Sponsor Spotlight: Creating Communities with Bongo Java

It’s not an uncommon thought that all of Nashville loves its coffee. After all, “coffee” and “creativity” might as well be synonymous. Our December sponsor, Bongo Java Roasting Company, continues to uphold the cohabiting of coffee and creatives.

Bongo Java Roast Company’s mission is to expand the definition of quality in the Nashville community in how things are not only produced, but also purchased and served—and not only coffee.

Nashville and its businesses are big fans of continuing the creative spirit, encouraging action on dreams and goals. Bongo Java is constantly giving back to the Nashville community, not only in the ways it brews its coffee, but also by donating to fundraising efforts, programs like Creative Mornings Nashville, and in big ways like pledging to give back $10,000 to its employees.

As a part of Bongo Java’s “Dream Grants” 2014 program, employees of Bongo Java were encouraged to submit an application for part of a $10,000 grant to help fund a lifelong dream of their own. We talked to Bongo Java employee, Dillon Smith, about what he did with his grant to get closer to his own creative dream.

“In my case, I have wanted the facilities to record and mix music since I was fourteen. My wife Amy and I had just bought a house with a detached garage for this purpose, so I applied for the Dream Grant with the hope to get a financial boost for the project,” said Smith, Barista Manager in the East Café location.

Smith has worked for Bongo Java at the East Café for four years. The East Cafe is located at Five Points in East Nashville.

“I’ve been the Barista Manager there for a year. That title means I’m in charge of which coffees get served, that brewing equipment is properly maintained, that our baristas meet or exceed company standards, and tons of other details,” said Grant.

Bongo buys all of its coffee organically and works to buy as much of its other products regionally. Bongo’s coffee is almost entirely bought directly from small-scale producers, working to support the Nashville community and Bongo’s mission.

Bongo Java is Nashville’s oldest coffeehouse. The Bongo Java company started as a small coffeehouse in 1993, and quickly grew into five cafes and two wholesale businesses. Included in this list of businesses is Fido, Hot & Cold, Grins Vegetarian Restaurant, Bongo East, and Bongo Java Roasting Company, Bongo Java After Hours Theatre.

Bongo received worldwide attention in 1996 when a cinnamon bun resembled very closely that of Mother Theresa- coined with the term NunBun. Since then, the NunBun has been stolen and never found.

(images via Bongo Java)