When James “Bonny” Mbuya was growing up in Tanzania, trips to visit his grandparents included picking, processing, and roasting coffee beans right on their property. It was the family business but also a treat; a morning with his grandparents meant roasting beans on a pan over a fire, grinding them by hand, and drinking the world’s freshest cup of coffee.
When Bonny moved to Clark County, this lifetime of knowledge came with him. Five years ago, he opened RichlandHub roastery and followed with a cafe in 2022. The company has a social mission: to empower and connect communities while providing exceptional coffee.
At RichlandHub, the focus is on ethically farmed, freshly roasted coffee beans. Bonny works directly with cooperatives and small-scale farmers in Africa, ensuring they receive a fair and stable income. He focuses especially on uplifting and celebrating the women farmers for their contributions.
RichlandHub’s commitment to social good extends far beyond fair wages, though. Through "Project Sharity," they invest profits back into the communities where the coffee is grown. Their first major project is building a medical clinic in Mbeya, Tanzania in a region with a population of 30,000 people and no existing medical facilities. This clinic, which they are building in partnership with local residents and farmers, is a testament to RichlandHub's dedication to making a tangible difference.
The journey of a coffee bean from a tree in Tanzania to a cup in Vancouver is complex, and Bonny is committed to educating customers about the journey their coffee takes. His vision for RichlandHub is to create a place where everyone involved – from the farmers to the consumers – feels connected and understands their contribution to the process. He wants customers to see RichlandHub as more than just a place to buy coffee, but as a community working together to make a difference.
“Together we can go further than just an individual or just RichlandHub staff. It's the entire community. That's the goal. Underneath is something bigger than any of us.”
Beyond their work in Tanzania, RichlandHub is also deeply involved in the uptown Vancouver and the wider Clark County community. They also host events that celebrate local African culture (look out for the RichlandHub Experience in June!).
