Case Study

Empowering Inclusive Employment: 321 Coffee and Sodexo Live!

October 2024

baristas in a cafe

October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a reminder of the importance of providing equal opportunities for everyone to contribute, regardless of disabilities or differences. At 321 Coffee, their mission is simple yet powerful: to provide meaningful employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their journey began with a vision to build a company founded on inclusion, and today, they operate multiple coffee shops in Raleigh, NC. Sodexo Live!, the hospitality provider for the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, started a partnership with 321 to source fresh, direct-trade coffee for their on-site cafe, Complex Brew.

Founded in 2017 by Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans, 321 Coffee began with humble beginnings—a couple of folding tables and a home coffee brewer set up on the NC State campus. These grassroots efforts helped establish a presence in the community, and the overwhelming support from Raleigh propelled their growth beyond those folding tables. "From starting with a folding table and a home coffee brewer to operating multiple brick-and-mortar locations and a full-fledged roasting facility, the scale and traction of our growth are a testament to the power of inclusive employment," says Lindsay.

"The statistics are sobering—80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed. This staggering number fueled our determination to make a difference. We recognized the potential and the desire for meaningful work among individuals with disabilities, and we set out to change the status quo."

Lindsay Wrege
Founder, 321 Coffee

Over 50 adults with disabilities staff 321's coffee shop and roastery. From roasting the beans to taking orders and crafting lattes, they are instrumental in every aspect of the business. In addition to offering a full-scale espresso menu in each location, 321 partners with over 100 companies to further promote inclusion through a diverse supply chain. "We take pride in partnering with Sodexo Live!," Lindsay says. "With their support, they're directly helping give our team more coffee to roast, more work to accomplish, and more people to hire. We've got over 60 people on our team, but we have over 300 people on a waitlist who want to work that we don't have space for. Every time an organization like Sodexo Live! chooses to buy from 321, they're helping make a difference."

  • Baristas
  • barista
  • modern cafe
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  • iced coffee
  • Baristas
  • barista
  • modern cafe
  • barista
  • iced coffee
  • Baristas
  • barista
  • modern cafe
  • barista
  • iced coffee

Coffee provides a space for conversation and interaction, breaking down stigmas and stereotypes, and allowing people to see individuals for who they are. "If you've never interacted with someone with a disability, creating that space for conversation and recognition is crucial," says Lindsay. "It's about breaking down barriers and getting to know people as individuals. By doing so, we can create a workplace and a community where everyone feels valued and supported. This is the environment we should all strive to build, where meaningful work and community engagement go hand in hand."

Thanks to their presence at Complex Brew, 321 has many people reach out, sharing how excited they were to learn about the organization. "Event planners and guests have asked how they can share the 321 experience with other people. It's been very cool, seeing the number of different opportunities that have come from working with Sodexo Live!"

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