MEET OUR FOUNDER

Jack Karuletwa | Founder & CEO

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Jack’s passion for coffee led him back to Rwanda’s green hills and volcanic soil. Right away, coffee’s ability to bring people together became clear. He saw a resilience and spirit he never imagined possible after what the coffee farmers had been through. He witnessed a level of craft that resulted in some of the world’s best Bourbon Arabica beans. From that moment on, Jack’s mission became clear: to help these remarkable farmers take their rightful place on the global economic stage.

Through Silverback Coffee of Rwanda, Jack is paying forward the same hope and opportunities he had. His story, and the story of every one of the farmers he partners with, is one of hope, and yes, the magical power of coffee to wake up an entire nation and help its people live happily ever after.

Silverback Coffee is Proudly Black Owned
Proudly black owned.

MEET OUR FOUNDER

Jack Karuletwa | Founder & CEO

Adversity creates diamonds.

Rwanda’s recent history has been anything but a fairy tale. Decades of persecution and brutal genocide ravaged the country, forcing millions to flee and live as refugees. Our founder, Jack Karuletwa, was one of the fortunate ones. After years of running, he escaped to the US in the mid-90s and built a life and career he could never have imagined. But all the while, Jack’s roots remained firmly planted in his homeland. He knew he had to give back.

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our story

How your morning coffee can also wake up a nation. Silverback Coffee of Rwanda donates a percentage of its profits to organizations that build schools and provide services to widows and orphans of genocide. We’ve also partnered with the Rwandan government to improve the care of the native wildlife and natural resources.

But our mission is much bigger than that. We’re empowering, elevating, and inviting the country’s poorest farmers into the production process – so they can see their value and begin to participate in the global economy. We’re also investing in the care of the volcanic hills the coffee is grown on, preserving it so future generations of farmers can thrive.

Coffee is life. In more ways than one.
Silverback of Rwanda wasn’t just a catchy name we came up with on a whim. Our beans are grown near the endangered Silverback Gorillas’ natural habitat. So, we’ve partnered with the Rwandan government to improve the Silverbacks’ quality of care, ensure their protection, and reinvigorate their population.

“I really admire Jack and Silverback Coffee’s commitment to helping rebuild Rwanda, a cause that’s close to my heart. By donating a portion of their profits, they’re directly affecting the people of Rwanda and the mountain gorillas. In addition to their positive influence, the coffee is amazing.”

– Jack Hanna
Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Host of Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild, and board member of Gorilla Doctors