Entrepreneur Field Days: Brewed to Give Back: Coffee, Community, and the Future of Youth
Join us for the 2025 Entrepreneur Field Days series hosted across Greater Des Moines
It all started with the idea that entrepreneurs learn best from entrepreneurs. Take someone's hard-earned lessons and shared skills to jump-start business success. Seed the next generation of entrepreneurs. Cover a broad range of industries and subject knowledge expertise. Grow your perspective and see new areas across the community.
Brewed to Give Back: Coffee, Community, and the Future Youth
Speakers: Rod Johnson, Co-Founder & Chief Values Officer, and Pernell Cezar, Co-Founder & CEOBLK & Bold Specialty Beverages was founded in 2018 by lifelong friends Pernell and Rod, driven by their shared passion for coffee, tea, and community. Their mission: unite beverage lovers while investing in youth. A proud certified B Corporation, the company pledges 5% of gross profits to nonprofits that empower children through education, confidence, and opportunity to be the best version of themselves.
BLK & Bold is the first Black-owned, nationally distributed coffee brand in the US, and can be found in major retailers, including Costco, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Amazon, and online through their website, blkandbold.com.
Learn & Discuss:
- Sourcing, harvesting, and roasting techniques in the world of premium coffee
- Building key partnerships with cultural icons, brands, and markets for growth
- Lear how aligning brand values with meaningful actions can turn everyday products--like coffee--into tools for positive community impact
This field day is limited to the first 30 people to register!
Open to Everyone! All Entrepreneur Field Days are free and open to the public, with registration required. Not an entrepreneur? No problem – you're invited too! If you’re a creative, mentor, educator, corporate leader, economic developer, investor, or simply curious about how things work – all play a role in building a strong community of support for entrepreneurs across Iowa.
Champion a Spirit of Curiosity! Entrepreneur Field Days is a space to learn from each other first and foremost! Bring a spirit of curiosity, shared respect, a notepad to capture your next idea, and the mindset to make new connections.
