BLK & Bold
Last verified: April 2026
Read our full verification: Is BLK & Bold Made in USA?Verification Summary
American Score
Manufacturing Location
Des Moines, IA
Headquarters
Des Moines, IA
Founded
2018
Products Verified
4 products
Evidence Breakdown
Factory Location Specificity
Specific factory city identified
Website Claim
Brand website explicitly claims Made in USA
Manufacturing History
Recent USA manufacturing
Known Overseas Production
No known overseas production
Verification Notes
BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages was founded in 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa by Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson. The first nationally distributed Black-owned specialty coffee brand, micro-roasted in Des Moines. Certified B Corporation that contributes 5% of profits to urban youth initiatives. 100% Arabica specialty-grade beans roasted in Iowa. Products available at Amazon, Target, Costco, and nationwide. Roasted in USA.
Last verified: April 2026
BLK & Bold has been manufacturing products in Des Moines, IA since 2018. We carry 4 verified American-made BLK & Bold products.
Heritage & History
BLK & Bold was founded in 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa by childhood friends Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson, who set out to build a specialty coffee company with an explicit social mission: donate 5% of all profits to programs addressing youth homelessness, food insecurity, and workforce development for underserved young people. The founders believed that a premium consumer brand could be both commercially excellent and genuinely impactful — that taste and purpose were not competing values.
The brand's timing was fortuitous. Consumers were increasingly seeking out purpose-driven brands, and the specialty coffee market was ready for a voice that connected quality sourcing with social accountability. BLK & Bold's coffees were sourced from farms in Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, and other origin countries, roasted to order at their Des Moines facility, and packaged to convey the brand's aesthetic and values simultaneously. The company grew rapidly and secured distribution in Whole Foods and other national retailers within two years of launch.
Roasted in Des Moines, Purposeful by Design
BLK & Bold roasts all of its coffees at its Des Moines facility, applying roast profiles developed through careful cupping and quality assessment of each origin's beans. The lineup includes single-origin coffees that highlight the specific characteristics of their growing regions — Ethiopian naturals with fruity, wine-like notes; Guatemalan washed coffees with clean chocolate and citrus — alongside blends designed for espresso and everyday brewing.
The tea line extends the brand's commitment to premium quality and social mission to loose-leaf and bagged teas sourced from high-quality origins worldwide. BLK & Bold's 5% commitment is tracked and reported publicly, with partner organizations including Mentoring Positives in Madison, Wisconsin and 1:Face Project supporting youth in multiple cities. The combination of specialty quality and transparent social impact has made BLK & Bold one of the most recognized mission-driven coffee brands in America.
Quick Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BLK & Bold made in the USA?
Yes. BLK & Bold manufactures 4 verified products in Des Moines, IA. BLK & Bold is a Black-owned specialty coffee and tea company based in Des Moines, Iowa that sources and roasts premium beans with a mission to reinvest 5% of profits into programs supporting at-risk youth.
Where is BLK & Bold manufactured?
BLK & Bold is headquartered in Des Moines, IA. Manufacturing takes place in Des Moines, IA.
What BLK & Bold products can I buy?
We carry 4 verified BLK & Bold products across Food & Beverages. Every listing links directly to Amazon with verified American manufacturing.
When was BLK & Bold founded?
BLK & Bold was founded in 2018. BLK & Bold is a Black-owned specialty coffee and tea company based in Des Moines, Iowa that sources and roasts premium beans with a mission to reinvest 5% of profits into programs supporting at-risk youth.
Does BLK & Bold ship from Amazon?
Yes, all BLK & Bold products listed here are available on Amazon with free shipping for Prime members.