The Coffee People Zine Interview - Part One
Our Founder, David Paul was recently interviewed by Kat Melheim of Coffee People ZIne - a specialty coffee publication that focuses on highlighting diverse voices in the industry. In this interview, they discuss the origins of Bold and Gritty - a Black-owned coffee-focused lifestyle brand, David’s relationship to Daniel Prude, and how coffee can be used as a vehicle to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups. This is part one of a two-part series.
Question: You’re a neurosurgery resident, a neurocritical care fellow, a husband and father - what inspired you to start a company, a lifestyle brand, in the middle of everything else?
Answer: I am in my 5th year of neurosurgery residency. Traditionally, the 5th is considered a career building year – a time to breathe a little bit before homing in on your surgical skills as a senior resident. That additional time to breathe was much needed – as I’ve had to deal with and process the deaths of my grandmother to COVID and my cousin, Daniel Prude, to police brutality. In coming to grips with both the fragility and shortness of life – I found my voice – that space where my passion aligns with the brokenness of the world. As a Black man, positive stories told from our perspective rarely find their way into mainstream society and I wanted to be part of cultivating that narrative. As a neurosurgeon, I am uniquely positioned to use my platform to make a positive change in the world – both inside and outside of the operating room. Bold and Gritty allows me to do that.
David A. Paul, MD. Photo Credit: Elbert Foster
Question: Tell me about Bold and Gritty. Where did the name come from?
Answer: Last year, a close friend called me the Grittiest person he ever met, after reading the book “Grit” by Angela Duckworth. I was honored, and at that same time cognizant of those in my circle whom I felt were equally deserving if not more than me of being labeled Gritty. Most of the people that came to mind were other Black men who had overcome tremendous obstacles to reach inspiring levels of success – men who are now surgeons, lawyers, creators, engineers, musicians, and business owners. I wanted to find a creative outlet for telling their stories – and as I thought about ways to define this initial cohort of individuals, the words Bold and Gritty immediately came to mind.
Question: What does it mean to live a Bold and Gritty life? How do you channel this vibe personally?
Answer: 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. For me, this means being intentional about how I show up in the operating room, how I spend my time at home with my family, how I live a life of integrity, and how I use my voice. Pursuing something as Bold as neurosurgery requires a level of discipline and grit that is cultivated over time. It’s not something you just wake up and do. We want to normalize that struggle and highlight people who are putting in the “extra” work to make a difference in the world.
Question: As a young kid you saw a coffee table book that had a big impact on you. Can you tell me more about what that book was, what images you saw, and how it had a lasting impact on you?
Answer: Growing up, my dad collected coffee table books. The one I remember most vividly documented the Black Church experience – with beautiful photographs of families going to church, eating Sunday dinner, and spending time together. The one image that still moves me to this day was that of a father teaching his son how to tie a tie. That image remains imprinted in my mind as a timeless piece of history. In today’s world, we live in a society so inundated with technology that the images we see are often fleeting – forgotten only seconds later. What I was inspired to do, was to create something that will leave its imprint on the fabric of society – to replicate the sense of pride I had when I picked up my father’s book. Our ultimate goal is to illustrate the kind of book that a 10-year will eventually flip through for days on end, tear out a page and stick it to his wall saying, “I’m [gonna] be that guy, I’m [gonna] do what that person does to be successful.” That book will ultimately serve as the final destination for all of the stories that we share on social media and in our packaging.
Question: What are your goals and aspirations through the brand? What do you hope other people get from it?
Answer: Our primary goal as a brand is to tell amazing stories of people doing inspiring things, particularly Black men who have overcome tremendous odds to be successful in life. As a company, we’re striving every day to offer some of the best freshly roasted specialty coffee you’ll ever have – and to build an audience that is conscious about the conversations they have around that cup.
Question: On your Instagram page and website you have gorgeous features of Black men surrounded by beautiful graphics. What inspired this aesthetic?
Answer: The patchwork of bold colors, patterns and imagery brings a cohesiveness to the individual stories in the same way that a quilt brings together varied elements to tell a much broader narrative. This style was heavily inspired by the work of Kehinde Wiley and was further influenced by the likes of Amy Sherald and Jean Michel Basquiat. The intentional use of floral patterns and bright abstract prints brings each subject to the forefront in a way that we don’t typically see Black men. It forces the viewer to reckon with the stark contrast between societal views of black masculinity and values we hold dear as human beings – a process that requires more than a cursory view of each image. Through this lens, the viewer is drawn closer to each individual’s story – which is curated to represent unique aspects of the Bold and Gritty life.
This article was originally published in Issue 11 of the Coffee People Zine. Republished here with written permission. Copies of the zine can be purchased online - all proceeds go towards non-profit organizations that support the coffee community.
