Glitter Cat is no more. After five years of bringing coffee competition training to groups typically under-represented on the US Coffee Championship stages, the barista bootcamp started by veteran USBC competitor Veronica Pearl has decided that the 2023 would be its last.
The announcement came earlier this week in a statement penned by Pearl posted to the Glitter Cat website. Started in July of 2018, Glitter Cat sought to bring much-needed diversity to coffee competitions, providing world-class training free of charge to “members of marginalized communities including but not limited to: communities of color, 2SLGBTIQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent, and persons of marginalized gender.” And by their final tally, they did just that, training 142 total individuals, 51 of whom made it to the national stage of competition and 11 Finalists. Program alumni include names like Anthony Ragler, Em Orendorff, Elisabeth Johnson, Kristina Jackson, MiMo, and Mo Koolphanich. Earlier this year, the curriculum to provide Human Resources training and certification to 14 additional participants. This is all thanks to the over $140,000 in grants Glitter Cat raised over the years.
It has been a joy and a pleasure to work with hundreds of you over the years. I’ve learned so much, made countless mistakes, relied on the help and guidance of those surrounding me, and have become a stronger person and professional. The best part of this transition is that this is not a goodbye! Glitter Cat lives on through the energy and spirit of everyone who has touched this organization. I expect that when this glitter settles, new sensational glitter will continue to rise!
On what she hopes the legacy of Glitter Cat will be, Pearl tells Sprudge, “The legacy of Glitter Cat lives on through the Legends of the program. Each person was a part of the creation of the spirit of Glitter Cat, and this spirit now lives on through them, their projects, programs, events, and how we each show up in the industry and the world.” She continues, “Most importantly, I hope Glitter Cat’s legacy shows that you are able to do powerful and fabulous things when you show up unapologetic, authentic, chaotic, and loud [and queer and colorful and quiet and fierce and silly and goofy and reserved and monochromatic and …..]”
Per the statement, the final act for the non-profit will be to post their closing financials, which are expected to be made public in early 2024 after filing with the government. A retrospective of the five years of Glitter Cat can be viewed via their Instagram. For more information, visit Glitter Cat’s official website.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
