Milwaukee is on the rise, but not for everyone. Historic and contemporary barriers prevent people in certain urban neighborhoods from access to quality food, jobs, and relative peace. We hear about these barriers on the local news and in national debates. We know we can do better, but we're not always sure how. 

MKEing Coffee emerged when a group of diverse individuals dreamed about seeing a coffee roaster and cafes—and the jobs and economic development that come along with it—bloom in Milwaukee's central city. 

MKEing Coffee’s vision is to roast delicious coffee, but stay right where we are. We want to provide good work for individuals who struggle to find it because we care about family, community, justice, and urban renewal.

Now, with the hopes of impacting students of Milwaukee directly, Chad and Jarod have handed off their enterprise to the high school Warriors of Eastbrook Academy as a way to impact their school community, local neighborhoods, and futures.

An Eastbrook Warrior isn't your average teen. Eastbrook Warriors are passionate about changing the world, loving their neighbor, all while embracing academics. These are the kinds of Warriors who will go on to become the leaders that our world needs today.

We have a lot of confidence in our community because, as we like to say on campus, it's always a great day to be a Warrior! 

Partnership with Stone Creek

Under the generous tutelage of Stone Creek Coffee, we are bringing decades of coffee roasting expertise to every bag. We are able to offer responsibly-sourced beans and uniquely-crafted roasts. Good is a bit of an understatement.

A Rippling Impact 

A recent focus has been on developing the workforce and entrepreneurs of the future by assisting high school and some college students in the Milwaukee area to learn by doing.

By drinking our coffee, you are helping to provide meaningful work experience and the job title of "Coffee Expert." You are investing in developing a student who might someday help serve your customers, develop your brand, or figure out a creative way to be generous through your success.

By drinking our coffee, you are playing a role in reMKEing Milwaukee, yes. But also, you are investing in the lives of future leaders. That is no ordinary cup of joe.

 

Meet the Original Founders

Meet Chad (on the right) and Jarod (on the left). They met while living on the same block in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood. They met, actually—by walking out their front doors and seeing each other.  Beyond being neighbors, Chad and Jarod were both already business owners and contributing to efforts to address issues in their urban, central city community through job creation, service and generosity.

They came together around the idea that the MKEing of Good Coffee (and the jobs, impact and collaboration that come along with it) can lead to the MKEing of a Good City.

It is from their love to pursue change for the greater good that Chad and Jarod chose to partner with Eastbrook Academy. We are thankful to them for the opportunity to continue furthering their mission!