Adam JacksonBey is a working coffee professional in Washington, DC, a seasoned competition veteran, a former member of the Barista Guild of America Executive Council, and the official president of #coffeetwitter (as well as its sproet laureate). JacksonBey is also the recent victim of a cyber attack that cloned his Venmo account and depleted his bank account. Currently working on opening a shop of his own, this invasion has left JacksonBey’s future, both professionally and personally—his landlord has threatened to evict him after his rent check bounced due to the incident—on uncertain ground.
Now, the Birmingham, Alabama coffee community is rallying to his support. This Friday, June 28th, Seeds Coffee will host a throwdown with all the proceeds going to JacksonBey.
Taking place at their Lakeview location, the spontaneous fundraiser is being spearheaded by Seeds’ Blake Nail, himself a competition barista in the Brewers Cup. Sign-up for the event begins at 6:00pm, with 100% of the $10 buy-in going to JacksonBey recoup the stolen funds. First pour hits espresso promptly at 6:30pm, and though competitors won’t be taking home any cash prizes, there will be winner’s booty provided by sponsors Prima Coffee, Barista Magazine, The Chocolate Barista, and Acaia.
For those unable to attend but wanting to help the cause, folks can donate directly to JacksonBey via Square and Venmo (which has since been re-secured), or for those unable to help financially, they can spread the word via social media.
If you are able, consider helping Adam JacksonBey; he’d do the same for you, and include a very good/very bad pun (the best ones are one in the same).
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
