Coffee Project New York Launching Scholarships for Black Baristas

Women-owned New York City-based roaster and retailer Coffee Project New York has launched a scholarship program that will provide Specialty Coffee Association-certified training to six Black coffee professionals.

With tuition covered by program partner Chobani, which recently made a play of its own in the coffee game, each of the six scholarships will involve Coffee Project New York’s comprehensive barista training program. Participating baristas will also receive a Breville Barista Pro espresso machine.

The two-full-day program draws upon the SCA’s virtual Coffee Skills Program as certified by the SCA, including the courses “Introduction to Coffee” and “Barista Skills Foundation.” The courses will delve into espresso skills, grinding skills, milk techniques, health and safety, customer service, and basic business practices.

Coffee Project New York said the scholarships will be provided to qualifying candidates who “are currently in the industry, and/or have some experience working in coffee, and are interested in advancing their skills.”

The manual brewing lab at Coffee Project New York’s training academy in Long Island City, Queens. File photo by Peter Ng, courtesy of CPNY.

Baristas completing the coursework and passing the end-of-course exams will receive a certificate of recognition from the SCA, according to Coffee Project New York, which just over a year ago opened a cutting-edge roastery and training facility in Long Island City, Queens.

Co-founded by Chi Sum Ngai and her partner Kaleena Teoh, Coffee Project New York also operates coffee shops in Manhattan’s East Village, Chelsea and Brooklyn.

The scholarship application period closes on Sunday, March 21, and classes will be held online in May. More on the program and a link to apply can be found here.