“Ever wonder how faith intertwines with community?” Here at Comunidade Barista Nova Filadélfia we find that special connection. Comunidade Barista Nova Filadélfia is more than just a church. It is a family, a place of connection with Jesus.
The church focuses on many social fronts. It encourages generosity and transformation.
But what does coffee have to do with this church? Let’s find out.
Imagine beans sourced from Afro-descendant farmers arriving here. Picture the aroma filling the air as they are roasted. This isn’t just about coffee. It’s about historical reparation. It is also about reversing the idea that Black people are mere laborers.
Raphael Brandao, from Nova Iguacu, is a key figure. He launched Cafe di Preto. His logo? A raised Black fist clutching a coffee branch. Each flavor line is named after important Black women of Brazilian history.
Brandao aims to remind the world that Brazil became a coffee giant on the backs of enslaved Africans. He seeks to break the stigma that Black people cannot produce quality products. His clients seek quality and a product that changes the world.
Neide Peixoto is one of Brandao’s first suppliers. Her coffee plantation spans 19 hectares. It lies 500 kilometers from Nova Iguacu in Minas Gerais. Peixoto has been around coffee since childhood. Unlike her parents, she grows coffee on land her family owns.
Most of her farm’s production is for export. The beans for Cafe di Preto have special meaning for Peixoto. She says it’s exciting that her coffee is roasted by Black people. She is happy about the connection from farm to cup.
The coffee industry in Brazil has a difficult past. In the 19th century, land degradation was a major issue. C. F. van Delden Laërne noted the naked hillsides. These hillsides were once lush forests. They were now mournful relics of coffee plantations.
Deforestation led to climate change, irregular rainfall and soil depletion. The mountains of Rio de Janeiro offered ideal conditions for coffee. Rich soil, mild climate, moderate rainfall and high altitude all helped.
However deforestation led to drought and unstable temperatures. Rains became heavier and torrential. This washed away the rich topsoil.
Comunidade Barista Nova Filadélfia understands the importance of community and faith. It embraces the movement of Black-owned coffee. It brings people together and honors the past. It also paves the way for a more equitable future.