Berkeley’s 1951 Coffee Company: Brewing Empowerment for Refugees
A name with meaning
1951 Coffee Company is a nonprofit specialty coffee organization founded in 2015 that empowers refugees, asylees, and humanitarian immigrants through free barista training and employment opportunities in the United States. Named after the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, the organization blends high-quality coffee with social impact by operating cafes staffed by refugees and offering a comprehensive training program based on Specialty Coffee Association standards.
The Barista Training Program
1951 Coffee operates on the principle of the “Third Space,” using coffee shops as inclusive social hubs where refugees transition from cultural observers to co-creators in American society. The organization provides a two-week intensive training program covering espresso machine operation, customer service, coffee history, and workplace navigation—all at no cost to participants. Since its first cohort in 2016, 1951 Coffee has trained 496 barista graduates from 56 countries, demonstrating a scalable model for refugee integration.A social enterprise that multiplies impact
The program has consistently achieved strong job placement rates, with 78% of graduates receiving job offers in 2019 and 67% in 2024. Graduates find employment at 1951’s own cafes or with partner companies such as Blue Bottle Coffee, Starbucks, and Ritual Coffee. The average starting wage for alumni is $19 per hour, including tips, which exceeds local minimum wages in major Bay Area cities. In 2023, the organization expanded its reach by launching Youth Barista Training Camps for high school students aged 15–24 in partnership with Refugee and Immigrant Transitions.
National and Global Connections
1951 Coffee is part of a broader network of refugee-serving social enterprises, collaborating with organizations like Refugee Artisan Initiative and The Refugee Collective to strengthen immigrant economic inclusion nationwide. Research from Santa Clara University confirms the program’s positive impact, noting benefits such as skill development, community building, English language exposure, and access to re-employment resources. These findings validate 1951’s model as a replicable framework for social enterprises supporting vulnerable populations.
People | Purpose | Place | Path
- People: Hundreds of trainees from more than 40 countries have moved from first shifts to leadership roles.
- Purpose: A clear mission—job training, employment, and public education about refugee experiences.
- Place: The flagship café (2410 Channing Way) is warm, inclusive, and open daily.
- Path: Training is free and aligned to Specialty Coffee Association standards, with ongoing placement support across the Bay Area and beyond.
Visit & support
- Café: 2410 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704. Mon–Fri 7am–5pm; Sat–Sun 8am–3pm. FYP Shopping Listing
- Shop / Donate / Learn: 1951 Coffee Company
