Doug Hewitt and Evelyn Solis at the Berkeley Forum

Doug Hewitt is the co-founder and CEO of 1951 Coffee Company. Doug has worked in the coffee industry for over 15 years as a barista in various locations and as a coffee roaster at Boot Coffee Consulting. Addtionally, he worked at the Oakland office of the International Rescue Committee as an Employment Program Manager and then as the Head of Resettlement for the IRC overseeing 8 Bay Area Counties. In 2015 Doug started 1951 Coffee Company along with former IRC colleague Rachel Taber with the goal of serving as a bridge between employers in the coffee industry and refugees new to the United States who are searching for jobs. Since 2016, 1951 Coffee has provided direct service in barista training and employment counseling to 275 people.

Evelyn Solis is originally from Guatemala. She joined the 1951 Coffee training class in 2020 while looking for a job after high school. Evelyn started working with the 1951 Coffee team in February of 2020 just prior to the pandemic. Since the cafe was slower during that time, she had the opportunity to learn all about the operations of the cafe, online retail, and training program. By the summer of 2021 Evelyn had risen to Lead Barista overseeing the team and coaching our newest baristas. In addition to starting coffee roasting and teaching session in the 1951 Coffee training class, Evelyn has also been investing back into her native Guatemala by purchasing coffee trees to grow her family farm. Evelyn offers a unique perspective as an asylee herself and as leader at 1951 Coffee.

Host or Publisher The Berkeley Forum