On this episode of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we’re joined by Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans of 321 Coffee. These Park Scholars cofounded the coffee company while they were freshmen at NC State with help from their scholarships, the Andrews Launch Accelerator and other sources of private support. The result: a Raleigh-based coffee company that currently employs more than 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 321 has also joined with NC State to produce an officially licensed cobranded coffee.

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A coffee company that has become one of the Triangle's most popular brands has landed a deal with N.C. State University. 321 Coffee, now with four coffee shop locations in the Triangle, employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans founded it in 2017 while students at N.C. State. Wrege and Evans are now partnering with their alma mater to produce the "Greater Good" blend. The medium roast coffee will feature N.C. State branding along with Sam, one of 321 Coffee's first employees and a lifelong Wolfpack fan. The Greater Good will be available starting April 11. A portion of the sales will support N.C. State scholarships.

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NC State University announced today the start of a new partnership with alumni-owned and -operated 321 Coffee to produce an officially licensed co-branded coffee. The “Greater Good” blend will be available for purchase directly from 321 Coffee beginning on April 11, with preorders opening today. The medium roast coffee features NC State branding and barista Sam, one of 321’s first employees and a lifelong Wolfpack fan. A portion of the proceeds from Greater Good 321 Coffee sales will go to support NC State student scholarships in the areas of need, merit, study abroad and athletics.

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N.C. State announced Tuesday that it will partner with alumni-owned and operated 321 Coffee to produce a licensed co-branded coffee. The coffee is called the "Greater Good" blend and will be available to buy from 321 Coffee starting April 11 with preorders starting Tuesday. The university said the medium roast coffee features branding and barista Sam, who is one of 321 coffee’s first employees and a lifelong Wolfpack fan. "N.C. State and 321 are like a second family to me," said Sam. "Having their support means everything."

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NC State and 321 Coffee have teamed up to produce an officially licensed co-branded coffee called "Greater Good." The collaboration is six years in the making - Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans started the inclusive coffee company as freshmen at the university in 2017. The new blend is a medium roast coffee, produced in 321's south Raleigh roasting facility. Its packaging features NC State branding (hi Mr. Wuf) and 321's story.

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NC State University announced Tuesday the start of a new partnership with alumni-owned and -operated 321 Coffee to produce an officially licensed co-branded coffee. The "Greater Good" blend will be available for purchase directly from 321 Coffee on April 11. Preorders can be placed Tuesday.

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As a child, some of Lindsay Wrege's friends had differing abilities. As an adult, she saw that those same friends had difficulties finding jobs that respected and embraced the ways that they could work—if they could even find a job at all. This inspired her to create 321 Coffee,  a coffee shop and roaster built on inclusion. In this episode, learn how she uncovers those abilities and empowers those employees to be the best roasters, cashiers and baristas they can be.

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It may surprise you that we live in a city - and in a moment - where the highest profile positions are held by women. True placemakers, trailblazers and changemakers, these women shape and lead our community while setting the tone and pace for all its denizens—including the women we celebrate on these pages. To honor that remarkable truth and triumph, meet our Women Shaping the Future of Raleigh - an elite cast of local ladies including Lindsay Wrege of 321 Coffee - who are literally helping shape the future of our city.

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Lenovo champions diversity and inclusion through the products and services they provide, the values they foster and through internal practices. Locally, Lenovo takes that effort to a new level with its partnership with 321 Coffee. The Raleigh coffee shop employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to give them an opportunity to thrive in a work environment. "At Lenovo, our mission is to provide smarter technology for all, and we are proud to partner with organizations like 321 Coffee,” said CMO Gerald Youngblood. “We are grateful for this opportunity to implement Lenovo technology in a space where it will make a lasting impact."

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When coffee and tech collide – 321 Coffee is dedicated to creating an environment that enables independence for their team. Lenovo is proud to play in a part in that journey. Check out the technology package that Lenovo contributed to 321 Coffee’s Roasting Facility.

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Triangle Business Journal celebrates the best in Triangle commercial real estate - shining a light on the projects, people and companies that make the Triangle one of the best places to do business. For Top Restaurant Project, we recognize 321 Coffee, a coffee shop that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, opened early in 2022 in Raleigh’s largest urban courtyard at Bloc(83).

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In most ways, 321 Coffee looks like any other trendy café on a busy Saturday afternoon. Sunbeams filter through full-length windows. Pops of turquoise, mustard yellow and scarlet punctuate the shop’s interior. While the drinks and pastries are scrumptious, what sets the shop apart is its deep commitment to inclusivity. By hiring adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and sensory processing disorders, 321 is paving the way to a more diverse and welcoming workforce.

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Today, All Access Live visits with Michael Evans of 321 Coffee. Michael is a co-founder of 321 Coffee, a Triangle coffee shop and roaster that has been employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since its founding in 2017.

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321 Coffee has a mission: including everyone and proving that a disability does not limit you. The North Carolina coffee business 321 Coffee does just that, and the end of 2022 brought them new resources to do so in Durham. Barista Emma Wissink has been with the company since they started. She says every day is a chance to show customers that her disability doesn’t set her back. “It feels amazing to see little kids,” she said. “The moms will say, ‘Hey, that woman has a job and also has IDD,’ so it’s nice to see that the kids have an opportunity to grow.”

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If you're visiting downtown or just exploring, make sure to check out one of these local coffee shops that are located in Downtown Raleigh, N.C. - like 321 Coffee. 321 Coffee isn't your usual coffee shop - according to their website, "321 Coffee embraces diversity to its fullest. We employ over 20 adults with disabilities, and we're working to partner with other businesses to further promote inclusion through a diverse supply chain."

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Lenovo has called North Carolina and the Triangle home for nearly two decades. For Lenovo, home means more than where an office is located. It is where the families of employees and clients live and grow with one another. Lenovo has committed to help expand Raleigh's 321 Coffee, a business that employs more than 40 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lenovo is providing $150,000 to help 321 Coffee open an accessible roasting facility that will support the hiring of more employees.

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We'd like to give a big round of applause to our client 321 Coffee, who was featured on the TODAY Show recently! In the TV spot, TODAY's Craig Melvin shared the mission behind the local coffee shop and how the founders are "brewing change" for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are honored to have produced a bunch of the items shown on the TODAY Show segment! We help make 321 Coffee's T-shirts, hats, polos, mugs, and tumblers.

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When you walk into 321 Coffee, it's likely your pick-me-up will come from more than just the coffee. The all-inclusive coffee shop and roaster employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This season, 321 Coffee is making holiday gift boxes. The customizable boxes include Sophie's dark roast, a tumbler and a T-shirt. They also have a box that includes three different coffees. 

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ICYMI, 321 Coffee opened a new shop in Durham last weekend. The celebration continued yesterday morning when the coffee shop was featured on the TODAY show. Founders Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans gushed about their crew and mission during the interview. The inclusive coffee shop and roastery now has three Triangle locations and employs more than 50 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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Since starting 321 Coffee, the founders have made it their mission to hire a staff made mostly of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. TODAY’s Craig Melvin shares the mission behind the North Carolina coffee shop. Watch closely and you'll see baristas-turned-TV stars Aaron, Emma, Grace, Matthew, Megan, Lucia, Paul, Sam, Shanti, Sophie, and more!

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