Startup Iowa's Hot List
Small Business and Startup Stories DSM
Blk N Bold Coffee Co-Founder Cezar Pernell
0:00
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -35:23
-35:23

Pernell Cezar Jr. is co-founder and CEO of BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages, known for coffee and tea manufacturing that pledges 5% of its profits to programs for youth to develop professionally and fight youth homelessness. The company works with 14 youth pledge partners across the country in its effort to prioritize purpose.

BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages is the first black-owned, nationally distributed coffee brand, and it’s headquartered in Greater Des Moines (DSM). The BLK & Bold story has been featured in Fortune, GQ, People, ChowHound, Afrotechand more, while the company became a best-selling coffee brand for Amazon and continues to highlight social issues for at-risk youth as it grows.