The Moji Mission
Moji isn’t your typical coffee shop; they are a shining example of acceptance and opportunity. They provide meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Located on Trade Street in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Moji is a non-profit business established by community leaders and loving parents to provide employment to the IDD community and to show the neighborhood the wonderful contribution they can provide to those around them. At 10% of the population, people with disabilities are the largest minority group in the world.
Moji’s Special Mojo
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**The shop employs 20 to 23 part-time baristas and employees as well as a few supervisors. Most of the leg-work and preparation is done by individuals with developmental disabilities, while the manager and supervisors are employees who have first-hand experience working within the community. Moji offers a full range of espresso and other coffee drinks as well as hot tea, smoothies, and juice. Bottled cold beverages also will be available. Moji will have bagels from Bagel Station (a local city staple and restaurant with strong philanthropic ties) and locally made pastries. O’Brien’s Deli (another local restaurant supporter) supplies cold grab-and-go sandwiches.
Getting Around Moji
Moji Coffee has unisex and handicap accessible restrooms, wide aisles, and handicap accessible tables, counters, entrance, and parking. All of the staff at Moi went through a five-week training program to learn the skills and be proficient in making all the menu items as well as interacting with customers and running the digital register.
Moji Coffee received free assistance from a local branding agency, The Variable, as well. They helped design a logo, mugs, shirts, and other merchandise to sell and help donate back to the Moji mission. Along with that, Twin City Hive Coffee is assisting Moji in the coffee brewing and selling part of the business. With support from the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County School Board, Moji’s lease for the first two years is free to help them get a good start and ensure their success.
Moji: Coffee & More
The idea behind Moji has inspired the whole community at large and local businesses and residents have started showing their support by organizing races and events to help benefit the shop. Moji not only sells pastries and coffee, but they also display and sell art made by local members of the IDD community (called the Moji Museum). They even have rolled sheets of paper, crayons, and art stations throughout the shop to encourage everyone to share an experience.
I loved my experience at Moji. My niece has down syndrome, and knowing that an establishment like this exists to give her opportunities brings joy to my heart. And after visiting Moji once, you can immediately see the joy and excitement the employees will bring to your day. To learn more about Moji, you can view their website.
I’d love to get a piece of merchandise and art, too!
Where I live there used to be small government sponsored kiosks for people with visual disabilities to make a living and promote their sense of accomplishment, unluckily they were shut down after a few years. It would be so nice to have a place like this