Source: Luxiere
Summary
Jamel Stephens, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Enid, Oklahoma, created Afro Pop, a soft drink company that pays homage to the original Black-owned soda company in Oklahoma, Afri Cola, which was established in 1918. Afro Pop’s current product lineup consists of three drinks, sold in vibrant 12-ounce cans designed by local artists. Stephens aims to challenge the beverage market and make Afro Pop more than just a flavor-of-the-month brand.
Our Reading
The habit gets a new name.
Afro Pop is not just a soda, it’s a tribute to Afri Cola, a Black-owned soda company that existed 100 years ago. Jamel Stephens, the founder, is not just a entrepreneur, he’s a lead mixologist who created each of the three flavors. Afro Pop’s cans are not just packaging, they’re a canvas for local artists. And the company’s goal is not just to make a profit, but to change the game.
Afro Pop is just an evolution of Afri Cola, and Jamel Stephens is just a modern-day Percy James, creating an opportunity for Black people to see themselves represented in the beverage industry.
The routine arrives with confidence, but will it stay for long?
Author: Evan Null
