Brewing Inclusion: Triangle Businesses Empowering Abilities
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of inclusion and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. In the Triangle area, businesses like B3 Coffee, 321 Coffee and Blawesome are leading the way in creating supportive, inclusive spaces where people of all abilities can thrive. These organizations are not only fostering community connections but also offering meaningful opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to grow socially and vocationally! Here’s how you can contribute:
B3 Coffee, a nonprofit in Chapel Hill, is dedicated to fostering social and vocational opportunities for individuals of all abilities, using the power of coffee to unite people. Their mission revolves around Being, Belonging and Becoming—celebrating the inherent dignity in each person, creating inclusive spaces and advancing positive change. B3 Coffee hosts a range of events aimed at building community, including a weekly Coffee Hour every Sunday at 1 p.m. at their Chapel Hill Public Library kiosk.
Join B3 Coffee as a member and be part of a community that values belonging, inclusivity and empowerment! Whether you’re interested in helping with their pop-up coffee stands, participating in online and in-person socials or engaging in B3 programs, your involvement makes a difference. Everyone is welcome, whether you identify as disabled/neurodivergent or as an ally. Membership is free and commitment-free—our goal is to foster organic connections. At B3, they embrace a “no hierarchy” model where people with disabilities lead at all levels, working together for true equity and inclusion. Learn more!
Blawesome is a Chapel Hill-based flower farm and design studio that combines beauty with purpose. Owned and co-operated by a young man with autism, Blawesome grows over 75 varieties of organic, seasonal flowers, perennials and herbs. Their unique arrangements blend the wild spirit of native flowers with the elegance of cultivated botanicals, creating designs that inspire joy and positivity. Blawesome also embraces a community-building approach, offering wedding packages, custom workshops and even a Good Karma Initiative, where a bouquet is donated to someone in need for every Good Karma Bouquet sold.
Through their Social Care Farming practices, Blawesome uses flower farming as a therapeutic intervention, supporting social, vocational and health outcomes for vulnerable populations. If you’re planning a special event or looking to explore their flower farm through a tour, Blawesome invites you to experience the beauty of both flowers and humanity!
321 Coffee is a coffee shop and roaster based in Raleigh, built on the principles of inclusion and community. The business employs over 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are actively involved in every aspect of operations, from roasting the coffee to taking orders and making lattes. Named after the three copies of the 21st chromosome found in individuals with Down syndrome, 321 Coffee celebrates diversity and uniqueness through its branding and mission. With multiple locations in Raleigh, the company also partners with over 100 businesses to provide coffee, demonstrating the power of an inclusive business model and making a lasting impact on the community.
HANDMeUPs Thrift in Raleigh, a part of ENGAGE NC, provides employment and volunteer opportunities for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The organization creates a supportive work environment where individuals can develop skills, gain confidence and succeed as employees. By donating items, the community benefits from tax deductions and a greener environment, while all proceeds support job creation for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the area. With a mission to create meaningful choices and advocate for this community, HANDMeUPs helps foster inclusion and empowerment. Volunteer opportunities are now available—visit during store hours to learn more!
Part & Parcel is an eco-conscious store in Durham, dedicated to reducing packaging waste and contributing to equitable food systems while embracing neurodiversity through inclusive employment. The store offers a variety of bulk grocery items, home cleaning supplies, personal care products and more, with a focus on locally sourced, eco-friendly options. Operated by CANDOR, a nonprofit serving the community since 2010, Part & Parcel fosters a neuro-inclusive workplace where all employees are valued, respected, and encouraged to bring their full identities. Committed to sustainability, customers are encouraged to bring their own containers to reduce waste, paying only for the products they purchase by weight.
Esteamed Coffee is a nonprofit coffee shop and café located in Cary, dedicated to creating meaningful job and social opportunities for adults with intellectual, developmental, communication and/or visual disabilities. As a 501(c)(3) organization, their mission is to reduce the unemployment rate among adults with disabilities, offering them a warm, supportive environment where they can thrive. They envision a world where these individuals are respected, represented and integrated into every local community. By joining them through donations or volunteering, you can help make a lasting impact and create more opportunities for esteem and employment in our community.