Empowering Women in Coffee: A New Roastery Takes Oxford by Storm
Oxford, Mississippi is buzzing with the aroma of freshly roasted coffee and excitement for a new initiative that’s shaking up the coffee industry. Believe it or not, women actually make up a whopping 70% of the workforce when it comes to coffee production globally. But here’s the kicker—despite this impressive statistic, the industry’s leadership is still predominantly male. Thankfully, that narrative is shifting, especially right here in Oxford!
Meet Exploradora: A Women-Owned Coffee Roastery
Enter Exploradora, a coffee roasting company that’s not just selling delicious brews but is also on a mission to empower women coffee farmers. Co-owner Alison Anderson, along with her daughter Wade Johnson, has made it their goal to source premium specialty coffees from women only.
“After many trips to Central and South America farms and seeing firsthand the incredible work of women in coffee country, we made it our mission to seek out female farms,” says Alison enthusiastically. The roastery ensures that these women receive fair wages, which in turn allows them to grow their farms and support their families.
Giving Back: One Dollar at a Time
But it doesn’t stop there! Exploradora is also socially conscious. For every bag of coffee sold, they donate $1 to Springboard to Opportunities, which works with the Magnolia Mother’s Trust—a program focused on supporting Black mothers living in affordable housing in the South. “Lifting up women is truly at the heart of our mission,” Johnson adds.
Step Inside the Roastery: A Community Space for All
If you’re curious about how this fantastic coffee is made, the Exploradora roastery invites you to come and visit. “We want our customers to have a front-row seat to our roasting process,” Alison explains. The roastery has a fantastic tasting bar offering everything from pourovers to nitro cold brew, espresso drinks, and chai. But that’s not all! They have also created an engaging event space complete with seating, a ping-pong table, corn hole, and even a big-screen TV!
Quality Coffee with a Purpose
Another face behind the delicious brews is founder and roaster Lesley Vance Walkington. She meticulously focuses on flavor profiles when roasting coffee. “I only source specialty coffee beans that are grown at high altitudes, picked right at the peak of ripeness, and recognized for their superior quality,” Walkington shares. The result? A cup of coffee that’s not only rich in flavor but also tells a story.
Currently, coffee lovers can purchase Velvet Ditch coffee through their website or at select locations across the region. Exciting news is also on the horizon as Velvet Ditch plans to open its first dedicated location at 1316 N. Lamar in 2025, just a mile from the iconic Oxford Square. This spot is conveniently located to serve not only visitors but also local residents, giving them a comfy venue to catch up with friends and make new ones.
Community Connections and Future Plans
Velvet Ditch is all about giving back to the community. They’re not just about coffee; they participate in local events like sponsoring the Velvet Ditch Gran Fondo and donating coffee to chamber events. “Oxford is such a special place that stays in your heart,” Walkington explains. “I want to help people explore the nuanced flavors in every sip and change the way they think about coffee!”
If you’re excited about what coffee can do for both its drinkers and the community, be sure to check out what the women of Exploradora and Velvet Ditch are brewing in Oxford. Who knew that a simple cup of coffee could be such a powerful catalyst for change?
