BLK & Bold® broadened its retail reach with Strategic Costco Partnership
May 25 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
BLK & Bold®, the pioneering Black-owned coffee brand, has significantly broadened its retail reach by launching its products in Costco warehouses. Starting May 19, the company introduced its signature Rise & GRND Medium Roast blend in exclusive 2-pound bags tailored for Costco members. The initial rollout spans nine Midwest locations, marking a strategic step in the brand’s nationwide growth.
Since its 2018 founding by childhood friends Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson, BLK & Bold has emerged as a trailblazer in the specialty coffee sector, seamlessly blending premium quality with a robust social mission. As the first Black-owned coffee brand to achieve national distribution, the company allocates 5% of its gross profits to its "For Our Youth" initiative, which has contributed over $450,000 to youth-focused nonprofits since inception.
"Costco’s emphasis on quality, scale, and community aligns perfectly with our values," said Pernell Cezar, Co-Founder and CEO. "This partnership amplifies our core belief that everyday purchases can reflect deeper values—now on a larger platform."
The collaboration arrives as retailers increasingly prioritize diversity and equitable shelf space. Costco’s embrace of BLK & Bold underscores a growing recognition of purpose-driven brands in mainstream retail. Members in Iowa (West Des Moines), South Dakota (Sioux Falls), and Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis, St. Peters, and Manchester) can now purchase the brand’s bold, socially conscious coffee, reinforcing accessibility to ethically crafted products.
To celebrate the launch, BLK & Bold has deployed a targeted digital campaign directing shoppers to a dedicated landing page. Here, customers explore the brand’s mission, engage with product details, and influence future retail locations through feedback. Additionally, a sweepstakes offers participants a chance to win a free Costco membership by sharing their in-store experiences online—a nod to the brand’s grassroots approach to community building.
"Partnering with Costco allows us to connect with values-driven consumers on a deeper level," noted Rod Johnson, Co-Founder and Chief Values Officer. "This isn’t just growth; it’s purposeful expansion."
Already available in over 11,000 locations, including Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods, BLK & Bold’s Costco debut follows high-profile collaborations with Ben & Jerry’s, Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, and Marvel. As a Certified B Corporation, the brand continues to champion ethical sourcing—procuring beans from top global growers—while maintaining its commitment to youth empowerment.
Costco’s membership-based model, renowned for operational efficiency and value, provides BLK & Bold with a unique platform to scale its impact. This partnership not only elevates the brand’s visibility but also reinforces the evolving landscape of retail, where consumer values increasingly shape purchasing decisions.
Founded in 2018, BLK & Bold is a nationally distributed, Black-owned specialty coffee company dedicated to quality and social impact. As a Certified B Corporation, it donates 5% of profits to support at-risk youth through partnerships with nonprofits.
Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a global network of membership warehouses, delivering high-quality products at competitive prices through a streamlined, volume-driven model.