Welcome to The Sprudge Twenty Interviews presented by Pacific Barista Series. For a complete list of 2023 Sprudge Twenty honorees, please visit sprudge.com/twenty.
“Gya is CONSTANTLY showing up and being better on purpose. She truly values people over profit and applies that to her daily living and coffee work. Gya gives her all to spaces to ensure they are at a standard of excellence that she believes her community deserves to experience. She is also one of the most knowledgeable coffee pros I know and educates others with such compassion and grace. Her new vision of Pouring Concepts is a program this city truly needs.”
Nominated by Korie KP Griggs
What is the quality you like best about coffee?
The power to bring people together and it’s a craft that’s constantly evolving.
What was your first coffee job?
Starbucks.
What is your current role in coffee?
Manager/Trainer.
Did you experience a “god shot” or life-changing moment of coffee revelation early in your life?
There was a night when my great-grandmother made coffee for my whole family, and seeing them share that moment was pretty special. It’s a feeling I want to share whenever I serve someone coffee in any scenario.
What issue in coffee do you care about most? What cause or element in coffee drives you?
Sustainability for farmers, workers’ unions, and accessibility when it comes to coffee education are things that really drive me.
Do you often make coffee at home? If so, tell us how you brew!
Yes, I usually use a more automated machine; currently having an OXO 8-cup brewer to make coffee for my whole family is the way to go these days. It’s easy and delicious, and it gives me a moment of rest from being behind bar all week.
What is your favorite song to brew coffee to?
Better Man by Leon Bridges
What is your idea of coffee happiness?
When you go to a new city and you enter a coffeeshop and you feel right at home. That gives me coffee happiness and a sense of safety I appreciate.
Who inspires you in the world of coffee?
Michelle R. Johnson and Marissa Yooree
If you could drink coffee with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
A combination between bell hooks, David Bowie, Betty White, and Pedro Pascal because it will probably be an incredibly wholesome, funny, and interesting conversation.
Thank you!
The Sprudge Twenty interview series is presented by Pacific Barista Series. For a complete list of 2023 Sprudge Twenty honorees, please visit sprudge.com/twenty.
