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Hip-hop legend 8Ball and his son Lace Wooten are making major moves off the mic by investing in Black-owned Memphis coffee shop and café, CxffeeBlack. The father-son duo recently announced their partnership with the business, continuing to invest in Black entrepreneurship and community building. Read more inside.
CxffeeBlack, founded by Bartholomew Jones and Renata Henderson, is more than just a coffee shop. It’s a movement dedicated to reclaiming coffee’s African roots while fostering economic empowerment for Black communities. The café has gained national attention for its commitment to highlighting Black culture in the coffee industry, an industry that has historically marginalized its African origins.
8Ball, one half of the iconic hip-hop duo 8Ball & MJG, has always been a champion for Memphis culture, and this investment shows his dedication to the city’s growth beyond music. His son, Lace Wooten, is a rising artist and entrepreneur. Wooten is also committed to legacy-building and wealth creation within the Black community. They support CxffeeBlack as a business that aligns with their values of ownership, culture, and innovation.
In an Instagram post announcing the partnership, CxffeeBlack shared photos of 8Ball and Wooten at the café, expressing excitement about the collaboration.
“This is what it looks like when you really invest in your community,” the post read, highlighting the significance of Black artists and entrepreneurs reinvesting in their hometown.
CxffeeBlack’s mission extends beyond serving high-quality coffee. They have launched initiatives like the “Anti-Gentrification Coffee Club,” which creates opportunities for Black baristas and coffee professionals. They also work to educate consumers on the true history of coffee, sharing its deep ties to African culture and labor.
8Ball and Wooten’s investment carries the idea that supporting Black-owned businesses is supporting one another. It also underscores a growing trend of hip-hop artists expanding their influence into entrepreneurship beyond the music. Artists are using their platforms to impact their communities for generations to come.
As the partnership unfolds, fans can expect to see more collaborations and activations between CxffeeBlack and these Memphis icons. This move isn’t more than a coffee shop investment, but it’s about creating a sustainable future for Black business, culture, and ownership in the heart of Memphis.
