D.C.-based bartender Kapri Robinson wants to make restaurant spaces comfortable for BIPOC diners and workers
’s pop-ups and partnerships helps raise money for causes that give back to Black communities while constructing a written record of past and present contributions Black people have made to eating and drinking culture at large. For Robinson, it all adds up to a schedule full of virtual meetings and committee calls that dominate most of her nights, but she says the prospect of finally getting back behind the bar gives her joy: “If you don’t do anything that gives you joy, you’re going to burn out.
When did you know you wanted to plan a competition specifically for Black bartenders and bartenders of color?conference. And it started off as, We really focus on education, mentorship, connecting people to brands and mentors. We also focus on camaraderie. We want them to come together. We want them to talk to each other after this competition and create that family. We give a lot of grace with ours. We give a lot of explanations. We give a lot of help. We try to do as much as we can so the bartenders are not coming out of pocket for anything.