Tiffany Johnson, associate professor of Organizational Behavior at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business, and Michael Davis, founder of Tinycup Coffee , explore the intersection of coffee, research, and social impact in the latest episode of the Impact x The Intersection Podcast.
Davis shares his journey from a career in design to founding Tinycup in 2023, emphasizing the importance of redefining coffee as a ritual of rest and restoration rather than just a fuel source.
“How do we change a customer’s relationship to coffee from fuel to understanding it as a ritual of rest and restoration? That, to me, is impact in the coffee space at the stage that Tiny Cup is at right now,” he said.
Johnson, whose research focuses on equity and wellness, discusses her work within the coffee industry, specifically the experiences of Black coffee farmers in Brazil and their challenges, including limited access to resources and the power of storytelling in elevating their voices.
They stress the significance of ethical practices and storytelling in driving positive change within the coffee industry.
Tune in to the full episode to hear more about how Johnson and Davis are working to reshape the coffee industry and promote a more ethical, restorative, and socially impactful coffee culture.