At the flagship Opo Coffee roastery cafe in Decatur, Georgia. Photo by Cristina Elena — www.cristinaelena.com @cristinaelena — courtesy of Opo Coffee.
Starting today, Nov. 1, Atlanta-area specialty coffee company Opo Coffee is accepting nominations for a new coffee education and mentorship program for people who might not otherwise have access to quality training.
With a name reflecting the company’s penchant for fierce positivity, the Opo Upside Scholar Program will include Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) coffee skills coursework, one-on-one coaching sessions with industry professionals and specialized barista gear.
Course fees, equipment, and supplies are all being covered by Opo Coffee and numerous program sponsors, including La Marzocco, Espresso Parts, Barista Magazine and Created Co.
“We launched the Opo Training Lab to provide accessible coffee education for Atlanta and the surrounding region — whether for home espresso enthusiasts, baristas at nearby cafes or aspiring coffee business owners,” Opo Coffee Co-Founder and CEO Jonathan Pascual told Daily Coffee News. “I received much of my own coffee education at the Counter Culture Coffee training center here in Atlanta before it closed, but few local resources have offered similar training, and none have ever offered the SCA Coffee Skills Program.”
Opo Coffee, which opened its flagship roastery, cafe and training center in Decatur nearly two years ago, continues to prioritize training and education throughout its coffee operations and programming. In July, Opo hosted its inaugural “Opo ‘No Pro’ Amateur Latte Art Throwdown,” where participants in past latte art contests competed for espresso equipment.
“Now that the Opo training lab is well established, we’re excited to break down financial barriers to coffee education, empowering individuals who may not have had the means or opportunities to pursue a career in specialty coffee,” Pascual said.
Opo Coffee CEO Jonathan Pascual. Photo by Cristina Elena — www.cristinaelena.com @cristinaelena — courtesy of Opo Coffee.
The scholarship program involves a community nomination process, with three tiers of training scheduled through the 2025 year. All tiers include SCA Coffee Skills courses with Authorized SCA Trainers in the Opo training lab in Decatur, plus one-on-one mentorships.
Opo is accepting nominations through Nov. 30 here.
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