Pernell Cezar, Jr. (Marketing and Financial Management, ’10) doesn’t allow himself too much time for pinch-me moments. The co-founder and CEO of BLK & Bold Specialty Coffee, Cezar prefers to look ahead — “keep my eye on the ball,” Cezar says. “I can get easily overwhelmed if I pause and acknowledge those moments.”

BLK & Bold, which offers specialty coffee and loose-leaf tea packages, recently signed a multi-year licensing agreement with the NBA, leading to the release of Warm-Up, a medium roast package of coffee adorned in red and blue packaging to represent the league’s Western and Eastern Conference.

“I grew up as a basketball fan. It’s my number one sport,” Cezar said. “It’s super validating to be a partner of the NBA and know that they are such a global organization and recognize the value-driven thought leadership they drive their business with today.”

Values are important to Cezar and BLK & Bold. Since its 2018 start in Des Moines, the coffee has become a nationwide brand, inking in-store deals with big-box brands such as Target, Walgreens, Hy-Vee, Kroeger’s and Whole Foods. The company was founded with the intent to make social impact possible and has earned a Full B Corp Certification.

The company donates 5% of its profits to 15 youth leadership initiatives across the United States. In 2020, BLK & Bold donated to organizations dedicated to urban farming, after-school programs, professional art skills development, higher education preparation and workforce development programs. As part of the NBA deal, the league has committed to matching BLK&Bold’s youth leadership contributions on an annual basis.

“[Domestic social impact] is the only reason why we are in this business in the first place,” Cezar said.

“In the industries we grew up in, lack of representation is real. It’s very real. You look at a large organization and up the corporate ladder, and you see no people that come from the same community as you. Or even if they did, they might not have the same upbringing economically as you. So, there’s a void.”

Cezar credits the College of Business with much of his entrepreneurial foundation. He said the professors on campus were genuine and accessible. And because of small classes, he was able to build personal relationships with many of them.

“The professors are always willing to reach further than you if you reach out first,” Cezar said. “They help mold you ahead of stepping out into your career, preparing you for how you engage with management and those around you after [graduating].”

Going forward, Cezar said BLK & Bold will focus on getting its top-quality BLK & Bold coffee into more hands. That likely means beyond retail, Cezar said. And all of it will be done with the company’s values in mind.

“We want to continue to showcase what a partnership with a domestic-impact focus and black-owned business looks like,” Cezar said. “We’ll continue to work with other major global brands to showcase that. That’s who we are.”