Equity-Focused CQI Extends Resources to NKG PACE: Our Thanks

When NKG PACE was being created, the rare company to step forward and offer its services was the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI). Then-CEO Tina Yerkes eagerly collaborated with NKG CEO David M. Neumann. She personally joined a bi-weekly committee that helped shape the original curriculum, and she made a commitment to waive fees on CQI instruction to the NKG PACE Partners, as well as CQI fees around the Q Grader exam — a considerable gift.

Interim-CEO Bridget Carrington honored this agreement, and new CEO Michael Sheridan has gone still further, offering new support for the program through the CQI Global Fund.

CQI works to build equity in producing countries through an education system that paves paths for self-sufficient and thriving coffee communities; NKG PACE aims to build equity in the U.S. coffee industry by sharing its knowledge of the little-understood world of green coffee with underrepresented coffee professionals. While different businesses, our intentions are aligned.

Recently, we had the distinct pleasure of taking the CQI “Post-Harvest Processing” class with CQI Instructor Tim Heinze. (“Distinct” because it’s hard to imagine anyone offering five hours of instruction with more cheer, intelligence or enthusiasm than Tim, even as Hurricane Beryl barreled through his backyard!) The class offered an overview of the multiple processing methods, as well as some science-based explanations of the coffee fruit and a history of the processes, with an instructor who had lived and worked beside producers for years. It was an undoubtedly rich addition to the NKG PACE curriculum. 

Over the last two years, we’ve also benefitted from the patient assistance of Emma Sage, CQI director of Education Resources, and Drew BiIllups, a key member of the NKG PACE Education Committee, a long-time coffee educator and a CQI Instructor, who volunteered his time and energy delivering the CQI curriculum to NKG PACE Partners as an independent contractor. They were both also instrumental in maintaining the partnership throughout CQI's management transitions.

Experiencing the intellectual and financial support of the CQI has been heartening, motivating and validating for all of us at NKG PACE. Our warmest thanks to Michael and his team for engaging in this important work, for their generosity and, most of all, for their partnership!