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Global Leadership in the Coffee Industry with Phyllis Johnson
***This Episode***
In this episode of Civically Grown, Dr. Shaniece Criss sits down with Phyllis Johnson, president and co-founder of BD Imports and founder of the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity, for a deeply thoughtful conversation about leadership, courage, and what it means to grow something over time.
Growing up as the youngest of eight in rural Arkansas, Phyllis learned early about collaboration, observation, and persistence. Those lessons stayed with her, from her teenage years navigating racial dynamics in her first job, to becoming a global coffee importer connecting producers in Africa and Latin America with roasters across the U.S., Canada, and beyond.
Phyllis shares how curiosity led her into an industry she did not initially understand, why saying yes has opened doors she could not have planned for, and how asking uncomfortable questions helped reveal stories that were hiding in plain sight. She reflects on decades of board service, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and why she does not always see herself as a “leader” even when others do.
The conversation also explores leadership later in life. Phyllis talks candidly about choice, joy, and approaching work with the mindset of “What challenges do we get to help solve today?”
She closes by describing her leadership style through a powerful metaphor: a monstera plant that started as a single stalk and, with time and care, grew to fill an entire room.
This episode is a reminder that leadership does not have to be loud to be transformative. Sometimes it starts with paying attention, asking one honest question, and staying committed long enough for growth to happen. In this episode, you will hear about:
- How early life experiences shape lifelong leadership instincts
- The power of observation and speaking up, even when it feels risky
- What the coffee industry teaches us about global systems and relationships
- Why saying yes can create opportunities you cannot predict
- Leading across cultures with humility and curiosity
- A beautiful metaphor for leadership as something nurtured over time
***Guest Bio***
Phyllis Johnson is President and Co-founder of BD Imports and Founder and Board Chair of the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE). Growing up as the youngest of eight in rural Arkansas, she learned the power of persistence and collaboration early on. Alongside her husband Patrick, she co-founded BD Imports, building relationships with coffee producers in Africa and Latin America and connecting them to specialty roasters across the U.S. and Canada.
With more than 25 years in the industry, Phyllis has become widely recognized for her commitment to advancing gender and racial equity in coffee. Through BD Imports, she has helped establish new opportunities for women and Black entrepreneurs in coffee, including the creation of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance chapters in East Africa and the Black Coffee Producers’ Program in Brazil.
Under her leadership, BD Imports has received awards such as Responsible Business of the Year and Diverse Supplier of the Year, while Phyllis herself has been honored with the Harvard Kennedy School’s Barbara Jordan Award for Women’s Leadership and recognition as a YWCA Woman Business Owner of the Year. She has spoken at the United Nations and World Trade Organization, consistently advocating for equity and representation in the global coffee trade.
In 2020, Phyllis authored an open letter on racism in the U.S. coffee industry that led to the founding of the CCRE, a nonprofit dedicated to building racial equity and expanding opportunities for Black Americans in coffee. Under her leadership, the organization has launched scholarships, mentorship programs, and internships in partnership with major industry players, and in 2024 held its inaugural “First Sip” event at the Specialty Coffee Expo.
A published author, speaker, and advocate, Phyllis has served on numerous boards including the Specialty Coffee Association, Coffee Quality Institute, and International Women’s Coffee Alliance. She holds a degree in Microbiology from the University of Arkansas and a master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. She lives in Georgia with her husband and three adult children.
***Show Host***
Dr. Shaniece Criss
View all episodes
By Dr. Shaniece Criss***This Episode***
In this episode of Civically Grown, Dr. Shaniece Criss sits down with Phyllis Johnson, president and co-founder of BD Imports and founder of the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity, for a deeply thoughtful conversation about leadership, courage, and what it means to grow something over time.
Growing up as the youngest of eight in rural Arkansas, Phyllis learned early about collaboration, observation, and persistence. Those lessons stayed with her, from her teenage years navigating racial dynamics in her first job, to becoming a global coffee importer connecting producers in Africa and Latin America with roasters across the U.S., Canada, and beyond.
Phyllis shares how curiosity led her into an industry she did not initially understand, why saying yes has opened doors she could not have planned for, and how asking uncomfortable questions helped reveal stories that were hiding in plain sight. She reflects on decades of board service, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and why she does not always see herself as a “leader” even when others do.
The conversation also explores leadership later in life. Phyllis talks candidly about choice, joy, and approaching work with the mindset of “What challenges do we get to help solve today?”
She closes by describing her leadership style through a powerful metaphor: a monstera plant that started as a single stalk and, with time and care, grew to fill an entire room.
This episode is a reminder that leadership does not have to be loud to be transformative. Sometimes it starts with paying attention, asking one honest question, and staying committed long enough for growth to happen. In this episode, you will hear about:
- How early life experiences shape lifelong leadership instincts
- The power of observation and speaking up, even when it feels risky
- What the coffee industry teaches us about global systems and relationships
- Why saying yes can create opportunities you cannot predict
- Leading across cultures with humility and curiosity
- A beautiful metaphor for leadership as something nurtured over time
***Guest Bio***
Phyllis Johnson is President and Co-founder of BD Imports and Founder and Board Chair of the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity (CCRE). Growing up as the youngest of eight in rural Arkansas, she learned the power of persistence and collaboration early on. Alongside her husband Patrick, she co-founded BD Imports, building relationships with coffee producers in Africa and Latin America and connecting them to specialty roasters across the U.S. and Canada.
With more than 25 years in the industry, Phyllis has become widely recognized for her commitment to advancing gender and racial equity in coffee. Through BD Imports, she has helped establish new opportunities for women and Black entrepreneurs in coffee, including the creation of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance chapters in East Africa and the Black Coffee Producers’ Program in Brazil.
Under her leadership, BD Imports has received awards such as Responsible Business of the Year and Diverse Supplier of the Year, while Phyllis herself has been honored with the Harvard Kennedy School’s Barbara Jordan Award for Women’s Leadership and recognition as a YWCA Woman Business Owner of the Year. She has spoken at the United Nations and World Trade Organization, consistently advocating for equity and representation in the global coffee trade.
In 2020, Phyllis authored an open letter on racism in the U.S. coffee industry that led to the founding of the CCRE, a nonprofit dedicated to building racial equity and expanding opportunities for Black Americans in coffee. Under her leadership, the organization has launched scholarships, mentorship programs, and internships in partnership with major industry players, and in 2024 held its inaugural “First Sip” event at the Specialty Coffee Expo.
A published author, speaker, and advocate, Phyllis has served on numerous boards including the Specialty Coffee Association, Coffee Quality Institute, and International Women’s Coffee Alliance. She holds a degree in Microbiology from the University of Arkansas and a master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. She lives in Georgia with her husband and three adult children.
***Show Host***
Dr. Shaniece Criss