Challenging Misconceptions through Coffee:

Privilege extends beyond ethnicity, race, and social status—it also hides within differences in communication style and language. Deaf Can! Coffee is passionately dedicated to transforming perceptions of the Deaf, fostering visibility, and promoting inclusion within the global coffee community.

By providing barista training programs and forming partnerships with local cafes, Deaf Can! Coffee creates valuable opportunities for the Deaf in Jamaica. Their inspiring initiatives demonstrate that the Deaf possess limitless potential.

Javannie Dawes, Head of Marketing, explained.

“There’s nothing different from a deaf person and a hearing person. We can do anything that a hearing person can do…Deaf culture and sign language is so beautiful…we want people to recognize that.”

The Journey Begins:

The inception of Deaf Can! Coffee traces back to an encounter with a remarkable and industrious farmer named Clark. It all began when a group of students from the School of the Deaf in Jamaica, driven by their desire for personal growth, organized a field trip to explore Clark’s coffee farm located in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.

As they ventured into the rural coffee farm, the students were captivated by Clark’s exceptional skills, unwavering passion, and wholehearted dedication in operating his fully manual coffee operation. Witnessing the achievements of Clark as a deaf individual sparked a sense of wonder and inspiration within the students, igniting their own aspirations and fueling a vision to establish a vibrant coffee community in Kingston.

This encounter with Clark marked the beginnings of Deaf Can! Coffee, laying the foundation for a journey driven by determination, resilience, and the unwavering belief that the Deaf community possesses limitless potential. From their humble beginnings in 2015, Deaf Can! Coffee has empowered and transformed the lives of an estimated 100 Deaf persons, making an indelible impact on the coffee industry and fostering a greater sense of inclusivity and possibility for the Deaf in Jamaica and beyond. 

Deaf Can! Coffee: Inspiring Inclusion and Breaking Barriers

Deaf Can! Coffee serves as a remarkable inspiration and a shining example for coffee businesses worldwide. Their visionary approach has created inclusive spaces and invaluable opportunities for both the Deaf and hearing communities to unite through the medium of coffee. Through impactful speaking engagements, they educate students and the public about their training programs and partnerships, fostering connections and building bridges for a brighter future.

Recognizing Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) as a full language, Deaf Can! Coffee aims to dispel any apprehension among hearing individuals, encouraging them to embrace open communication. They continue to challenge barriers and emphasize the importance of treating the Deaf as equals. While JSL may be different, the Deaf Can! team warmly welcomes new customers

and are eager to teach sign language and share their passion for coffee.

Deaf Can! Coffee is transforming the possibilities for the Deaf community in Jamaica and beyond. Their barista training programs and collaborations with local cafes across the island bring visibility and abundant opportunities, opening doors for the Deaf to pursue their aspirations right out of school. With Deaf Can! Coffee, the belief that “if you see it, you can achieve it” becomes a reality, empowering individuals to embrace their potential and thrive.

Javannie, reflecting on their transformative journey, candidly expressed, “We experienced moments of self-doubt and a sense of inadequacy… But Clark, as the first positive Deaf role model we encountered, inspired us to realize that we are capable, and we don’t have to accept the limitations imposed by others.”

Motivated by Clark’s pioneering efforts, the students initially began coffee production on a small scale at their E3 cafe as a recreational endeavor. Gradually, they honed their skills and embarked on the art of roasting, using a modest electric Gene Cafe Red Roaster-1 capable of roasting only half a pound at a time.

As they bagged and sold their own roasted coffee under the name “Top Hill Coffee,” enthusiastic customers offered exceptional feedback, spurring them to continue their coffee-roasting journey. With growing sales, they expanded their business, using the proceeds from bagged coffee to acquire their first espresso machine. Deaf Can! transformed from a mere fun project for the students into a mainstream coffee company.

Participation in the Social Enterprises Boost Initiative training programs (SIBI) equipped them with solid financial principles and marketing support, facilitating their growth. They subsequently launched and successfully marketed their first bottled energy drink.

Javannie emphasized the importance of exposing deaf children to new opportunities, as many lack access and merely need the chance to shine. They credited Clark for their inspiration, admiring his achievements on the farm and feeling compelled to elevate their own endeavors.

According to Javannie, all deaf children require exposure and access. They passionately stated, “Clark provided that for us. We had a void, and Clark helped fill it. We believe it is our responsibility to share that with others.”

Javannie further shared, “In Jamaica, there are deaf children who remain isolated at home because their parents are unaware of their potential. Parents are often driven by fear and the desire to protect. Yet, their deaf child can succeed—the whole world awaits them.”

Experience Deaf Can Coffee First hand.

Presently, Deaf Can! Coffee independently owns and operates four locations and collaborates with 13 other cafes across the island. Notable establishments include Ragga Muffin Cafe on Lady Musgrave Road, Danya’s Coffee Barrel in Kingston, Toyota Coffee House in Kingston and Montego Bay, and Cannonball Cafe.

During your next trip to Jamaica, be sure to carve out some time to support and visit one of the vibrant Deaf Can! Coffee cafes or their partner establishments. Treat yourself to a delightful cup of their coffee, showcasing their passion and dedication. For the latest updates on Deaf Can! Coffee, stay connected with them on Instagram @deafcancoffee. Your visit and engagement will not only bring you a memorable coffee experience but also contribute to the empowerment of the Deaf community in Jamaica and beyond.