This is Our Story
When we launched Bold and Gritty, we made a conscious effort to do something that builds a legacy. That commitment goes beyond the coffee that we roast and the merchandise that we sell. It is how we go about our daily lives. The Bold and Gritty life is built on the small things that no one sees. The personal challenges and wins that create an indelible impression on the world around us. The stories that we share with each other, and the culture that we embrace. We are a Black-owned coffee-focused lifestyle brand. Founded in Rochester, New York. Read more about our commitment to building community in Rochester, NY. This is our story. Stay Bold. Stay Gritty.
OUR TEAM
David A. Paul, MD, MS - CEO, Founder
Dream it.
With a background in neurosurgery, business and graphic design, David brings the Bold and Gritty narrative to life. He is the visionary behind the brand, a physician by day and night, and the CEO of Bold and Gritty. His primary responsibilities are to define the Bold and Gritty narrative and leverage the brand to highlight stories of Black male success.
Contact: david[at]boldandgritty.com
Instagram: @dpaulmd
La’ren Lauchie-Paul, MBA - Chief Brand Officer
Build it.
With a background in Nonprofit Administration and a Masters of Business Administration, La’ren brings a well-rounded perspective to her role as Chief Branding Officer. Her primary focus is to implement the brand narrative and curate a product assortment that reflects this. She is responsible for developing relationships with small business owners that promote diversity, sustainability and innovation in the industry.
Contact: laren[at]boldandgritty.com
Instagram: @laren_patrice
Amber Stokes, BA - Creative Director
Grow it.
A designer by trade who is passionate about telling stories through visual design, Amber brings a unique skill set to Bold and Gritty. She is responsible for growing the brand through targeted social media platforms. She helps Bold and Gritty push creative boundaries as we share the story of Black male success with the world.
Contact: amber[at]boldandgritty.com
Instagram: @amberrryy
Founded in 2020
Why Bold & Gritty?
Because the story of every generation and every culture deserves to be told.
Because the genius of Black creativity lies in our ability to Boldly express ourselves.
Because Black men are some of the Grittiest people to ever walk the earth. From early Black cowboys and pioneers to Black doctors, engineers and creatives, Black excellence is rooted in our ability to rise above every obstacle that comes our way.
Because Black coffee is Black culture. It is what fuels our mission - to share positive images and promote successful Black Men. With each cup of coffee, you help us tell that story.
Why Now?
David A. Paul, MD, MS is a senior neurosurgery resident and neuro critical care fellow at The University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. He is the founder of Bold and Gritty, LLC, and is a husband, father, son, and avid coffee enthusiast. When a close friend told him that he was the “Grittiest” man he knew – he was inspired to channel that energy into launching a brand focused on highlighting successful Black Men. Bold and Gritty is an entrepreneurial pursuit with social implications – ‘What would it look like if we built a culture around Black male success and cultivated a brand around that image?’
Now more than ever, David feels a sense of urgency to raise awareness around issues of Black mental health and racial equity and to promote the resiliency of Black men. For David, Bold and Gritty is about more than just raising the bar of what is possible and inspiring the next generation, it is about building community – a community that embraces the Boldness and Grittiness of Black men.
A vision for the future…
Bold & Gritty was established as a vehicle to tell the stories of Black men who have persevered against all odds to achieve their wildest dreams and visions – and to normalize their success. The culmination of this project will lead to a coffee book publication that artistically tells this narrative. This is the kind of book a 10-year-old flips through for days on end, tears out a page, and sticks it to his wall saying “I’m gonna be that guy.“
Coffee is what fuels this project and the Bold and Gritty men who fill its pages – It is the medium for which we build community and spread our message to the world more globally. This project, which will largely be funded by proceeds from coffee sales, requires continued funding. It is this project that motivates us to continue pushing the Bold and Gritty brand forward and to develop robust and quality coffee that people want to share with the masses.