeeroadshow.com/contact/ And for our roadshow listeners be sure to use the code: crosscountryBLQK for a 20% discount. Make sure to check out this week’s playlist for BLQK Coffee on Spotify, to hear musical selections from our guests https://spoti.fi/3wIAsLJ