BD Imports was founded in 1999 as a US based social enterprise focused on importing exceptional quality specialty grade coffees from Kenya. Throughout the company’s 20 year history, BD Imports has sourced coffees and developed relationships throughout east Africa and Latin America with a strong focus on women producers. BD Imports has leveraged its focus on social responsibility and gender equity to expand into roasted coffee with focus on supplying the hospitality industry in North America.
Phyllis Johnson serves as company president is a known advocate for gender equity, diversity and inclusion in coffee and has offered her talents and resources to help advance such causes. In addition to leading programs to build the International Women’s Coffee Alliance Networks in east Africa, BD Imports recently signed onto the UN Global Compact’s Women’s Empowerment Principles during the Commission of Status of Women 63rd session (CSW63) held in New York March 11-22, 2019.
BD Imports recently positioned itself for growth by joining forces with RGC Coffee, a third generation, Canada based, family owned green coffee importer. The collaboration between BD Imports and RGC was born out of a need to build stronger relationships in supplying high quality, sustainable east African coffees.
BD Imports has received numerous awards and recognition, from being featured in Harvard Business School case study, to best practices in engaging women in coffee supply chains by Harvard Kennedy Responsible Business. BD Imports is a proud member of AFCA, National Coffee Association, Specialty Coffee Association, and a certified minority supplier by the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council. The company was named Radisson Hotel Group, 2018 Supplier of the Year, Responsible Business Award.
