KC’s FairWave coffee pours into the Carolinas with latest small-batch roaster acquisition
April 2, 2025 | Tommy Felts
Joining Midwest-based coffee collective FairWave gives Black & White Coffee Roasters access to the enhanced equipment, resources and network needed to scale the North Carolina business to its potential — while staying true to its values, said Kyle Ramage.
“It’s a natural progression that will allow us to build upon our existing foundation and reach new heights,” the co-founder of Black & White said.
Isaac Hodges, FairWave Coffee Collective, speaks to a group of KU students Friday inside Messenger Coffee in Kansas City’s Crossroads; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Kansas City-headquartered FairWave — a collective that notably includes the Messenger and Roasterie brands — announced Black & White’s acquisition Wednesday. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but the move marks FairWave’s expansion into North Carolina, broadening the collective’s reach within the specialty coffee market.
The alignment in values between FairWave and Black & White — from fostering kind and generous relationships to striving for meticulous excellence in craft — makes the partnership a natural fit, said Isaac Hodges, president of growth at FairWave.
“We are thrilled to welcome Black & White Coffee Roasters to the FairWave Collective,” he said. “Their innovative approach and dedication to pushing the boundaries of specialty coffee align perfectly with our vision. We look forward to learning from their passion and growing together.”
The collective now includes 12 coffee brands across six states — all united by a mission to support and empower local specialty coffee leaders, Hodges said.
“FairWave was founded in the Midwest, and that’s a big part of our story. But, as we’ve grown, we’ve realized what matters most is shared values, which is our commitment to creating authentic coffee experiences that inspire,” he told Startland News. “We’re excited to be building a collective of brands across the country, like Black & White, that share that mission.”
Isaac Hodges, FairWave Coffee Collective, left speaks to a group of KU students touring the Kansas City startup ecosystem Friday from inside Messenger Coffee; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Black & White Coffee Roasters; photo by Jenn Hall Sweatte
Black & White is expected to leverage FairWave’s industry expertise, economies of scale and back-office resources to innovate and experiment, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality experiences, Hodges added.
Founded in 2017 by Barista Champions Ramage and Lem Butler, Black & White Coffee Roasters has earned a reputation for its small-batch, single-origin specialty coffees. Their vision was to make premium coffee experiences accessible to a broader audience.
“I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve built at Black & White,” said Lem Butler, co-founder of Black & White. “We’ve created a unique and accessible elite coffee experience, and I’m confident that this partnership will ensure our team’s continued success.”
Ramage will continue to lead Black & White, focusing on operational improvements and expanding the brand’s capabilities in Raleigh and beyond. Butler, a respected figure in the specialty coffee industry, will no longer continue with Black & White Coffee Roasters and FairWave Collective, but will remain committed to fostering meaningful and ethical contributions to the specialty coffee industry, the companies said.
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