Community Highlights: Meet Phyllis Johnson of BD Imports

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phyllis Johnson.

Hi Phyllis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For the past decade, I have called the Atlanta area home, but my roots began on a rural Arkansas farm. It was there that my foundation in agriculture was built—a upbringing that has fueled my 27-year career in the global coffee industry. After earning my degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, I successfully launched my own coffee importing business. My journey eventually led me to the Harvard Kennedy School, where I earned a Master’s degree, and later to founding the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity. Over the course of my career, my work and family have taken me across several states and to more than 25 countries, where I have partnered with global coffee producers to design and scale initiatives centered on gender and racial equity.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path was far from easy. When I launched my company, BD Imports, I was entering unchartered territory; I didn’t know of a single other African American woman working as a green coffee importer, and even today, representation remains incredibly low. Navigating the steep learning curve of a complex global industry while simultaneously building and operating a business was an immense challenge. However, that lived experience is exactly what drove me to create a more inclusive future for the industry, leading me to found the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity.
Business: bdimports.com
Non-Profit: coffeeforequity.org

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At BD Imports, we source and import premium green coffee, supplying leading specialty roasters across the US, Canada, and the UK. Throughout my career, I have viewed coffee not just as a commodity, but as a powerful vehicle for creating economic opportunity. Looking back on nearly three decades of business, my greatest pride lies in pairing commercial success with systemic change. A prime example of this is our groundbreaking partnership with women leaders in Brazil. Despite Brazil being the world’s largest coffee producer since the 18th century—a legacy built on the backs of enslaved people—Black coffee producers remain severely marginalized today. Together, we established a dedicated program to import coffees exclusively from Black Brazilian producers, allowing BD Imports to spearhead a vital shift toward equity and measurable progress in the region.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Leadership requires a high tolerance for risk, and my career has been defined by the bold choices I’ve made. For me, risk-taking hasn’t just been about financial stakes; it has been about investing in human potential. I have consciously embraced risk by anchoring my supply chain in partnerships with emerging entrepreneurs across Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, and Brazil, frequently aligning with first-generation, women-owned businesses. Furthermore, I’ve taken the calculated risk of walking away from business opportunities that did not align with my company’s core values. This commitment to integrity over easy wins has been foundational to building a resilient, purpose-driven enterprise.

Contact Info:

• Website: BD Imports
• Instagram: www.bdimports.om
• LinkedIn: BD Imports