Bean to Brew: Exploradora Coffee
Libby Sherwood

My project explores Exploradora Coffee, which is a women-owned business that produces coffee beans only from women growers. Alison and her daughter, Wade, have created a business that embodies the empowerment of women. From the decor in the shop that is created by women artists to the paintings created by Alison’s mother. This project portrays the hard work that these women have done and how successful they have become. Everything that has been done in this business was done with the intention of supporting women. This business goes unnoticed by Oxford, and Alison says she “likes it that way”. Exploradora Coffee sells in bulk to many restaurants we visit often, such as Saint Leo and Snackbar. Through this project, I want to be able to document how much effort has been put into this business for women.

Libby Sherwood is a junior at the University of Mississippi, majoring in Southern Studies with a minor in biology. She is interested in exploring gender equality and community-driven narratives. Libby is passionate about women-owned businesses and spreading awareness for women in need. Her current documentary photography project focuses on Expolradora coffee, a women-owned business in Oxford that sources its beans exclusively from women growers. Libby has explored the process from the soil to the cup of this coffee and how this business began.