There is a lot of work that goes into learning how to make coffee. Learning how a machine works or making a great pour over or how to steam milk—there’s a lot to take in. And sometimes, learning how to make coffee can be sort of daunting.

Usually, when you become a barista, skills are transferred through big establishments. First, you usually have to work in a coffee shop, and then you get trained by either someone who works at the cafe or by a roasting company—and there aren’t many options otherwise to actually learn more about coffee.

Gyst is changing that. Gyst Coffee Training, which is based in Atlanta, wants to teach people how to make coffee on their own terms. Gyst was started by Jake King and Connan Moody, and their goal was to make training accessible to anyone. All trainings are free and student-driven, meaning that the instructors work to meet the needs of students and not the other way around.

In this episode, I talk to Jake and Connan about why a free training program like Gyst is so important in the coffee industry. Information can be really hard to come by in the coffee industry—along with tools, or a space to learn, or hands-on experience, and Gyst attempts to make information widely available to as many people as possible.

Because trainings are student-led, folks are encouraged to learn on their own terms. Learning is prized above all else, and with Gyst, Jake and Connan work to provide information freely and in a manner that’s meant to welcome all folks looking to learn. Here are Jake and Connan.

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Donate to these organizations:

BRAVE SPACE ALLIANCE 

ASSATA’S DAUGHTERS 

BLACK LIVES MATTER CHICAGO 

LIST OF VENMO/CASHAPP OF BLACK COFFEE PROFESSIONALS

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ACTION PLAN FOR BOSS BARISTA TRANSCRIPTION