Welcome back to The Sprudge Twenty interview series! The Sprudge Twenty is an annual initiative by Sprudge presented in partnership with Pacific Barista Series that honors and amplifies 20 extraordinary individuals in teh global specialty coffee community. You can view this year’s Sprudge 20 honorees here, and catch up on all our interviews to date.
I was a fan of her work long before we ever met (a musician, singer, and world-renowned poet whose words still carries so much weight). So when we finally connected, I couldn’t help but ask what she was working on next. Little did I know… that question would become the doorway to her partnering with me at Gilly.
She didn’t come from a coffee background. She came from the arts like me. But what’s been beautiful to witness is her willingness to step into something new, to learn a completely different craft, and to truly become a lover of beverage.
She’s a wonderful mother and an extremely talented individual; a true gift to me, our team and my built-in hype woman; it didn’t take long for me to see how deeply she believes in the vision, mission, and the community we’re building through Gilly. In seasons where I felt discouraged, she lifted me with her words and that meant the world. And if you know anything about specialty coffee, you know this: it is certainly an art form. It’s not just about what’s in the cup. It’s about story. And Janette is one of the most brilliant storytellers in general (especially in coffee) that I know.
That’s when it clicked for me; why she fits so seamlessly in this space. She’s very captivating. Whether she’s standing on a stage performing in front of thousands, or behind the bar serving a single guest, it’s all the same. Just another platform to connect, to serve, to dialogue, and to share story.
Janette is Gilly’s unofficial, built-in ambassador. She may not always be behind our bar, but wherever she goes, she represents us with intention and excellence. And for that, she’ll always hold a special place in my heart. In this season she’s become an extension of Gilly as the manager of an incredible, new Jamaican-Asian restaurant here in Atlanta called Station Eleven (a place Gilly is proud to partner with).
So not only can you experience amazing cuisine in the our city… The coffee and tea program is top tier. That’s no accident. That’s because of my big sis, my friend… Janette.
Nominated by Daniel Brown
How many years total have you worked in the coffee industry?
5
What was your first coffee job?
Barista with Gilly Brew Bar.
Did you experience a life-changing moment of coffee revelation early in your career?
As a global touring artist, when the world shut down, performing was no longer an option. Around that same time, I was offered the opportunity to join Gilly. I was honored because I was already a fan, Gilly had my heart as a consumer first. That was my coffee revelation. I realized coffee was so much more than a drink. It was an experience. It was communal, innovative, pure artistry, and a place where culture and cultivation met. In that moment, I saw coffee through the eyes of an artist and realized it was another creative medium…one that had the power to connect people just like music and poetry does.
Is there a person or persons who served as your mentor early in your coffee career? How did they impact you?
Daniel Brown is a creative genius. His storytelling through seasonal coffee and tea elixirs completely changed my perspective. Every release felt like an album drop! Innovative, intentional, and unrestricted. He elevated coffee by blending culture, faith, and high-quality ingredients into experiences that were not only delicious but visually stunning. He takes pride in every detail.
Nephtaly Leonidas inspired me to dream bigger and showed me how coffee is a tool to communicate, impact community, and get into “good trouble” while always choosing to “pledge bright.” Ivan Solis poured into me and gave me the foundation I needed teaching me integrity, the importance of never compromising quality, and that ceilings are only meant to be broken through on the way to the sky. I love them deeply.
I was trained by children of immigrants, and I’m proud to carry that legacy forward.
What is your current role in coffee?
Coffee Director.
What facet of the coffee industry has changed the most during your career?
Sustainability, processing methods, and home brewing methods.
What still surprises you today about coffee, or gives you joy?
What surprises me most and brings me the greatest joy about coffee is realizing that coffee is rarely the end goal. It’s the connecting factor. The real reward is the relationships that are built and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, all through a single cup. But the foundation of every great coffee experience begins with high quality coffee.
I also love introducing people to coffee in ways they’ve never experienced before. Watching someone discover a new origin, brewing method, or flavor profile and seeing them realize they actually love coffee in multiple forms is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
What’s something about the coffee industry you’d most like to see change?
I would love for coffee education to be more accessible and approachable for everyone. I’m also passionate about helping create sustainable career paths so more people can build meaningful, well compensated careers in coffee. And I want to see coffee producers celebrated more visibly honoring their craftsmanship, telling their stories, and giving them the recognition they deserve as the foundation of everything we enjoy in the cup.
What is your most cherished coffee memory?
My favorite coffee memory goes back to childhood. My grandmother and I were on a train from Los Angeles to New Orleans for a family reunion. At breakfast, she poured herself a cup of coffee and then poured one for me. My great-aunts looked at her in disbelief and said, “You let her drink coffee?” She smiled and replied, “Yes, and she loves it.” Truthfully, my cup was mostly milk, but that wasn’t the point. In that moment, I sat a little taller because I felt like I had a seat at the grown-ups’ table. I’ve carried that lesson with me ever since. Coffee became more than a drink, it became a symbol of belonging. It taught me to take my seat at the table with confidence, even when others might question whether I belong there. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my life and career.
Do you make coffee at home? If so, tell us how you brew!
Absolutely, I tend to go black at home so pour overs and AeroPress!
What is your favorite song/music to brew coffee to?
“Better Than I Imagined” by Robert Glasper feat. H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello.
What is your idea of coffee happiness?
Sitting a table with loved ones and friends, sharing our origins over origins!
If you could drink coffee with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
My mother. Her passing in 2020 was unexpected. We started our mornings with coffee and closeness. There are conversations we never got to have and I would love any additional time.
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone getting their start in the coffee industry today?
Let coffee be your path and let people be your purpose.
The Sprudge Twenty feature series is proudly presented by Pacific Barista Series.
