Local Raleigh coffee roaster joins Midwest specialty coffee collective to enhance existing brand

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 12, 2025) – Black & White Coffee Roasters, a renowned Raleigh-based specialty coffee roaster, today announced it has joined the family of brands under FairWave, a Kansas City, Missouri, collective of specialty coffee brands operating together to drive quality coffee within communities. This move marks a significant milestone for Black & White, enabling the beloved coffee roasters to enhance operations and expand impact while retaining their unique identity.

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“This partnership represents an exciting new chapter for Black & White,” said Kyle Ramage, co- founder of Black & White Coffee Roasters. “It’s a natural progression that will allow us to build upon our existing foundation and reach new heights.”

Founded in 2017 by Barista Champions Kyle Ramage and Lem Butler, Black & White Coffee Roasters has earned a reputation for its small-batch, single-origin specialty coffees. Their vision was to make premium coffee experiences accessible to a broader audience. “I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve built at Black & White,” said Lem Butler, co-founder of Black & White Coffee Roasters. “We’ve created a unique and accessible elite coffee experience, and I’m confident that this partnership will ensure our team’s continued success.”

Ramage will continue to lead Black & White Coffee Roasters, focusing on operational improvements and expanding the brand’s capabilities in Raleigh and beyond. Butler, a respected figure in the specialty coffee industry, will no longer continue with Black & White Coffee Roasters and Fairwave Collective but will remain committed to fostering meaningful and ethical contributions to the specialty coffee industry.

Joining FairWave, a collective that shares Black & White’s core values of service, community and excellence, provides the Raleigh-based roaster access to enhanced resources and a collaborative network of industry leaders. This alignment in values, from fostering kind and generous relationships to striving for meticulous excellence in craft, makes this partnership a natural fit. As the first North Carolina roaster to join the collective, Black & White will leverage FairWave’s expertise to innovate and experiment, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality experiences.

“We are thrilled to welcome Black & White Coffee Roasters to the FairWave Collective,” said Isaac Hodges, President, Growth at FairWave Collective. “Their innovative approach and dedication to pushing the boundaries of specialty coffee align perfectly with our vision. We look forward to learning from their passion and growing together.”

FairWave’s collective includes 11 esteemed brands across six states, all united by a mission to support and empower local specialty coffee leaders. By providing access to industry expertise, economies of scale and back-office resources, FairWave enables its members to thrive while maintaining their local connections and values.

To learn more about FairWave and Black & White Coffee Roasters, visit fairwave.com or blackwhiteroasters.com. 

Photography courtesy of: Jenn Hall Sweatte

About FairWave

FairWave is a specialty coffee collective that fuels the future of local specialty coffee through superior experiences and a mission to respect every hand in the journey from seed to cup. FairWave brings financial insights, industry best practices and behind-the-scenes support so that brands can stay invested in their product, experience and local market. For more information, please visit fairwave.com.