Appropriation In The Coffee Industry

Mar 18, 2021

We explore the far-reaching effects of appropriation in the coffee industry—and beyond. What does it mean to "borrow" images, language, icons, and other cultural elements in order to create and promote our coffee brands? And, perhaps more importantly, how do we make things right when we realize we've done wrong?

We explore the transition Wonderstate Coffee from its former name and brand of Kickapoo Coffee, which was changed after company leadership came to terms with the history of appropriation that its former moniker represented.

We'll hear from Lester Randall, tribal chairman of the Kickapoo Tribe In Kansas, as well as Wonderstate co-owner TJ Semanchin, as they discuss the intent and the impact of the company's original name and share their healing journey.

Disclaimer: After this episode was originally broadcast, it was brought to Ever Meister's attention that the story she had crafted around this topic side-stepped the necessary conflicts, complications, and confrontations that went on behinds the scenes during Wonderstate's name-change process. Meister wants to apologize to listeners for not forcing a more critical look at those aspects of the transition and wants to make clear that while the conversation included in the episode remains powerful, there is always more to be told than can be contained in just one conversation.